Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1902-11-24
MIR. CLEVELAND.

Mr.. Cleveland has given out a signed
statement on the future Of the democ-
racy in which he says
1t seems to me that the democratic
situation is such as to awaken the salts
faction and hope of every thorough and
consistent democrat. Our party has
certainly regained its old-time fighting
condition and recovered the morale that
promises old-time success and prestige.
think, however, while we can safe
ly assume that we are not Immediately
threatened with a repetition of undemo-
cratic heresy, there are palpable dangers
to be avoided if the regeneration of
democracy is not TO be DISTRACTED.
The movement toward this rejuyena-
ton tends to a complete abandonment
of our late yielding to the temptations
of expediency, as against a firm adher-
ence to democratic doctrines.
The condition necessitates, in my
opinion, both in the enunciation of
platform principles. and the selection of
candidates, a sturdy and determined
march to the goal of substantial and
thorough democracy. In other words,
| believe that, if the democratic party is
tempted, under mistaken apprehension
of the meaning of the revival of true
democratic sentiment, to stop short of
this goal and temporize by presenting to
the people platform principles and cali
didates not entirely in keeping with an
absolutely changed policy, it will fail to
convince the people of its sincerity or
to satisfy them that it can safely be
trusted
Such a condition cannot better be de-
scribed than by the homely illustration
of a man sitting down between two
chairs. Such behavior would discourage
hopeful and expectant, and repel large
Independent contingent who seek relief
sincere and thoughtful democrats, now
from the needless arrogance of the re-
publican party.
1t may as well be fully understood
that any party promising such relief can
not calculate that the people are in the
mood to be deceived or cajoled by tricks
of expediency The movement now
under way must be pursued with thor
oughness, consistency, and honesty.
There need to no fear that a radical re-
turn to the true democracy is dangerous
to democratic success. The history of
the party abundantly shows that it is
only departure from principle and yield
ing to temptations of expediency that
have brought disaster.
The hope of the democratic party lies
in the inevitable discovery by our people
of its beneficent aims and purposes.
the benefciaries of the high pro-
tectiye tariff are so reduced in number |
and the benefits derived from protection |
are so palpably lestened, ieyen as applied
to the selfish interests of those who have
heretofore insisted upon its continuance,
that they are inclined to receive with
favor the adoption of the democratic
doctrine of tariff for revenue.
The popular apprehension of the evils
)f aggressive expansion and its incom-
with what has always been re-
yarded as safe Americansm is constantly
growing and cannot fail TO become In the
lear future a most important factor in
he political thought of our people.
The tremendous growth Of trusts, the
IMMENSE business aggregations, and the
manner in which they stiAe healthful
and throttle individual en-
erprise cannot pass long UNDECIDED by
he voters of the land. The stupendous {
Governmental extravaganza that now &
reyails must be at length appreciated |