New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1876-11-02
Governor Tilden's Letter.


Mr.. Hewitt did not, in the letter which
called forth the response from Mr.. Tilden
which We published yesterday, state with
fairness the ground of Republican objec-
ti0n to the success of the Democratic party;
and Governor Tilden was forced to 60 out
side the inquiry to give the answer. So far
- Mr.. Tilden can give assurances, his re-
ply is satisfactory. The Democratic candi-
date distinctly pledges himself not merely
to oppose and veto the whole class of rebel
claims, but to dencunCe the claims of men
who, at this safe distance in point Of time,
assert their loyalty. The discussion of the
validity of the fourteenth amendment was
altOge ther unnecessary, inasmuch a., a.
though Mr.. George TicknOr Curtis main.
tains that the amendment was never legally
adopted, the Republicans have newer ex-
pressed any fear that the debts and claims
covered by that amendment would be even
seriously urged.
There is, therefore, no reason to cavil at
the form OF Mr. Tilden's letter to Mr..
Hewitt, and ss little reason to doubt the
sincerity of his pledges at this critic i mo-
ment. The old cOuplet, however, will be
brought to the minds of those who take
into account the character of his ass0cis-
tiOns, and the immense stake he has in the
election:
The devil was sick, the devil monk would be;
But the letter, allo wing it all the impor-
tance his friends claim for it, does not take
the question OF the rebel claims out of the
canvass. They were brought in by his
party friends without consultation with
him. and they have not authorized him to
remove them. The vast pecunisrv interest
in these claims, and the clamOr for their
payment, are altogether and exclusively
Democratic; and if such q disaster is to be
fall the country, he would be indebted for
his election to the cohesive and aggres-
sive power which the existence of these
claims has given to the controlling sec-
ton Of his supporters. Let rs borrow an
illustration from his own armOry. Lead.
ing Democrats, and Independents who
have followed the Tilden gonfalon, have as.
sured Us that Q President can not be
stronger than the party that elects him.
Now, it is perfectly certain that the South
ern white men who are intending to vote
for Governor Tilden expect to be paid, and
numerous and too conclusive to be denied.
1t is equally certain that however little
Northern Democrats may like it, they will
| in the end have to choose between losing
their Southern supporters and voting to
allow these claims, either directly Or by
some equivalent which would be pressed
| and allowed under the nsme of . compro-
| mise. Would the Northern Democracy re-
sis,2 Can the Ethiopian change his skin
or the leopard his spots9 They have never
vet shrunk frvm any compromise which
gave the South . substantial advantage,
and they can not be trusted to do 80 now.
Governor Tildsn effects to treat the
| urging of claims for property of rebels de.
str owed by war a. danger from which he
| sing Rle- handed, can deliver the country; and
| he practically offers to fight his party or
| that lasue. The combat would be by nc
means even. There are ways of coercing q
| President, ss every incumbent of the posi-
| tion learns very speedily.
Even on the supposition that Governor
| Tilden were gifted with such herculean
strength as to be able to resist his party
| the contest would be renewed at the
| first favorable opportunity. An advsn
| tage given to the Democrats now would
| em mbolden them to select q more com.
plant candidate next time, with a
| fair chance Of tlacting him. 1t is fact
which can not be denied, that the prosecu
| where the Democrats are strongest. The
"solid South" is in favor of it. And the
tendency Of giving the power into the hands
of party, q majority of whom are urgently
| in favor of q specific policy, is to cOmmi,
the party to that policy This is the danger
apprehended by Republicans. They are
not quieted by the assurance, however sin
cereiy given, that Governor Tilden was
personally opposed to them. Was he not
once personally opposed to the repeal OF
the resumption date. and was he not forced
to yield s-Boston Daily Adrertiser.