New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-07-21

week ex-Presidant Cleveland has an article en-
titled Steady. Democrats. Steady" 1t is as
follows:
Copyright 1904. by Golfers weekly1
II sometimes. during the past week. those
most earnestly and prayerfulIy solicitous for
( the complete restoration Of the Democratic
party TO health and sanity have felt depressed
by certain convention incidents relating the
money question, it is certainly time for
thern and for all who love true Democracy TO
calmly survey the situation it appears since
the dust and sTelter of convention controversy
+ nave passed away.
such a survey is full of congratulation and
hope. In the first place it creates the assur-
ance that the national Democracy as an or
ganization has been freed from the financial
delusions that have made il weak and mas en-
/ tered upon a period of old time vigOr and
/ strength. This is too apparent for denial No
ACTON OF democracy representatives assembled
IL the late convention can be construed in any
other way than as an acknowledgment of the
establishment of the gold standard and will
/ ing pledge TO its maintenance This condition
should of itself be sufficient to fill our meas
ure OF satisfaction to cause to forget any
during the days just past.
7 do not overlook the fact that two clear
and unimpeached verdiCts of the people stand
recorded in favor of the gold standard, and that
Its perpetuity has been secured by federal enact
ment; but l insist that, in refusing 10 indulge
any further free silver or double standard
Vagaries. the convention did not, on account Of
existing conditions, merely make a virtue of
necessity, but that II voiced instead, actual
and wholesome change in sentiment among the
rank and file OF Democracy. Herein is found
abundantly sufficient cause for gratitude and
congratulatlon on the part Of all those who love
true Democracy. l want to go further than this.
ana 10 express a reVerent belief that certain
convention occurrences, apparently untoward.
nave worked together for Denocracys good,
and that q happy outcome has been reached
through leading wiser and more certain than
the Wit of man could have devised. Senator
Tillman and l have occasionally differed; but
nope he will take offence If I applaud and
give hearty concurrence to his expression Of
lief fha- F1T-oy-f al p-1 has ak
hold affairs"
OF course it would have been a matter of
great satisfaction 10 those of US who have al
ways been unyielding and insistent gold stand
ard Democrats il we could have had a deClara-
ton In the platform committing our party IN
dlstlnct terms 10 the acceptance and constant
defence and maintenance OF the gold standard
not because Of an unexpected increase in gold
production, but on grounds Of economic wis
dom and national honor. AS protestations OF
affection never fatigue. hose who supreme
" love a safe standard for our people's money
cannot hear too often that the gold standard
is immutab big fixed Nevertheless, original
proposition, such platform assurance was not
necessary either on sentimental grounds or to
make geld standard conditions more certain
They were as InChangeably settled as they
could be-with or without platform declaration.
It must he confessed. however. that forbid
ding portents were seen IN the Democratic sky
when a platform deliVeranCe intended to pass
as a recognition and approval of the gold stand
ard was rejected after discussion In the plat
form committee. leaving no substituted ex-
preston OF any kind, in its place and when.
thereupCn. platform containing no references
TO the gold standard was approved ny the con-
Vent;On.
The trepidation and disappointment which i'm
mediately supervened among the masses or the
eXpectant Democracy did not arise from the
mere absence OF any statement concerning the
gold standard but il represented a perfect and
perhaps instructive realization OF the confusion
and nisapprehenson caused among themselves
and the immense advantage given 10 their po!it-
icai enemies by proposing. in fashion, 10 de-
clare for the gold standard and after discussion
refusing TO do so.
At this critical moment the appeared and
scattered every evil portenL In this time OF fear
and gloom a leader came To the Democratic
hosts. \ quiet, able reserved man had been Sc
lected as the DemoCracy's candidate for the
Presidency His sterling and constant adher-
ence TO party had been fully avOuched that II
was nearly supposed that no action OF the
ganiZation would provoAe his protest. And now,
while the Democratic rank ard file trembled and
waited. the voice OF this quiet reserved. and
able man rang out above all convention clamor,
drowning the roysterous hum OF convention
diplomacy. In tones OF authority and leadership
the message went forth:
Il regard the gold standard as firmly and II
revocabIy established. and shall act accordingly
If the action Of the convention to-day shall be
ratified by the people As the platform Is silent
the subject. my view should be made known
TO the convention. and II II Is proved 10 be I'm
satisfactory 70 thee majority. I request you to
decline the nomination for me at once that
a. B. PARKER"
Those Democrats who have been impatient OF
the silence OF their party's candidate ought 20
be satisfied with the effectiveness OF his first
utterance. II nl!ed the plank IN q disabled pat
form IL gave leadership 10 the Democratic
cause. and rallied supporters by thousands and
tens OF thousands 10 the Democratic standard
To these must be added another wonderful &C
complishment 10 which this utterance gave OPP
portunity. When In response TO the message OF
it's chosen candidate the convention proposed to
give him assurance that the sentiments OF the
convention and the meaning Of its platform were
in accord with his expression. and in effect 10
make his message part Of the platform. vote
on the passage OF a resolution embodying these
propositions disclosed the fact that out OF a
total of $50 only 19l could he counted In
the negative. This vote furnished the best. II
not the only, opportunity offered during the con-
tinuanCe OF the convention TO demonstrate how
overwhelmingly sound its members were In sup
port OF the gold standard: and its result cannot
I gratefully believe, be otherwise construed than
as indicating the elimination Of financial error
as a disturbing influence in Democratic councils
The national Democracy enters upon the cam
paign not in gloom and fear. but in hope and
confidence.
believe that no man did much for the
cause and in so many directions, in so short
time and IN compact form. was done by
our candidate when he sent his message 10 the
ST Louis convention. He has reminded all who
profess Democratic principles that they also
have work 10 do II they, like him, would do the
patriotic political duty the time demands.
Let the Democratic lines be steadied every
point; and let our splendid leadership be fol-
lowed with genuine DEM cratic zeal and stub
bornness.