Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1876-10-25


sincerity Of his professions unless he
openly rebukss this mandate of the
party machinery which seeks to Gle
vate him to the Presidency, and his
silence shows that he has not the
nerve for the present emergency. II
the present Administration really mer
its such unqualified commentator,
MIR. Hayes will search in vain for
facts that require reformation. The
rejection of Mr. Bristow and the NOM
ination of Mr.. Hayes BY THE SPEC.
IAL FRIENDS AND APPOIN.
TEES OF THE EXISTING AID
MINISTRATION are prima. tacie
evidence that no reform is contemplat-
ed.
On the other hand the Democratic
Convention discarded the availability.
and nominated a ticket with view to
the changes required and the qualiti-
cations necessary to sro2Ice them.
They did not commend but condemn
ed the acts of the Administration in
unmistakable terms, and pointed out
the needed reformation to which their
candidates are pledged. 1t is conced-
ed by friend and foe that MIR. TIL
DEN Is a PRACTICAL REFORM
Err. His forty years experience in
the affairs of public life, extending
through the most eventtul period OF
our history, enables him to compre--
bend clearly the nature and scope Of
existing abuses and the remedies to
be applied for their correction; and
the fidelity with which he has prose
cuted the work of reform in his own
State and party is a sufficient guaran-
tee that he will, if elected, redeem the
pledges given in his letter of accept.
ance, The scrutiny of his past history
by All INSCRIPTIONS partisan press has
elected naught against him, and every
attempt to tarnlsh his fame by vitup-
Grafton has only brought more promi-
nently before the people those traits of
character which commend him rs the
man for the hour.
1t is charged that. Mr.. Tilden, if
elected, will use his influence to secure
the payment Of the rebel debt, the re-
Enumeration of former masters for their
slaves, and the virtual restoration of
slavery, while those who propagate the
SANDER well know that any such in
ference is etftctually barred by the
Constitution. ASIDE from the consti-
tatlonal barrier, his open opposition
to the nominee of his party in lS4S
on the slavery issue, and his whole ca
reer both in public and private life,
furnish conclusive evidence that he
would not do either if he had the
power, and that any attempt on the
part of the South to infringe the pro-
visions Of the Constitution would be
promptly rebuked. That he will rid
the South of an army of political trick
sters qnartered upon it at the expense
Of the national treasury, and use all
lawful and constitutional means for
the restoration and maintenance of the
peace and prosperity Of the Southern
people of both races is beyond ques-
ton, which is NIL they require, and all
the demand
Since the close of the war; it has
been the constant aim of the party in !
power to monopolize the African race
and use them for political purposes.
and to compensate them for their votes
with few petty offices and an insult
cradle burden of taxation. Justice
and humanity demand that this uu
fortunate race shall cease to be made
q football and bone of contention be-
tween parties. They are a kindly dis
posed people, and as a rule are indus
trious, inoffensive aud frugal as any
other race, when their former condi-
ton is taken into consideration. They
are not to be judged by the turbulent
and improvident disposition of few
of their number. As a class they are
much better informed in the business
transactions OF life, and more familiar
with the value and mode reproduction
of Southern products, than is general.
ly supposed. They are indebted to
the folly of their former masters for
their freedom, and their liberty and
rights are now secured by constitu,
tional provisions, beyond the POSSIBLE
ity of change. Cease to cajole them
for their votes, to burden them with
taxes, and to rob them of their hard
tbrou,.b +ho oc,ono,, 90 80,