The semi-weekly messenger., 1902-12-02
Mr.. Cleveland on the Future of
Democracy.

| The New York World or sunday con-
tanned As its principal feature letter
by Mr. Cleveland on the outlook for the
democratic party in the futur- II in as
follows:
Ny opinions On political matters are
well known. and 1 should hesitate to
make any further statement were II
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 I say TO the Worlds
representative viii. / know. be entire
ly free from the outrageous attempts
lately made TO represent me as indors-
ing not only undemocratic politics. but
men who have unfortunately gained
temporary democratic notoriety.
1t seems TO me that the democratic
situation is such as tn awaken the salts
faction aud hope OF every thorough and
consistent democrat. Our party has GER
tainly regained its old-time fighting con-
idition and recovered the morale that
promises old-time success and prestige
think, however, while we can safe
ily assume that we are not Immediately
threatened with repetition OF undemo-
Icratic heresy, there are palpable dan
gers 10 be avoided if the rejuvenation
lof democracy is not 10 be obstructed
The movement toward rejuvenatiJn
tends TO complete abandonment OF OIL
ilatA yielding 10 the tempta tions OF ex-
pediency, as against a firm adh aremce
10 democratic doctrines
hA
opinion, both in the enunciation OF
platform principles and the selection =
candidates. sturdy and determined
march 10 the goal OF substantial and
ithorouPh democracy. In other words.
Il believe that if the democratic party
rs temnted. under mistaken appre-
lnenslon OF the meaning of the rev!-
wal CT true democratic sentiment 20
stop short of this goal and temporize
by presenting TO the people platform
principles and candidates not entirelv in
keeping with an absolutely changed
Ipollcy, 1t Will fail to convince the p41-
lple of its sincerity or TO satisfy them
that 1t can safely be trusted
Such condition cannot better be de-
Iscrlbed than by the homely illustration
Iof man sitting down between two
chairs Such behavior would discour-
age sincere and thoughtful democrats
now hopeful and expectant, and repeI
a large independent contingent who
seek relief from the needless arrogan"e
Iof the republican party
1t may as we'll be fully understood
that any party promisin" such relief
cannot 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
consistency, and honesty.
There need be no fear that a radical re-
turn to the true democracy is dangerous
to democratic success. The history Of
the party abundantly shows that il is
only departure from principle and yield
ing to temptations of expediency ,hat
have brought disaster.
The hope of the democratic party lies
i'm the inevitable discovery by our peo-
pie of its beneficent aims and purposes
ALREADY the beneficiaries of the high
protective tariff are so reduced in num-
Der and the benefits derived. even as ap-
piled to the selfish interests of those
who have heretofore insisted upon is
continuance, that they are inclined 10
receive with favor the adoption of the
democratic doctrine of tariff for reve-
nue..
The popular apprehension Of the evils
of aggressive expansion and it's incom-
patibility with what has always been re
garded as safe Americanism is con-
stantly growing and cannot fail to be-
come in the near future a most impor-
tant factor in the political thought of
our people.
The tremendous growth of trusts. the
immense business aggregations and the
manner in which they stifie heaIthful
and throttle individual en-
terprise cannot pass long unheeded by
the voters of the land. The stupendous
governmental extravaganza that now
must be at length appre lid -el
by the people as not only a drain upon
their earnings and accumulate but
as most pernicious example, calculat-
ed to undermine the love Of wholesome
economy among our citizens.
These topics and others which might
ed with them, should be bravely and
uncompdomisingly dealt with by the
democratic party, as they all involve
democratic principles. We should have
sufflclent faith in the intelligence and
Of our countrymen 20
arouse confident anticipa ton that will
speedily conflde the treatment of these
vital questions to the party which salts
hes them Of its intention to deal with
them in an honest, unequivocal, and
patriotic manner.
l see only hope and confidence in the
future of the democracy; but this hope
and confidence are based on the belief
that the party will be true TO itself and
tru~ to its profession of devotion TO the
welfare of the people
GROVER CLEVELAND
a Thanksgiving Dinner.