The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1876-07-20
Who are the Reformers /?

Who are the RefOrmers2
The shallow and disgusting shams and pre-
t. noes with Which the Democrats have inaug-
urated the Presidential campaign. constitute
an admission that they have no substantial
principle or policy to present to the considera
ton of the people. There is not one in ten
of the assumed leaders who do not know that
the cry of reform is designed fraud and
deception. They show it in their counte-
nances when they utter the word. Yet it is
all they have upon which to attempt i cam
paign, and the only hope is that they will be
abe. to deceive and delude the unsuspccting
by an expression that sounds well to honest
ears wherever and by whomsoever uttered.
The game of deception and pretence has been
commenced too soon, however. 1t is a bubble
that will burst-a blown bladder that but needs
to be puncturcd to collapse,-6re the Octobe:
election even we expect to see the canvass
substantially closed, II not the candidates ROM
mated at St. Louis withdrawn. The manner
Of presenting "reform'' is more idealistic and
insincerc than the clap-trap Of ''Reeenciia-
ton" in 1872, nor isit clothed with as much
plausibiity as that cheat was in the last Presi-
dental contest. Greeley was an honest man.
he had given evidence of his individual since RI
ty,-it was from no want of confidence in
Greeley as a man in connection with friendly
disposition to the South. associa. ed with a con-
he was repudiated. When the Democratic
marplots of the Sonth--the men WAC had recl-
lessly and designedly precpitatcd secession
and inevitable conflict, at Charleston in 1860.
took up the cry Of RECONCILIATION. the peo-
PIE of the North and West knew it was false
of those who had attempted to destroy the
government to get control Of it, and either to
shape its laws and legislation so us to neutral
ize, if not obterate the results of the war,
or again plunge the country into strife and
desolation. The issue carried falsehood upon
of Reform that is sought to be palmed off
upon The countryn 1876.
At meeting of Tammany Hall Democrats
in New York on the 11tll, after a scene of strife
and rowdyism that was disgrace to cyiza.
ton, they congratulate their fellow-Demo-
Gratis and fellow-citizens that the Democratic
party of the Union, stands committed by their
platform and their candidates to Reform as
the vital. controlling, and paramount issue OF
the times" They fly it in the face of the tlir-
ty million dollars they had stolen from the city
of New York, under their former chief, Boss
o1,
election, although the Democracy have ma
jority of 40, 900 in that city, they were defeat
ed and rebuked by the people They further
resolved ''that the nomination of the distin-
guished statesmen, Samuel J.. Tiiden. of New
York, and Thomas A. Hendricks, of Indiana,
as candidates for President and Vice Presi-
dent, and as opponents OF the platform who
arc to carry its purposes into exc cution, init
ing the whole party throughout the
country, guarantees our success in November,
receives the hearty, enthusiastic and energetic
support of "Tammany." When it is noted that
Tilden and Hendricks hold directly antagonist
ic views on the currency question, the real is
sue OF the campaign, the sincerity of Tammany
and Democracy may be accurately measured.
But TO show the kind of ''Reformer'' Mr..
Tilden is, and with whom his reform record
has been made, Tammany declares, shat in
Samuel J. Tilden the Democracy of New York
city recognize. from long and familiar felloao-
ship, the vigilant foe of corruption, the inflex-
ible friend of reform, the wise statesman, the
devoted patriot
Here is the proof of Tildei's Fellowship
with Tammany OF ''ong Standing his famil-
iarity with thieves and robbers who stole from
the people of that city thirty millions of their
money. and yet is a foe OF corruption q
statesman, and patriot. There is not Il man
who was connected with Tammany during
Tweed's corrupt rule, who was not familiar
with the corruptions it was perpetrating, the
that very time, was the trusted friend and al
ly Of the rnling spirit of the organization.
Here is the headquarters, the central, the
radiating POINT, whence the reform under
TIlden would eminate. 1t is to such associa-
tons the country would have to look for the
tainance Of national integrity.
Ii the Democratic leaders expect to deceive
and delude the people with such shamG and
false pretences, such transparent frauds, they
will be very much mistaken. 1t is their only
hope, it is true, but the common honesty and
common sense of the country will properly
the graceless attempt to foist upon
them Samuel j. Tidcn as ''Reformer,' Gov
cred all over as he is With the slime and stains
of the corruptions of Tammany when Tam
many was gloating ii. Tweed's plumber, MAX
ing and unmaking statesmen" and ''patriots,"
such as Tiden, and controlling the party of
which Mr.. Tilden snow the chosen exponent.
and ruling the city of New York almost to
permanent bankruptcy.
Partizan Malignity.
The malicious and vindictiye spirit that char
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