The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1902-11-25
MR.. CLEVELAND ON THE FUTURE
OF DEMOCRACY.

tanned as its principal feature a letter
by Mr.. Cleveland on the outlook for the
Democratic party in the future. 1t is as
follows:
My opinions on political matters are
we'll known, and l should hesitate to
make any further statement were 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 1 say to the Worlds
representative will. l know, be entire
ly free from the outrageous attempts
lately made to represent me as indors-
ing not only undemocratic policies, but
men who have unfortunately gained tenn
poIary Democratic notoriety.
1t seems to me that the Democratic
situation is such as to awaken the salts
faction and hope of every thorough and
consistent Democrat. Our party has GER
tanly regained it's old time fighting con-
dition and recovered the morale that
promises old-time success and prestige.
1 think, however, while we can safe
ly assume that we are not Immediately
threatened with repetition of unDemo-
cratic heresy, there are palpable dangers
to be avoided if the regeneration of De-
mocracy is not to be INSTRUCTED.
The movement toward this rejuvena-
ton tends to q complete abandonment
of our late Welding, to the temptations
of expediency, as against firm ad-
herence to Democratic doctrines
The condition necesstates, in my opin-
ion, both in the enunciation of platform
principles and the selection of candidates,
sturdy and determined march to the
goal of substantial and thorough De-
mocracy In other words, | believe that
if the Democratic party is tempted, IN
der a mistaken apprehension of the
meaning of the revival of true Demo-
cratic sentiment, to stop short of this
goal and temporiZe by presenting to the
people platform principles and candidates
rot entirely in keeping with an absolutely
changed policy it will fail to convice the
people of its sincerity or to satisfy them
that it can safely be trusted.
Such a condition cannot better be de-
scribed than by the homely illustration
of a man sitting down between two chairs.
Such behavior would discourage sincere
and thoughtful Democrats, now hopeful
and expectant, and repel a large indie
pendent contingent who seek relief from
the needless arrogance of the Republican
party.
1t may as we'll be fully understood
that any party promising such relief cam
not calculate that the people are in
the mood to be deceived or cajoled by
tricks of expedency. The movement now.
under way must be pursued with thor
oughness, consistency, and honesty.
There need be no fear that radical
return to the true Democracy is danger
Gus to Democratic success. The history
of the party abundantly shows that it
is only departure from principle and
yielding to temptations Of expediency
that have brought disaster.
The hope of the Democratic party lies
in the inevitable discovery by our people.
of it's benefcent aims and purposes. AL
ready the benefciaries of the high pro-
tective tariff are so reduced in number
and the benefits derived from protection
are so palpably lessened, even as APP
piled to the selfish interests of those
who have heretofore insisted upon it's
continuance that they are inclined to re-
awe with favor the adoption OF the
Democratic doctrine of a tariff for reve-
nue.
The popular apprehension Of the evils
of aggressive expansion and its incom-
patibility with what has always been re-
garded as safe Americanism is constantly
growing and cannot fail TO become in the
near future a most important factor in
the political thought of our people.
The tremendous growth of trusts, the
immense business aggregations. and the
manner in which they stifle healthful
competition and throttle individual en-
terprise cannot pass long unheeded by
the voters of the land. The stupendous
governmental extravaganza that now pre-
walls must be at length appreciated by
the people as not only a drain upon their
earnings and accommodations, but as
most pernicious example. calculated to
undermine the love of wholesome economy
among our citizens.
These topics and others which might
he mentioned, and the abuses connect
ed with them, shou,! be bravely and
uncompromisingly dealt with hy the
Democratic party, as thay all involve
Democratic principles. We hould haze
/ sufficient faith in mo intelligence and
right-mindedness of our coI:ntrymcn to
| arouse a confident anticipation that VIII
| speedily confide the treatment of tneEe
vital questions to tho party which salts
des them of it's intention to deal with
| them in an honest unequivocal, and Ia
| triotic manner
I see only hope and confidence in the
future of the Demo :racy but this hope
and confidence are based on the belief
! that the party will be true to itself
and true to it's profession of devotion
TO the welfare OF the peonle.
GROVER CLEVELAND.