Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 22, Number 29, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 28 December 1900 — CLEVELAND POINTS THE WAY. [ARTICLE]

CLEVELAND POINTS THE WAY.

Tells Democrat* a Return to the Old Faith Is Necessary. Former President Grover Cleveland contributes to the Saturday Evening Post of Philadelphia an extended article on the plight of, the Democracy and the remedy. Mr? Cleveland begins by reviewing the history of the party, and be discusses its defeats since 1864 in ' detail. In taking up the question of the present conditions of the Democracy he says that the success of the party in 1892 was so decisive anil overwhelming that a long continuance of its supremacy was anticipated. Then came “the fallacy of free silver and populism.” Mr. Cleveland says: “The culmination of Democratic woe was reached when its compact with these undemocratic forces wus complete and when our rank and file were summoned to’do battle under banners which bore strange symbols and were held aloft in unfamiliar hands. The result of such a betrayal was foredoonfeil. This abandonment of the principles of trite Democracy, this contemptuous disobedience of its traditions and this deliberate violation of the law of its strength and vigor were by a decree as inexorable as those of file followed by the inevitable punishment of staffing, staggering defeat. “The disaster of 1872, invited by similar mad adventure, was quickly followed by a return, to the professions and practices of sane Democracy. But the extent and persistency of our wanderings in 1806 is illustrated in • a most astounding way by the command, issued on the day of our rout and discomfort, that a second battle should bo fought on the same field, with the same false war cries and on the seme leadership that-had brought us to the surrounding gloom of defeat.” Mr. Clevelapil preaches the return of Democracy to its old faith, saying: “Sincere Democrats ot' every condition and in every part of the land realize that the situation of the party needs repair. Reorganization is not necessary, but a return from our wandering Js absolutely essential. Let us be frank with ourselves and candidly acknowledge the futility of attempting to gain Democratic victories except in the Democratic cause and through Democratic methods. “If I should attempt to epitomize what I have written by suggesting a plan for the rehabilitation and .restoration of true Democracy I' should embody it in these words, ‘Give the rank and file a chance.’ ”