American citizen. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1864-1890, 1876-08-12
Letters of Acceptance of the
Democratic Nominees.

Gov. Tilden's letter of acceptance OF
the nomination by the Democratic Ma
tioual Convention, for the office OF
President of the United States, is dated
at Albany, N. Y, July 81, and is quite
lengthy document, in which he makes
an exhaustive review of the financial
question, and declares that contraction
of the currency is not necessary to Sc
cure resumption of specie payments,
which alone are the only basis of en-
during prosperity; he calls for reform
in the administration of the Govern
ment, and points out how, in his opin-
ion, the change is to be accomplished,
and gives a full endorse ment of the
platform adopted at st. Louis. He
says:
The Convention before making its nomination
adopted a declaration of principles, which as a
cessities of our country and of reforms needed to
bring back the Government to its true functions
to restore purity Of administration and to renew
reforms are SO urgent that they claim more than a
passing approval. The necessity of reform in
and municipal, and in modes of Federal taxa
ton, justifies all the prominence given to
Convention. The present depression in all bust
ness and industries of the people, which is de-
priving labor of its employment and carrying
want into SO many homes has its principal cause
in excessive governmental corruption, corrup-
ton under illusions of suspicious prosperity en-
ment. A waste of capital has been going on ever
since the peace of 1855, which could only end in
universal disaster. The Federal taxes Of the last
00o zoo. Local taxation has amounted to two
thirds as much more The vast aggregate is not
less than 81. 500 ,0Oa 200.
After a general review of the Federal
Indebtedness, the Administration of the
Republican party, and the operation of
the finacial system, he expresses the
opinion that the Government of the
United States can advance to resump-
ton of specie payments to its legal ten
der notes by gradual and safe process
tending to relieve present business dis
tress, by a reduction of the expenses of
the Government below its income, and
concludes by saying:
THE FIRST STEP IN REFORM
is the elevation of the standard by which the
cal trusts pS Next in importance is conscien
tious fidelity in the exercise of authority to hold
honest, skiIIful performance of, official trusts
must not be sacrificed to the use of incumbents.
After these immediate steps. which will insure
an exhibition of better examples, we may wisely
go on to the abolishing q un-
the patient, careful organization of better civil
service system under tests wherever practicable
of proved competency and fidelity. While much
might be accomplished by these methods, it
might encourage delusive expections if with
held here the expression of my conviction that
reform of the civil service in this country will
be complete and permanent until its chief magIs
ton, experience having repeatedly exposed the
futility of seh-imposed restrictions by candi-
dates or incumbents. Through this Formally
only can he be efectually delivered from his
greatest temptation to misuse the power and
patronage with which the Executive is necessa-
rily charged. Educated in the belief that it
is the first duty of a citizen of the Republic to
take his fair allotment of care and trouble in pub
lie affairs, 1 have for forty years as a private
citizen fulfilled that uuty. Though occupied in
an unusual degree during all that period with
concerns of the Government, L have never &C.
qured the habit of official life. When a year and
was in order to consummate reforms to which 1
had already devoted several of the best years of
my life. Knowing as do, therefore, from
fresh experience how great the difference is be-
tween gliding through an official routine and
working out reform of systems and policies. it
is impossible for me to contemplate what needs
to be done in the Federal administration without
an anxious sense of the difficulties of the under
taking.
If summoned by the SURFACES of my country
men to attempt this work, shall endeavor, with
Gods help to be the efficient instrument of their
will.
[Signedl SAMUEL J. TILDEN.
To Gen. John A. McClernand, Chairman; Gen.
w. B. Franklin, Hon. j. j. Abbott, Hon. H.
J. Spaunhorst, Hon.sH. j. Redfeld, Hon. +.
S. Lyon and others, Committee.