New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1876-08-30
SOILED POPULATIONS.

The hero wOrshipers have had hard time
this year. More than one great reputation has
collapsed like bubble; more than one man,
held by his friends to be the one man OF all
others deserving Of trust, has been exposed in
unworthy acts, or has taken the pains to prove
his own lack of real greatness. When the year
began, perhaps the two greatest regulations in
the country were those of Charles Francis
Adams and Gov. Tilden. Of Mr.. Tilden it
was believed not only that he was pure and
rigidly honest man in his own conduct, and a gen.
uipe reformer in his methods and aims, but that
be had the royal courage and the rare fidelity
to his convictions TO withstand alike the threats
and the cajolements of the infationists. This
splendid reputation was badly cracked, to say
the least, when Mr.. Tilden accepted nomina-
ton upon a platform which demands the re-
peal of the resumption act without any pro-
vision whatever for resumption, and wrote
letter of acceptance in which he carefully
adopted so many of the worst phrases of the
inflationists that even Gen. Ewing praises
it with enthusiasm. His reputation as
reformer, too, was not improved by the amaz-
ing skill in manipulation and contnvance
shown in his campaign for the nomination, nor
by the character of some of the active workers
enlisted in his behalf. Finally, we have the
ugly disclosures in regard to his payments of
income tax during the war, and for some years
after the peace. Very properly Mr.. Often
dorfer says, eff Mr.. Tiden is not able to meet
" this charge completely, he is not fit to be
President But Mr.. Tilden's friends, who
have rushed to his defense, have thus far only
made his case worse. That he may be able to
offer some explanation more satisfactory than
any yet suggested, all fair-minded citizens will
hope.
But what OF Mr.. Adams, the bright particu-
lar star of Republican refOrmers Always
known as a strong defender of the public
honor, he is supporting Mr.. Tiden. Inherit
ing from honored ancestors lofty scorn of
the prostitution of public service to personal
or party ends, he favOrs a candidate whose
marvellous adroitness in manipulation Is the
boast of his supporters. Pure himself, he lends
the influence of his name to candidate who
has vet to meet some of the most serious ac-
cusations which can well be made. And, as If
all this were not enough, this same Mr.. Adams,
If reports do not do him injustice, is
ready to accept a nomination for Coy
erpor at the beck of Mr.. Tilden,
from a party whose methods and beliefs
are at war with his own, and to that end finds
himself indorsed as most meritOriOns person
by John Kelly We have not been among the
worshpers of Mr.. Adams, but have respected
him altogether too highly to witness such
humiliation without regret.
The people of this country are in no humor
to elect man because of his personal reputa-
ton. 1t was mistake to suppose that they
would find some marvellous man, and make
him their platform. They are divided in pur-
pose as to some of the gravest issues ever
submitted to free people. The public honor
is at stake. Restoration of industry and COM
merce to solid basis may be accomplished or
forfeited by choice of President. Some men
desire reform of the public service which
consists in the bebeadIng of all Republican
officials in order to make room for others who
are no better. Others desire the complete
overthrow of that pernicious system which
makes public Office the spoils Of party.
On those questions the contest will turn.
Great regulations avail only as they
help to the selection of men who will
promote the success of certain principles. Wig
orous assaults upon the reputation of candi-
dates have effect only as they convince men
that such candidates cannot be trusted TO carry
out the desired reforms. The main battle Ia
one of ideas. To that, those who have the
direction OF affairs should turn their chief