The Newberry herald and news. (Newberry, S.C.) 1884-1903, 1902-11-28
GROVER CLEVELAND ON
DEMOCRACY'S FUTURE.
SEES THE STAR OF HOPE RISING ABOVE
THE HORIZON.
Thinks the party Has Regained Its Old
Time Fighting Condition and Can
He for One of Its 0ld-Time
Successes.
from the New York World.

|
Ny opinions on political matters
are we'll known and [ should hesl-
tate to make any further statement
were it not for the urgent solicita-
tion of the World, which is pursuing
| an editorial policy that must, IN my
Judgment, tell for Democratic sue
cess and the public welfare.
Moreover, what say to the
Worlds representative will, I know,
be entirely free from the outrageous
attempts lately made to represent
me as endorsing not only undemo-
cratic politics, but men who have un
fortunately gained temporary Dem
ocratic 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 certainly regained its
old-time fighting condition and re,
covered the morale that promises old
time success and prestige.
I think, howeve, while we can
safely assume that we are not imme-
diately threatened with repetition
of undemocratic heresy, there are
palpsble dangers to be avoided If
the reiuvenation of democracy is not
to be obstructed. The movement
toward this rejuvenatlon tends to q
complete abandonment of our late
yielding to the temptations of e1pe.
diency, as against firm adherence
to Democratic doctrines.
The condition necessitates, in my
opinion, both in the enunciation OF
platform principles and the selection
of candidates, a sturdy and deter
mined march to the goal of substan-
tial and thorough Democracy. In
other words, I believe that, if the
Democratic party is tempted under a
mistaken apprehension of the mean
ing of the revival of true Demo
cratic sentiment, to stop short of
this goal and temporize by present
ing to the people platform, princi-
pies and candidates not entirely in
keeping with an absolutely changed
policy, it will fail to convince the
people of it's sincerity or to satisfy
| them that it can safely be trusted.
Such a condition cannot better be
described than by the homely illus,
tration of man sitting down be-
tween two chairs. Such behavior
would discourage sincere and
thoughtful Democrats now hopeful
and expectant, and repel large in
dependent contingent who seek re-
lief from the headless arrogance of
the Republican party.
It may as we'll be fully understood
that any party promising such re-
lief cannot calculate that the people
are in the mood to be deceived OF
cajoled by the tricks of expediency.
the movement now under way must
be pursued with thoroughness, con
sistency and honesty. There need
be no fear that a radical return tc
true Democracy is dangerous toDem.
ocratic success. The history of the
party abundantly shows that it is
only departure from principle aud
yielding to temptations for expe
diency that have brought disaster.
The hope of the Democratic party
lies in the inevitable discovery by
our people of its benefcient aims
and purposes. Already the beneG
Charles of the high protective tarlf
are so reduced in number, and tn
benefits derived from protection ar
so palpably lessened, even as applied
to the selfish interests of those who
have heretofore insisted upon it
continuance, that they are incline'
to receive with favor the adoption o
the Democratic doctrine Of tariff
for revenue.
The popular apprehension of tn
evils of aggressive expansion, an
its incompatibility with what has al
ways been regarded as safe Amer
, canism, is constantly growing an
cannot fail to become, in the nea
, future, a most important factor l
the political thought of our peopl'