The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1876-07-06
SAMUEL j. TILDEN FOR PRESI-
DENT,

The Democratic Convention at st,
Louis yesterday completed its work by
nominating Samuel j. Tilden of New
York as its candidate for President; and
although it has long been evident that
this must be done, we none the less
thank God that it isdone. 1t an event
Of exceeding Importance, and we are
most grateful for it, not because it is in
the interest of the Democratic party
for party as such we care nothing-but
because it is in the interest Of the coun-
try, and opens way for our escape from
the inappreciated evils and dangers
which surround and threaten the repub'
lie.
1t is as reformer, and because he is
q reformer, that Mr.. Tilden is selected to
lead the Opposition in this Centennial
year. Professions and promises of re-
form are easy, and when they are uttered
merely in behalf of a party, and for the
purposes of an election, they are almost
always worthless; but this candidate has
been tried in the fire and not found
wanting. A man of a philosophiC cast
of mind; more thoughtful about princi-
pies and truths of political doctrine than
about partisan success and the appliCa-
tions Of party patronage, he became con-
spicuous on the stage of political affairs,
not as an enemy Of public plumber in the
abstract, or as the assailant of thieves
and robbers belonging to the other party
merely, but as having laid his hand upon
the thieves and robbers of hisown party,
scourging them from their seats of power,
and bringing them before the courts,
where they have been tried, found
guilty, and sentenced to the peniten-
tiary.
While such evidences of an earnest
and impartial purpose to purify our re-
publican system of government and
make it once more clean and honest,
have endeared Mr.. Tilden to the masses
Of the people, they have not failed to
provoke against him an antagonism at
once intense, bitter, and pertinacious.
AS no other public man of our day can
compare with him in his services to the
cause of reform, so no other has been re-
warded as he has with the confidence Of
the people and the hatred of spectators
The only case which bears any analogy
to his is that of Benjamin H. Bristow,
late Secretary Of the Treasury. He,
too, was taken as candidate by an
earnest array of friends of reform before
the National Convention Of his party,
but there he was rejected, man Of
small account as statesman and of no
account as a reformer being preferred to
him while it is the glory of the Democ-
racy that, in spite of hostility without
equal and of menaces without precedent
they have nominated Mr.. Tilden by a
great majority on the second ballot.
Such nomination cannot fail to excite
in every part of the country the most
hearty and hopeful enthusiasm. We
admit no doubt Of its success Our peo.
pie are not so dull or so careless as moi
to know what is at stake in this election
From this day forward, until the end oi
the canvass, we look to see a growing
zeal and an increasing courage and reso.
luton on the part of those who support
Mr.. Tilden as the representative and the
agent of reform. Independent men ev'
erywhere, who wear the collar of nc
party, and desire only the good of the
country, will rally around him with
earnest hearts, while the followers o.
Mr.. Hayes will more and more be linn
tied to oficeholders and blind partisans
such as cannot have their eyes opened
even by the venality and the shame O.
Robson, of Delano, Of Belknap, Of Bah
cock, Of Shepherd, and Of Casey.
There would have been perhaps 6
greater satisfaction to the sense of po
litical justice if the collapse of Grantisn
could have taken place with Grant him
self as the candidate for the third term
but we dare say it will be no less thor
ough and no less signal with Hayes; and
may God grant that such hideous de-
velopment of political corruption and
public degradation as now weighs upon
the country, may never again attlict the
minds or cloud the fair fame of the
American people!-M Y.Sun. .