The Van Buren press. [volume] (Van Buren, Ark.) 1859-1914, 1902-10-18
|OU|U)Ok FOR DEMOCRACY.
Ex-President Cleveland Gives His
Views On the Coming Con-
gressional Elections.
TARIFF REFORM STILL HIS KEYNOTE.
lie Thinks II the Democracy
Promptly Grnsps IL as an Issue
the Party Can Not Fail to Largely
Increase Its Representation in
Congress.

New York Oct, Ito representa-
tive of the Evening post, who asked
him his views in regard to the out
look for and the duty of the dem
ocracy in the approaching congress
sional elections, eX-President Grover
Cleveland said
st seems to me that if the democ-
racy is really in earnest, it can not
fail largely to increase it's represents
ton in the next congress, but in or
der to do so, think that there must
be constant and stalwart insistence
upon the things which are recognized
by all to be true democratic doe
trines. OF course, by far the most
important of these is tariff reform.
On this issue | am satisfied that the
democracy is face to face with a
great opportunity. All the signs Of
the times point to recognition, far
beyond all party lines, of the bene-
fits which would accrue to the people
by readjustment of the tariff, and
it would be worse than folly for the
party, under the stress of any temp
tation or yielding to any allurment,
to permit this to be subordnated to
or overshadowed by any other issue.
"The present restlessness in repub-
ican circles on this subject, often
amounting to protests against repub-
ican protective theories, should warn
the democracy of an impending dam
ger. mean by this the possibility
that our opponents may crowd us
from our position on this subject II
we allow them 20 do so by our luke
warmness and indifference, and to oc-
cupy our ground, just as we permitted
them to crowd us from the ground
that belonged to us on the question
of sound money. / am very much
pleased with the delverance OF the
New York democracy on the tariff
issue, and it was fit and proper that
the Empire state should sound the
right note.
ut is my clear conviction that the
best assurance of success for the
democracy in the next national com
paign will be found in sincere and
unrcmittng insistence upon its old
time doctrine on fair and beneficent
tariff readjustment. This insistence
should be from now on. II need hard
" be said that success will depend on
the successful presentation Of the
tariff doctrine, not only recognized as
truly democratic BY those who may
be termed veterans In the party, but
also commencing itself to the hosts
Of the younger men OF our land.
| Thousands of these await the oppor-
| tunity to espouse q cause which must
appeal TO disinterested love of coun-
try, and which is based upon the
thoughtful regard of all our people
and the safety Of the institutions UNI
der which we live. TO these young
men no hope Is oilered for the realiZa-
ton of their patriotic aspirations ex-
cent through the conscientious en-.
deayors of the democratic party.
81 am at loss to understand by
what process Of reasoning the nation
has gained footing in certain DEM
ocratic quarters, not only that no inn
portance attaches to II democratic
nscendancy in the next house OF rep
rcsentatives, but even that " might
be advantageous to party prospects
IN 1904 for il to continue In It's pres
ent minority now. Political warfare
ought TO be regarded as continuous
and, If the results battled for are
worth having at all, they are worthy
of our best efforts at all times, ana
under all circumstances. Constant
vigilance and unrelenting attack are
essential to victory, Armies are cap
turcd by first driving In the out
posts.
81 can not believe TINT the bright
prospects OF the democracy In the
present campaign are TO be marred by
any lack of hard work and strenuous
| nphtmp."