Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1876-09-29

lie New luik LttfiNy I nSi All1 sum-
other Republican papers are inclined to
think that Mr. Iten's secondhand state
lnent has perhaps pretty fairly disposed Of
the income tax business and that anyhow
it is hardly worth while TO make 50 much
Of mere personal matter. when there are
issues Of more Importance. Oar columns
bear witness that we have by no means
made the personal question the chief one.
The main issues are the protection Of the
honor and credit Of the Government,
and of the lives and rights Of its citizens ,
and Refo1m-reform Of the civil service,
elevation of the character Of public oihcers,
honesty and economy in public transactions.
| Ii Mr.. Tilien had never made a dishonest
penny. If he hal always paid every dollar Of
bis dues to the Government; it even it were
beyond dispute that lie had been patriotic
and loyal citizen and man Of high, gener-
ols and whole-souled impulses, the great
tact would still remain that the election Of
Tilden and Hendricks would be the return Of
the Democratic party to power-the party
Of corruption and treason the party which
stroye to destroy the Union to save slavery
the party whose motto is, 10 the yictors be-
long the spoils the party Of reputation
and rag money II would be the handing
over Of the power and finances OF the gov
L., 4 --f
1t would give the ex-rebels the preponder-
ance in the departments and Offices Of the
government which they had in the late Con
federate House" 1t would give Us Salary
grabber Randall, Popinjay Cox, Fernando
Wood, Blss Kelley, Gambler Morrissey,
Doorkeeper Fitzhugh, Hambleton and
Hampton and Tucker and Vance and the
like to represent Us abroad and administer
public affairs at home II would conide the
protection Of the colored voters Of the coun-
try to the white leagues Il would be fol- |
lowed, as We verify believe, by the swamp
ing Of the Treasury by southern claims and |
the practical destruction Of the credit Of the |
government. 1t would be fell Of peril to
the business Interests and general welfare of |
the country
But if Mr.. Tiiden had better party be
hind him the question of his personal char
acter and fitness would still be one of i'm
mense importance. How often have We been
told by the Ersl.Rg Post, and by the best
men and papers, that the time had come to
make the man the platform that plausible
professions and partisan fidelity would not
take the place Of the strctest integrity and
the guaranty Of honesty and efficiency al
fOrded by life Of worthy service And that
Is 50. Whatever bears on the personal char
acter OF either candidate is therefore of i'm
portance The voters are entitled 10 every
fact which will enable them to make up
Just estimate Of the meu between whom they
are to choose If Mr.. Iilden was believer
in the right Of secession before the war if
be was copperhead during the war if
after the war be held that every Union sol
der was trespasSer be i not the man TO
be placed at the head OF the Government
whose existence was saved by the war. II lac
has been concerned in questionable business
transactions if he made and swore to a dis
honest return Of his income if for ten years
during which he was rapidly accumulatng
an immense fortune, he omitted to make any
return and thus evGded the greater part Of
bis share of the public burden of taxation,
be is not the one 10 be set up as the apostle
and exponent Of Reform Ii lie is long silent
lnder the most pointed charges Of perjury
Ind fraud, and finally meets the charges
with only lame and evasive reply, it is
.evelatiOn of character to which the men
whose votes he solicts are entitled. So far
Is we are concerned, and 10 the extent of
,ur space, therefore, We shall see to it that l
,ur readers have all the light that We can ,,
rive them. We shall not ignore the great ,
public Issues, nor withhold information
N the personal matters which at such time
,ecome public issues We shall try not to
orget past developments of character, nor
o overlook any future ones that NAV come
nut, in Mr.. Tilden's case setting down
taught in malice, rejoicing in no man 5 sins I
Iet undeterred by the howl about personal
warfare"