The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1876-08-28
New YORK, August Is, 1876.

The following letter OF General McClel-
Ian TO friend in New York appeared In the
New York papers of Saturday mornings:
, 80 CoBURa, CANADA, August 10, 1876.
NV Dear Sir, Your very kind letter OF
the 10th has reached me, and quite concur
Deeply impressed with the gravity OF the
issues involved. in the approaching presl.
dential election, believing that the honor OF
the country and the well-being OF the people
depend in no small degree upon the result,
feel compelled to depart from the reserve
that has become habitual to me, and express
the earnest convictions that press upon me.
Under a constitutional government the
formation OF political parties is necessary
consequence OF the diversity OF human minus
and interests. Sentimentalists in their clo.
sets may dream OF an idea! republic all OF
whose citizens are perfectly wise, Vlrtuous,
and consequently unanimous; but such
dream can never be realized on this eartii:
and we must recognize the fact that poiltl-
cal parties are not only necessary but Denc-
fetal. acting as they do as checks upon each
other. Experience has shown In all con-
stitutional countries that when any party
possesses uninterrupted power for avery
long time, especially when the minority Is
too weak to interpose any efficient cheek
upon the actions OF the majority, the ten
dency is that the leaders become careless ana
reckless. forget that there is any power 10
which they are responsible, look upon once
nc y personal possession and reward rather
than a public. trust, and learn to regard their
tenure as permanent. SO, too, the leSlsla.
tive bodies become inclined to system OF
extravaganza, which cngenders corruption,
facilitates the formation OF rings, ana hnally
DESTROYS the prosperity OF the people.
The only sure remedy in such case IS
that the people shall, through the ballot
box, place the former opposition in power.
That our country is now in the condition
lust described is proved by the universal
and peremptory demand for complete re-
form by the people without regard 10
party.
Among Democrats there is no doubt as to
the manner in which the change should be
accomplished.
with many Republicans the question IS
whether they can trust the professions OF
their party, or whether they must take the
disasreeable step Of breaking away from old
political associations, by leaving the party
under whose administration all the evils OF
which they complain have grown up, ana
act with the Democrats, who, from the 1orce
OF circumstances, must necessarily be re-
formers.
I have the highest respect for the personal
character and intelligence OF the Republican
candidate for the presidency, and believe
him to be an upright gentleman. But it
seems TO me quite impossible that he can
change the organization and policy OF his
party. :,
The leaders who control and shape It's
Dolicy would be the same after his election
rs now, and it is idle to hope for any change
in them or under them.
1t is now abundantly evident that had not
a Democratic House been elected in 1874 1t
would have been impossible to unearth the
various instances OF maladminstrati0n that
have come to light, and it is equally clear
that until the Government passes into the
hands of the Democrats we shall never
know the whole truth, whatever it may be |;
and we need to know the truth as to the
past, that it may serve to guide us IN the fl-
ture.
Believing, is l firmly do, that every con-
sideration OF honesty and sound statesman
ship, every true national and individual
interest, demands the prompt Inauguration
of a policy which shall, in the briefest prac-
ticablc time, reduce every governmental
expenditure to the lowest point commensu-
rate with honor and efficiency; regarding
the reform OF the civil service in its broad
est sense. and with it the enforcement upon
office-holders OF the conviction that their
only business is to perform their public du-
ties, and not to manipulate party politics, as
an inherent part OF this reform; satisfied
that it must be accompanied by financial
measures steadily directed towards the re-
sumption OF specie payments within the
shortest possible period, l cannot for mo-
ment doubt that these all-important ends
will be best, and in fact only, attained by
the election OF the candidate Of the Demo-
cratic party.
But questions OF finance and reform are
not the only ones which affect our present
and future.
The recent war altered forever some yeX-
ed questions. For example, the asserted
right Of secession has disappeared in a sea
of blood; slavery has been abolished never
to reippear; to the negro has been given the
right OF citizenship and suffrage. We have
nothing more to do with these results save
to accept them frankly and watch that they
remain intact. After many trials and tribu-
lations the States not long since arrayed in
arms against the General Government have
reGstablished their relations withthe Union,
and regained their autonomy
Generous courtesy toward q fallen but
most gallant foe and selfish policy alike de-
mand that we should leave no just thing
undone that Will restore peace and we'll
being to the South, reGstabish fraternal
feelings in the hearts of all our people, and
cause our recent enemies to. be proud OF and
love the Government OF the Union and its
flag. The welfare of the North is insepara-
bic from that of the South. and our country
can never attain its full force and yigor
until peace, prosperity, and kind feefin 6
reign throughout its broad domain.
believe that this end can best be reached
by respecting the autonomy OF the individ-
ual States so long rs they respect the obll-
cations Of the Federal compact.
Allowed to govern themselves, public
opinion, self-respect, and regard for their
own interests will certainly suffice to induce
the southern States to place good men in
office and to enforce the laws. While OF the
opinion that Federal interference should
never be resorted to except in the cases
provided for in the Constitution, 1 also
think that, il any outrages are committed
upon the rights, persons, or property OF any
citizen, whatever his race, whether white or
black, and the State authorities neglect or
hesitate to do their duty, that the General
Government should urge and aid them in
every legal way to enforce order and justice,
and should use all its legitimate influence in
that direction.
But have sufficient faith in the honor
and ability of our southern brethren to be-
lieve that when left to themselves they
will well know how to enforce Just laws,
and secure the rights OF the humblest OF
their fellow citizens. o..
In Mr.. Tilden / am confident that we
bnyyo q ooo5idatn noscacc; N p n II tbo ranu;,;to,