The citizen. (Frederick City, Md.) 1895-1923, 1902-11-28
Mr.. Cleveland on Democracy

said
My opinions on politacal mat
tiers are well known, and | should
hesitate to make any further
statement where it not for the
urgent solicitation of the World.
which is pursuing an editorial
policy that must, in my Judgment
tell for Democratic success and
the public welfare.
Moreover, what | say to the
W0ridS representative will, !
know, be entirely free from the
outrageous attempts lately made
TO represent me as indorSing not
only undemocratic policies. but
men who have, unfortunately
gained temporary Democratic
notoriety.
1t seems To me that the Demo
cratic situation is such as to
awaken the satisfaction and hope
of every thorough and consistent
Democrat Our party has Ger.
tainly regained its old time fight
ing condition, aud recovered the
morale that promises old time
success and prestige.
think, however, while we can
safely assume that we are not i'm.
mediately threatened with re-
petition of undemocratic hereSy.
there are palpable dangers to be
avoided, if the regeneration of
Democracy is not to be obStruct-
ed. The movement toward this
regeneration tends to a complete
abandonment of our late yielding
to the temptations of eXpediency,
as against a firm adherence to
Democratic doctrines.
The condition necesSitateS, in
my opinion. both in the enuncia-
ton of platform principles and the
selection of candidates. a stedy
and determined march to the
goal of substantial and thorough
Democracy. In other words, |
believe that, if the Dem )cratic
party is tempted. under a mis-
taken apprehension of the mean
ing of the revival of true Demo
cratic sentiment. to stop short of
this goal, and temporize by pre-
senting to the people platforms,
principles and candidates not en-
tirely in keeping with an absolute
ly changed policy, it VIII fail to
convince the people Gifts sincerity
or to satisfy them that it can safe
ly be trusted.
Such condition cannot better
be described than 10y the homely
Illustration OF man sitting down
between two chairs. Such behav-
ior would discourage sincere and
thoughtful Democrats now hope
full and eXpectant, and repeal
large independent contingent who
seek relief from the headleSs ar
rogance of the Republican party.
1t may as we'll be fully under.
stood that any party promising
such relief cannot calculate that
the people are in the mood to he
deceived or cajoled 10y the tricks
of eXpediency. The movement
now under way must be pursued
with thoroughneSS, consistency
and honesty. There need be no
fear that radical return to true
Democracy is dangerous to
Democratic success. The history
Of the party abundantly shows
that it is only departure from
principle and yielding to tempta-
tons of eXpediency that have
brought disaster.
The hope of the Democratic
party lies in the Inevitable dis
covery by our people gifts heneti
cent aims and purposes. Already
the beneticiarieS of the high pro.
.ective tariff are so reduced in
number, and the benefits derived
from protection are so palpably
esSened, even as applied to the
selfish interest of those who have
heretofore insisted upon its con.
that they are inclined
to receive with favor the adoption
Of the Democratic doctrine of a
Tariff for revenue.
The popular apprehension of
the evils of aggressive expansion,
and its incOmpatibility with what
has always been regarded as safe
is constantly grow
ing, and cannot fall to become,
in the near future, most impor-
tant factor i'll the political thought
of our people.
The tremendous growth of
trusts, the immense business ag-
gregatiOns and the manner in
which they stife healthtul COM
petition and throttle individual
enterprise cannot long pass I'M
needed by the voters of the land.
The Stupendous Governmental ex-
that now nrpvails