Waterbury Democrat., 1902-06-20

| e&rrts to bring about a reunion of the | Democratic party seem to have met with a measure of success William J. | Bryan was to have attended, but 1 though his invitation was sent by reg | istered letter the clubs committee has 1 had no reply from him.
 1 MT. Cleveland appeared for the first | time at political meeting since his re- tirement from public office in 1897. Ha
 had some interesting things to say in | an interview before he addressed the reconciled Democratic clans, in which he said he thought Richard Olney
 would fill the office of president of the United States, should he be nominated
 and elected. in an able manner.
 MT. Cleveland refused to answer l questions put to him with regard to his possible candidacy for third term.
 He did say, however that he did not regard third terms with favor
 The ex-president was warmly greet
 ed and spoke as follows:
 Il have been urged to participate in 1 this occasion by those who have as sured me that this handsome structure 1 is to be dedicated tonight to the re mobilization and consolidation of the democratic party. under the inspira- tion of a name which during the days of democratic strength and achieve
 ment was honored in every democratic household. Such an assurance made to one who followed with hearty devo- tion the leadership of Samuel J. Til den when living, and who has since found in his career and fame the high est incentive to democratic Steadfast-
 ness, could hardly fail to overcome the temptations of my contented retire ment from political activity. Per haps there are those who would define my position as one of punishment in-
 stead of retirement Against this I shall not enter a protest. It is suf- ficient for me in either case that have followed in matters of difference
 within 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 therefore be ex- pected of me. I have none to make:
 nor do crave political absolution. I am here to take counsel with others protesting the same party faith, con- corning the democratic situation. I
 suppose we are all convinced that this
 situation might be improved; and
 some of us may think it is perilously
 undermined Whatever the measure
 of it's impairment may be, our condi- tion as an organization cannot be i'm
 proved by calling each other harsh
 names. nor by inaugurating a system
 of arbitrary prescription and banish-
 ment The members of a business
 ;o1 h ar.,o
 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 com munity by recriminations and quar-
 rels; nor will any members of the~frm
 aid in it's restoration to solvent strength by an angry insistence upon
 continuation of the business methods which have invited it's embarrassment
 "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 MT
 Tilden was elected president Then and afterwards northern democratic states were not rare curiosities; north ern democratic senator's now practi- cally extinct, were quite numerous, and northern democratic governors, now almost never seen, frequently en- countered.
 If this state of impairment exists, an instant duty presses upon the man. agers of the democratic establishment; and one which they 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 enthusi- astic battle than now, if we can only be marshaled outside the shadow of