The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1876-07-22
politifal affairs.
Tnden and Reform,
Frank w. Bird, the Founder of the Re,
publican Party, Emphatically Indorses
the st. Louis Ticket.

'N"''i az s"pPoiO VI bhS ~. 1ouis
nominees, the presiding officer. Judge
Woodbury., said it had been expected that
+. w. Bird would be present and tell what
Liberal Republican thinks about I'ilden
and Hendricks. But he was III and had
sent the following letter, which would do
any one good who should read il
EAST WAIPoLE, July IL, 1876.
Messrs. Woodbury., jerks and Baldwin,
Committee Gentlemen The result Is
one of which every true friend Of Reform
may well be proud. Our candidate fol
the Presidency realizes our Massachusetts
ideal of a Democratic ruler the candidate
for the Vice-Presidency not perhaps quite
up to that ideal, is yet statesman of pure
life, of tried capacity and a spotless public
record. ! should be glad 70 be with you
in the old "cradle" to give few Of the
reasons for giving my hand and heart to
the ticket but, for while at least, | must
school myself to silence. / do not see how
any sincere and earnest friend Of Reform
can hesitate between the candidates pre-
sented by the two parties, especially when
the party supporting each is considered.
am sure do not look at the question as
a partisan. In May last meeting Of
nOtables was held at the Fifth Avenue
Hotel, in New York, to consider the duties
of American citizens in the ensuing cam
paign. They were gentl.men of the high
est character and Of the most unselfsh
motives. As to their practical wisdom in
affairs, there may be some difference in
public opinion; but there is no difference
upon this point, that they were capable Of
forming the highest ideal of President
and capable Of clearly describing that
ideal. This they certainly did in their
address to the country. After describing
the condition Of public affairs to which
Republican misrule has brought us, .hey
describe the candidate needed "0ur
duty in this respect is plain and imperious;
it suffers not triaing or equivocation the
worn-out clap-trap affair of promises in a
party platform will not satisfy it. Meth
er will mere fine profession on the part Of
candidates; not mere words are needed,
but acts; not mere platform but men. I"
These would well describe Bristow or TIL
dea; does Hayes meet their requirements?
Again, they say, "Wc shall support no
candidate who, however favorably Judged
by his nearest friends, is not publicly
known to possess those qualities of mind
and character which the stern task of gen.
uine Reform requires" &c. II this was
not designed as sketch of Mr.. Hayes, it
surely describes him and his position.
Again, they ask, "Can he (the candidate
with certainty be depended on to possess
the moral courage aud steady resolution to
graple with abuses which have acquired
the strength Of established custom, and to
this end firmly resist the pressure even Of
his party friends?" This means Bristow
or Tilden. They rcpudiate the availability
which consists in this :--'sThat the candi-
date be neither SO bad as to repel good
citizens, nor so good as to discourage the
bad ones. Mr.. Tilden's nomination dis
courages the Tammany and canal rings
We do not yet learn that Mr.. Hayes's
nomination discourages any of the rings
which have made this Administration in
famous. They clinch their whole argu-
ment with the following 1.-THE man to
be intruated with the Presidency this year
must have deserved not only the confidence
of honest men, but also the fear and hatred
of thieves. He who manages to cultivate
the thieves cannot be the candidate for
honest men. Every American citizen who
has the future Of the republic and the
national honor seriously at heart should
solemnly resolve that the country must
now have President whose name is
already a watchword of Reform; whose
capacity and courage for the work are
matters Of record rather than Of promise"
&c. This perfectly fits Mr.. Tildcn. Does
it fit Mr.. Hayes? Aud yet most Of our
Independent friends in hot haste pro-
claim their adhesion to the Republican
party solely on the ground Of ''the worn
out clap-trap affair Of promises in party
platforms" and Of "mere fine professions
on the part of candidates" Not only
this; but they propose to enter the canvass
under the head Of each Chandler
man repudiated by the Republican party
Of his own State, and elected against the
opposition Of tae friends of Mr.. HAYES,
apparently solely because he is member
of Grants Cabinet. Never before. | I
think, was Cabinet Minister placed at
the head of National Committee ia a
Presidential campaign; but this Admins.
tration makes its own precedents, and it
carfas,,l., 4 49,. ......-...-. r