The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1876-08-16
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lhe great question before The
country is the Reform Of the Admin
istration in all it's branches, the re-
storation of the supremacy Of the
law over all the officers of the gov
eminent being n Of the most vital
points at Issue. The selection of o
man, as President, who possess s the
qualifications necessary for this i'm
portant work is the task which lies
before us in November. Of the two
men who have been in nomination
there a be no doubt in whom the
fitness resides. Governor Tilden has
so we'll displayed his ability to cope
with the prevailing forms of corrup-
ton, and his courage and determine
ton in doing it, that the men who
have been enriching themselves at
the peoples expense throughout the
country are alarmed at the prospect
of his authority being extended to
all quarters of the Republic. His
legal training, to which an objection
has been raised, has led to a d evelop-
ment of the kind of talent W hich is
peculiarly adapted to the ~unearthing
of the kind of frauds by which the
office holders have been %fattening
themselves and their friends.
In Republican quarters we %contin-
ually hear about the influence of the
"worst element of the Democratic
party" being invoked to influence
him for harm, and the impossibility
of any mans succeeding in a good
work while impeded by this pres
sure. The fact is that the worst ell
ement of the Democratic party is
not so bad as the best element of the
Republican, unless we are to decide
that the latter have been so recreant
to their duty to the Nation al to put
into positions of the highest impor.
lance an element which is not it's
best. But apart from this, W 18th this
"worst element" as it is Gale ID, Gov.
ernor Tilden has had to con tend in
New York, and he has there accom-.
plished the very kind of VIC rk that
lies before him in Washington. He
has dared to incur it's bitter hostili.
ty, and in his warfare with it has en-.
listed in his service the hon EST men
Of the land without regard to party,
W. have no doubt whatever about
the election of Governor Tilden; but
whether elected or not, the whole
country, and each individual State
is indebted to him for the services
he has already rendered in laying
open to the public gaze the nature Of
the measures and schemes by which
the people have been SO shamelessly
robbed and plundered, and by forcing
upon the managers ofthc disreputable
rings the conviction that great care
is necessary in the transact lions o.
their nefarious business, as eyes
quick to detect, and a hand swift to
punish, are following them through
ali the tortuous windings of their
path. The nation looks to him as
the avenger Of its wrongs, and he
will not disappoint. His past acts
prove that he knows what is necessa.
ry to a reform of the abuses under
which the country groans and is i'm
poverished, and that he will boldly
and fearlessly hurl his columns upon
the army Of evil doors, and drive
them from the field. Not, like Grant
will he attempt to cover and shield
from punishment the THE YES and
robbers; and not, like him, will he
share the proceeds Of their dishon'
esty. But, as he has been doing du.
ring the past two years at Albany
he will pursue, with %unrelenting Sc
verify, every peculator, to whatever
party he may belong, and W ill thor.
oughly and efficiently reform every
branch of the Administration OF
which he is the head.
The Republican party has dis
graced itself before the Poop lie whose
agairs they undertook to manage,
and in the eye of the whole civilized
world. Again and again } ave the
people shown their willingness to
overlook past faults and errors, and
again and again have they been be-
trayed and deceived. The Yillainies
have now assumed such alarming
proportions, and the promises OF
amendment have been so re peatedly
broken that faith can no longer be
kept alive. Yet this party 6 omes be.
fore us again, and cody promises us
reform. This very promise is sufi'
cient for it's condemnation, for, hay
ing held the reins of govern ment SC
so long, there is nothing to reform
but abuses which it has created