The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1876-04-11

that it will carry the next Presidential cleo
ton has great deal to support it. The re-
voting exposures which have occupied pub
lie attention during the last two months
ought to have fatally damaging effect on
the party in power, even if no more should
be proved than has already come to light;
and there is good reason for believing that
the end is not yet. If the evidence of per-
vading rottenness should have no political
effect the country is in bad way, because
public indifference to these disgraceful ex-
posures would imply such decay of moral
sense among the people as would justify
doubts of the stability of the Republic. If
widespread and long-continued official cor
ruption be not q sufficient reason for dis
carding the party in power there can
be no sufficient reason; for mere
mistakes of policy or bad judgment in
measures are venial offences in COMPARE
son with swindling knavery and gross be-
trayal Of trusts. We cannot think SO meanly
of the American people as to. suppose that
they will not be stirred with moral indigna-
ton at these thick-coming exposures, or that
they will not attest their adherence by their
votes. These disgusting revelations are
likely to 60 on, and it is hardly conceivable
that the democratic party will mismanage so
egregiously as to blunt their effect. With
tolerably wise strategy on the democratic
side the republican party should be igno-
miniously defeated in the approaching Presi-
Dental election, because it has justly for
feited the power which it has so scandalously
abused.
The contest for the democratic nomination
will be active and vigorous, because, in dem
ocratic estimation, success at ST. Louis will
be equivalent to an election. The chances
seem SO favorable that Judge Davis, of the
Supreme Court, though never q demo-
crat, is more than willing to accept
the democratic nomination. We should
suppose that the experience of the
democrats in going outside of their party for
a candidate in 1872 ought to operate as
warning; but there are democrats weak
enough to make q similar laundering ap-
peal for republican support. We do not be-
ieve that political party ever gained any
thing by such miserable trimming. 1t is
always dishonorable to the candidate, as i'm
plying that he is willing to relax his princi-
pies for the sake of high Office, and it is
equally dishonorable to the political party
which takes up such a candidate, as show
ing that it is composed of political bucca-
neers who are as ready to sail under any
other flag as under their own for the sake of
plumber. With SO good prospect of sue
cess as is now opened to the democratic
party it would be absurd for it to take re-
publican judge as its Presidential candidate.
Judge Davis is brought forward as rival of
Governor Tilden; but no democrat of
sense and principle can hesitate mo-
ment between steady, consistent dem
ocrat and a renegade republican. If the
choice lay between these two candidates no
earnest democrat should countenance or
tolerate the pretensions of the republican
judge.
Another gentleman who has been much
talked of and is supposed to possess some
strength is Governor Hendricks. There is
little to choose between him and Judge
Davis, both of whom belong to the same
type Of trimmers. 1t is really of no conse-
quence whether a man surrenders or stiles
his political convictions to get the support
of party with which he has never acted, or
to recommend himself to a section of his
own party with whose views he has no SYM
pathy. A man who yields or DISCUSSES his
principles for the sake of Office lacks the
firm moral fibre which should be possessed
by the Chief Magistrate. Sacrifices of prin-
ciple and sacrifices of integrity are so nearly
akin that there is no solid ground for con-
fidence in the honesty of states
man who has shown willingness
to barter his convictions for the hope
of Office. Governor Hendricks does not
meet the requirements of the situation, for q
Presidential canvass in which the main issue
is reform of abuses should be led by man
who is conspiciously true to his convictions
and his conscience. Mr.. Hendricks has not
clean bill of moral and political health, and
the democratic party would forfeit its most
important advantage by nominating can
didate on whom his principles sit SO loosely.
Democrats of sturdy convictions and robust
honesty would not care the toss of nickel
cent whether an outside trimmer like Davis
or m inside trimmer like Hendricks were
made the candidate No man is fit to lead
this great canvass on the democratic side
unless the steadiness of his principles is q
guarantee of the tirmness of his integrity.
Davis and Hendricks being excluded
there remain three prominent democratic
candidates of conspicuous ability and sound
principles-namely, Governor Tilden, Sen
ator Bayard and Senator Thurman-any one
of whom would make vigilant and incor-
ruptible President. Each of the three has
some peculiar attributes of strength. In favor
Of Senator Thurman it may be said that he
alone, of all possible democratic candidates,
has chance Of carrying his own State of