The Montgomery advertiser., 1904-02-21

| Reproduced from The Saturday Even-
 ing Post by courtesy of the Curtis Pub i fishing Company, Philadelphia
 I desire at the outset to indicate the | standpoint from which I address few | words to those who are interested in | Democratic prospects.
 More than three years ago, in con- I tribution to The Saturday Evening Post. | after referring to the disasters that hao l overtaken the National Democracy, l l pleaded for a better recognition by the organization of the rank and file of the l party, who were undismayed by defeat, | still staunch in their devotion to our | time honored principles, and still eager l to fight for their supremacy under trust l ed leadership. I then claimed no higher position in party direction than a place among those composing the rank and file; but writing after a second deplora- ble Democratic rout invited by fatuous
 persistence in new and strange party councils. I attempted to describe the dis position of those who bear the brunt of party battle in these words: "Our fight ing forces will respond listlessly and falteringly if summoned to a third de- feat in a strange cause; but if they hear the rallying call of true Democracy they will gather for battle with old-time Democratic enthusiasm and courage"
 Great changes have occurred since this was written-changes full of party en- couragement and full of inspiration to conscientious Democratic duty; and be- cause of these changes am asking my rank-and-file associates to indulge me again while, through a medium which reaches thousands of American homes, speak of better days for Democracy and safer days for our country. If any word of mine shall, in the least degree, awaken the hope of hearing again "tae rallying call of'true Democracy" and thus arouse
 fold-time Democratis enthusiasm" shall be content.
 am one of those who believe that there is an opportunity for Democratic success In the coming Presidential cleo tion.
 Though attachment to the party IT. which am enlisted and an intense de- sire for it's ascendancy make such be- lief exceedingly welcome. they certainly do not credit 1t. It is clearly kept in view and neither evaded nor mystified. At the same time, we need not by silence leave those ignorant or needless of party tendencies in doubt as to the disposition and sympathies of the Democratic party concerning any question affecting the common welfare of our people. nor give the least pretext for uncertainty in any quarter as to our eager determination to set in motion every available agency for the correction of abuses that, threaten the peoples prosperity and protection.
 The topics thus far referred to in con- nection with the message of Democracy to the people are such as are more or less familiar to us: and their mention may suggest others of like complexion built upon an unshaken and abiding trust In the patriotism and intefligence of my fellow-countrymen. This trust will not permit me to overlook the meaning of the daily increasing unrest among our people, growing out of the startling and fippant abandonment by the party in power of our national traditions and maxims, it's disregard of our national moral restraints, its inconsiderate tendency to set aside national good faith. its willingness to break away from safe and accustomed moorings. and its contemptuous neglect of our national mission Surely these con.