New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1876-07-05


mud throwing, since the Republican candidate
is secure from it and the Democrats have them
selves pointed the way to that method of war
fare upon their own leader But no less will
it be mistake, foolish if not fatal blunder
1t may as well be admitted at the outset by
the friends of political reform who are support
ing Mr.. Hayes that the opposing candidate IS
in no sense a foe to be despiscd; that he has
actually accomplished all the political reform
for which his party can claim the credit; that
he is personally gentleman of great ability
and irreproachablo private character. 1t VIII
be wise to admit so much as this, and very
unwise to be diverted from the actual issues
involved in the election by any temptation to
personal discussions and disputes.
The question before the American People in
tho Presidential election is not whether Ruth
elford b. Hayes or Samuel j. Tilden shall be
the next President of the United States. The
personal aspects of that question are OF very
slight consequence. Both arc gentlemen OF
ability and integrity, and of such high charac-
ter that the good repute of the nation might
safely be trusted with either. The real Issues
OF the canvass lie behind the two men and
relate to the parties and the policies between
which the people Of the country must
choose IA the governing power for a
coming Presidential term, and perhaps 4
score Of years to follow. The discussion
of these is legitimate and proper, and should be
calm. clean. and decent. There is no need OF
belittling the contest by personalities, simply
because black guardism ard abuse are the only
political arguments which the pot-housc POLL
10, l.l lax
guards will keep civil tongues in tn = heads
if only the example is set them ny Their
bettcrs. But when, ~ happened in Ncw-Hiyen,
Conn. the other night, y Yale College probes
sor, who il also Collector of the Port, opened
the campaign with an address in which he
pronounced Mr. Tilicn the worst fraud Ill
"oAisttnce," tho blossom companion OF
"fraud,r and other such things of which
he offered no proof, and for which
he had 10 excuse except an unfortunate
fuency, what may We not expect OF the less
reputable persons who do the hurrahing and
raise the empty howl of the canvass ! And If
the Republicans, who claim to be the more
decent of the two parties, are beginning in
this way, what will it be when the foul
mouthed loaieTs of the other side get fairy
this college professor see that the kind of talk
with which he is initiating Presidential cam
pagn il full Of all manner OF mischievous
consequences, and that it can under no cir
cums.ances accomplish any good Ia there no
basis Of sound argument anywhere in this
matter Or Il it the belief OF these Intelligent
orators that the people cannot be reached cx-
cept by appeals to passion and prejudice, By
bitter epithrts, rigorous denunciaiions, and
scandaous charges Int it possible to carry
on one Presidential campaign with 50 much
regard for the proprictieS, for common
decency, and for the citizens own self
respect, that somebody college professor,
or clergyman, or editor of a newspaper or
Stump OratOr-shall come out of it iii November
without The sensation Of having waded through
cesspools of pickering in ishwoman's dis
putei Or must we confess that it is quad
rennial madness for which no cure can be
found, and take it a. part OF the penalty ana
the price of popular government! 1t il note
worthy feature of the present outbreak OF per
sonalitcS upon Gov. Tilden that il comes from
those who, since they bounded Horace Greeley
TO death with their slandcrous pens and tongues
four years ago, have spent most of their time
lameuting the tendency TO personal abuse on
the part Of the press because it demanded in
yestgation of official misconduct and sent the
rogucs wiirling ont of Office. The fellows who
so little while ago were declaiming against an
age of SANDER have all at once given tongue
and are out in full cry.
The whole business il srnaclcss and cxaspcr-
ating. There are two parties before the coun-
try asking to be trusted with power. Each
has had more or less experience Of its respon-
sibities, and has i'll greater or less degree
shown its capacity. Whatever may be said OF
the professions OF either IN its platforms and
resolutions, or Of the honesty and capability
Of either, as shown i'll its practical conduct, it
is ut least certain that each party has spirit
and a manifest purpose by which it may be
Judged. The question of greatest Importance
is, Which of these two paItcs-Dy its demon
smtcd ability to govern well, by the earnest
ness and patriotism of the men who constitute
ard lead il, by tho correctness of its principle
and the soundness of its views, by the straight
forward honesty with which it meets and dis
poses OF great public questions, by its intelli-
gcnCc, sincerity and capacity-iS better qualified
to take tho Government in chargei Each party
has nominated u good man for President-thc
Democratic party, we think, its best and most
available. The question now is not which of
two men, but which of two parties.
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BRITISH Trade.
British trade returns for May are somewhat
less discouragng than for April in respect to
i a Il