Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1902-10-15
Former President Cleveland on the
Political Situation.

To Il representative of the New
York Evening Post who asked him
his views in regard to the outlook for
and the duty of the democracy in the
approaching congressional elections.
former President Grover Cleveland
said:
1T seems to me that If the democ-
racy is really in earnest il cannot fail
largely TO increase its representation
in the next congress. but in order Ia
do so | think that there must be Il
onstant and stalwart insistence upon
the things which are recognized by
all to be true democratic doctrines.
"Of course by far the most impor-
tant of these is tariff reform. On this
issue | am satisfied that the democ-
racy * face to face with a great OPP
portunity. All of the signs of the
times point to Il recognition. far be-
yond all party lines. of the benefits
which would accrue to the people by
REIMBURSEMENT of the tariff. and it
would be worse than folly for the
party. under the stress of any temp
tation or yielding to any allurement,
To permit this to be subordinated to
or overshadowed by any other issue.
The present restlessness in republi-
can circles on this subject. often
amounting to- protests against repuh
lican protective theories. should warn
the democracy of an impending dan
ger.
Il mean by this the possibility that
our opponents may crowd us from
our position on this subject if we al
I,.I
ness and Indifference. and to occupy
our ground. just as we permitted
them To crowd us from the ground
that belonged to us ON the question
of sound money.
Il am very much pleased with the
deliverance of the New York demOc
racy on the tariff issue. and it was
fit and proper that the Empire state
should sound the right note. 1t is
my clear conviction that the best as
Surance of success for the democracy
i'm the next national campaign will be-
found in sincere and unremitting
insiStence upon its old-time doctrine
of a fair and beneficent tariff read
iustment. This insistence should b"
from now on.
1T need hardly be said that success
will depend upon the presentation of
tariff doctrine, not only recognized
as truly democratic by those who
may be termed veterans i'm the par
~. but also commenting itself to the
hosts of the younger men of our land.
Thousands of these await the oppor-
tunity to espouse a cause which must
appeal to DISTINGUISHED love of coun-
L, =,
full regard of the institutions under
which we live. To these young men
no hope is offered for the realization
of their patriotic aspirations except
through the conscientious endeavors
of the democratic party.
Il am at a loss to understand by
what process of reasoning the notion
has gained a footing in certain demo-
cratic quarters not only that no inn
portance attaches to a democratic
in the next house of rep
resentatives. but even that it might |
be advantageous to party prospects |
in 1904 for it to continue in its pres |
ent minority now.
political warfare ought to be re
garded as continuous. and. If the re
suits battled for are worth having 1t
all. they are worthy of our best eff |
forts at all times and under all cir
Constant vigilance and
attack are essential to
victory. Armies are captured by first
driving in the outposts.
II cannot believe that the bright |
prospects of the democracy in the |
present campaign are to be married |
by any lack of hard work and siren |
uous fighting"
The keynote of the eX-president's |
and advice is that the |
democratic party should make the |
best of the opportunity which is here.
And it applies to the party the coun-
try over