Grover Cleveland: “Principles above Spoils” Letter

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I thank you for the invitation I have just received to meet with the members of the Young Men’s Democratic Club at Canton to rejoice over the last Democratic victory. I am sorry to say that it will be impossible for me to be present on the occasion you contemplate, but I hope that it will be full of enthusiasm and congratulation.

And yet may I not suggest one sober thought which should constantly be in our minds. Our late success is, of course, the triumph of Democratic principles, but that success was made possible by the co-operation of many who are not to be considered as irrevocably and under all circumstances members of our party. They trusted us and allied themselves with us in the late struggle because they saw that those with whom they acted politically were heedless of the interests of the country and untrue to the people. We have still to convince them that Democracy means something more than mere management for party success and a partisan distribution of benefits after success. This can only be done by insisting that in the conduct of our party principles touching the public welfare shall be placed above spoils, and this is the sentiment of the masses of the Democratic Party to-day. They are disinterested and patriotic and they should not be misrepresented by the tricks of those who would not scruple to use the party name for selfish purposes.

I do not say that there is danger of this, but I am convinced that our duty to those who have trusted us consists in pushing on continually and vigorously the principles in the advocacy of which we have triumphed, and thus superseding all that is ignoble and unworthy. In this way we shall place our party on solid ground and confirm the people in the hope that we strive for their welfare, and, following this course, we shall deserve and achieve further success.