The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1876-11-01
THE ISSUES STATED.


this time, or to point out the duty OF
al patriots in the pending political
struggle. The Democratic party bas-
es its appeal to the people ou the cry
Of Reform. The st. Louis platfrom
defines what the party means by Re-
form, and Tilden's letter shows what
construction he puts on the word. The
party afiirms that Republican officials
are corrupt, and that they should be
substituted by Democrats, who, we
suppose, are thought pot to be corrupt.
This can be easily tested. Under the
advice of the New York World, the
Democratic House last winter deliber-
ately put aside all attempts to legis.
late for the good of the country, and
gave itselfup to the investigation of Off
cials. 1t spent S1,000,000--and had
at command and freely used the COM
pulsory process, to secure the attend
ance Of witnesses. 1t imprisoned wit
nesses to force them to give evidence.
1t looked into private kilograms, and
even into private bank accounts, and
exhausted its ingenuity and power to
get evidence. Every rumor and scan
dal that had been afoat for ten years,
was inquired into, and not stone was
left unturned, that promised results.
If the charge of corruption was not
fastened on Republican officials. it is
fair to presume it was because it could
not be. Yet as the result of all this
expenditure of money and effort, Bel
knap was charged with crime, buHsot
convicted.
Mr.. Tilden claims in his letter of
acceptance that Reform is needed be.
cause the finances are corruptly ad-
minstered, the Government not liv.
ing within its income and that the
test of economy would be the funding
of the debt at A. per cent. He really
appears to be aiming his blows at Blu.
chanan, who plunged the country in
debt 100000 during his admins
tration. At all events the evidence is
at hand to show that his remarks do
not apply to the Republican party,
So far from running in debt, we have
paid over $600,000,0O0 on the debt
since the war, reduced direct taxation
over S200,000,000 a year, and this,
while adding $30,000,000 year to the
expenses of the Government by our
charity, in opening the advantages of
the Government to eX.rebels. We
have reduced the annual interest on
the public debt $40,000,00O and are
rapidly refunding the debt at Al per
cent. In brief, we have realized every
demand which Tilden makes in the
name of reform.
What assurance have we that he
would give us reform, even where
needed What is his life In business,
a dealer and speculator in broken
down railroads, with accusations Of
dishonesty and fraud, sworn to against
him in number of cases. AS a tax
payer, proven swindler ofthe govern
ment, his non payment on tax ac-
count being estimated at from $780,
900 to 100000. As a politician,
copperhead during the war, as sym.
pathizer with the ex-rebel element
since. Not an utterance has been
made by Tilden that would indicate
any lack of sympathy with the most
extreme Southern element at this time.
AS a local politician, the friend of
Tweed till the latter was broken, and
the friend and associate of John Nor
rissey to-day. Do the upright and
Christian people of the country wish
to be led in the paths of reform by
such an oneP
His reforms are to be wrought out
under the auspices of the Democratic
party. What claims has it on the
confidence of the people? 1t inaugra-
ted rebellion, simply because the peo-
pie constitutionally and properly elec-
ted Abraham Lincoln President ofthe
United States, 1t supported the South
during all the rebellion with its sym
pathy and moral aid, declaring in the
last days of the war that it was fail
ure. 1t has obstIucted peaceful recon
struction, and done all in its power to
rekindle the harsh and violent spirit
of the South. 1t defended the Ku-
klux and White-Liners, and has either
palliated or definitely defended the
course Of intimidation and murder un-
doubtedly pursued at the South. In
the House it has brought forward bills
proposing to pay rebel losses incurred
in the war, and to refund cotton
claims, the two aggregating over So
800, 0,000,-or more than our ma
tional debt. The enormity and impu-
dence Of this claim is beyond all ex-
preston. To originate war with no
better reason than they had, and fight
on year after year, creating the neces-
sitY for q large nationalsdebt. besides