The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1876-10-16
IF TILDEN BE ELECTED, WHAT
THEN?

assert. The assertions OF the Republican
orators about the matter are ''unmitigat-
cd hosh," as Senator MORTON would say
and the Republican orators know it. 1t
is a very common habit with parties be-
ing in power to persuade themselves that
the government cannot be conducted
without them-that they, alone, under
stand the art of governing, and that the
machine would be smashed in the
hands of the other party. 1t is well
enough to teach such parties lesson oc-
casionally, to show :hem where the
sovereignty and safety of country
really lie. The people of the United
States are the sovereign custodlans of
ITS interests-not the Republican party,
nor the Democratic party; and it may
be set down rs truth that they will not
permit either one party or the other to
drag it to ruin. The disasters so volubiy
predicted by the Republican soothsayers,
therefore, rs the result OF TILDEN's
election will never come.
What ,oiU take place then? We an
swer: First, the assurance of change
and a popular feeling of profound relief
The county will breathe more freely;
hundreds of thousands of Republicans,
even, will acquiesce in the defeat of their
party, not only without Il regret, but
with positive satisfaction. The over
throw of Grantlsm will solace them for
the overthrow of Republicanism, ard
they will cheerfully admit that the
inevitable change is as well now as
it would be four years hence. AT
Washington there would be gen.
eral cleansing. The BABCoCKs, Boss
SHEPHERDS, WILLIAMsES, the sate-burg-
larry gentry, and the leaders OF the local
rings who now manage the affairs OF the
District would go INTO obscurity, If not
into infsny, and other persons would
take their places. 1t may be asked
would the new local regime be better
than the present? Very probably 1t
would, to say the least. 1t certainly
could not be worse. Governor TILDEN
is very independent sort of man; ne
thinks more of things that are right than
of things that are merely Democratic.
Besides, he is pledged to reform.
his name is II guaranty of reform,
and as he is avowedly opposed to second
terms, we have every reason to believe
that he would insist upon a purlfcatlon
of the capital and do all that the eXecu-
tive can do to effect it, One thing We
know: he would not make such charsc-
ters as BABCoCK, Boss SHEPHERD and
E1-Attorney General WILLIAMS his In.
Inmates. As to the Southern question, 1t
would cease to be question; an instant
purlucatloH oi the CouIh "ON 'N'N"
TILDEN's Inauguration. The same tran
quill repose that has followed Democratic
restoration in Virginia, Tennessee, Geol-
gis and Arkansas would be given to the
other disturbed Southern states, and
there would no longer be an unsettled
strife in Louisians, Mississippi and South
Carolina to harass us.
As to the industrial and financial ques-
tion., we may confidently rely on Gov.
TILpEs and the Democratic Congress
that would attend him to give US re-
trep chment OF S40,0000OO in the public
expenditures; thorough overhauling Of
the tressuary books and truthful
statement of their condition; restora-
tioa of the old silver dollar as legal
tender for all debts, public and privatei
probable postponement of the day OF re
sumption of speclepayment, accompanied
with a discreet and determined system OF
preparation for resumption; tighten
ing of the taxes, $40,000,000. TO cores
pond to the reduAsd expenditures the
overthrow Of the corrupt rings IN the in
terpsl revenue and Indian bureaus and
the navy and war departments; and
substitution of a national habit of fru-
gslity, accountability and peace, fer the
national habit of extravaganza, IRE
.ponsibilty and strife that has oharac-
lerzed the Republican ascendency,
1t will be said perhaps, that this is
too much to promise for Gev. TILpEN.
But we NAV answer in pointing to the
great reforms he has personally effected
IN the great state Of New York, and TO
the repeated pledges of reform that he
has given. He would not have to fight
and subdue his party, as part of his
reform progrsmme-ss Mr.. ScHURz tells
us would be the case with Gov. HAYES;
his party would come into power under
pledges of reform, also, and his own high
character and determined purpose, sup
ported bys willing Congress and an
applsuding country, would leave no
room for doubt or uncertainty on the
subject.
The Case Of Harrington.
WASHINGTON, October l5.-Distrlct