The Washington times., 1902-06-20
(Continued from First Page.)

fCOntlnNed from flSt Iage-D
president of the club, called the meet
ing to order. He greeted the members
of the club and its guests. and then said
that he would introduce the most emil
nent Democrat of the day. the Only liv-
ing ex-President of the United States,
Mr.. Grover Cleveland
Mr. Cleveland stepped on TO the low
platform. amid great cheers. and it was
a minute or so before he could speak.
Nj. Cleveland Speaks.
Mr.. Cleveland said in part:
"I'have been urged to participate in this
occasion by those who have assured me
that this handsome structure is to be ded
icated tonight 10 the rehabilitation and
consolidation Of the Democratic party
under the inspiration of a name which,
during the days of Democratic strength
and achievement, was honored in every
Democratic household. Such an assur-
ance made to one who followed with
hearty devotion the leadership of Samuel
J. Tilden when living, and who has since
found in his career and fame the highest
incentive to Democratic steadfastness,
could hardly fail to overcome the tempta
tions of my contented retirement from
political activity.
Perhaps there are those who would
define my position as one of banishment
instead of retirement. Against this l
shall not enter protest. Ii is sufficient
for me. in either case, that / have fol-
~
our party, the teachings and counsel of
the great Democrat in whose name party
peace and harmony are tonight invoked.
No confession of party sin should there
fore be expected of me. / have none to
make, nor do ] crave political absolution.
Present to Take Counsel.
81 am here to take counsel with
others processing the same party faith.
concerning the Democratic situation. l
suppose that we are all convinced that
this situation might be improved, and
some of us may think it perilously
undermined. Whatever the measure Of
its impairment may be. our condition
as an organization cannot be improved
by calling each other harsh names, nor
by inaugurating a system of arbitrary
THE members of a business firm in
financial embarrassment should not sit
down and look in each others faces IN
mute despair; neither will they regain
financial soundness or the confidence of
the business community by recrimina
tion and quarrel; nor will any members
of the firm aid in its restoration to
solvent strength by an angry insist
ence upon a continuation of the busi-
ness methods which have invited its en-
barrassment.
Politically Solvent.
1.-The Democratic party is very far
from political insolvency; but no one
here should be offended by the sugges-
tion that its capital and prospects have
suffered serious injury since Mr.. Tilden
was elected President. Then and after
ward Northern Democratic States were
not rare curiosities, Northern Demo-
cratic Se1ators-now practically ex-
tinct-were quite numerous, and North
ern Democratic governors. almost now
never seen, were frequently encount-
cred.
IF this state of impairment exists,
an instant duty presses upon the man
ayers of the Democratic establishment
and one which hey cannot evade with
honor. Those of us less prominent in
the party-the rank and file-are long
ing to be led through old Democratic
ways to old Democratic victories. We
were never more ready to do enthusias-
tic battle than now. If we can only be
marshaled outside the shadow OF pre-
destined defeat.
is it too much to ask our leaders to
avoid paths that are known to lead to
a icac t.rr Tc 4 IN c=tY hat
proTen errors be abandoned and that we
be delivered from body OF death and
relieved from the burden of issues which
have been killed by the DEGREES OF the
American people? Ought we not to be
fed upon something better than the
husks of defeat?
IF these questions are met in an hon.
est. manly fashion, believe it will be
productive of the best kind of Demo-
cratic harmony.
Handling New Issues.
I'm dealing with new issues we of the
Democratic faith are extremely fortu-
nate in the simplicity of Democratic
standards and the ease with which new
questions can be measured by these
standards.
"A party based upon care for the in
terests of all the people as their aggre-
gate condition demands, with no unjust
favoritism for any particular class; a
party devoted to the plan of popular
government as our fathers ordained IL.
and for the purposes which they sought
to establish; a party whose conserva-
tism opposes dangerous and un-Amer-
lean experiences and yet puts no barrier
in the way of genuine and safe progress,
ought to be able to deal with lew ques-
tions in a manner quite consistent with
Democratic doctrine, and stimulating
TO Democratic impulses and instincts.
LET US not forget, however, that It
is not in the search OF new and gaudy
Issues, not in the Interpretation OF
strange visions. that strong and heal
thy Democracy displays its splendid
power. Another party may thrive on the
ever shifting treatment of the ever
shifting moods Of popular restIessness,
or by an insincere play upon unreason-
ing prejudice. and selfish Anticipation
but the Democratic party-never.
Doctrines Of Democracy.
Democracy has already in store the
Doctrines for which il fights its sue
cessful battles; and 1t Will have them
in store as long as the people are kept
from their own, and Just so long as
their rights and interests are sacrificed