Wilmington daily commercial., 1876-07-10
PERSONAL CHARACTER AND PARTY
INFLUENCES,

MIR. Bayard thought it needful to caution |
his hearers, on Saturday evening, not to
place their faith in the good intentions or |
fair promises of candidates-in brief, not |
to rely upon the likelihood of Governor
Hayes, whose personal qualities are beyond
dispute, being able to make tirst-rate adj
miniatration, whether he promises to do so,
or not since he would fall under the control
OF forces stronger than himself and must
necessarily be directed by the motive power
of his party. This is consideration well
enough to be addressed to the attention of
voters, but it may be fairly used both ways,
for it applies to MIR. Bayards candidate as
well as to Governor Hayes, and in greater
degree. When we talk of public officers
suffering their personal judgments and
convictions to be controlled by their party,
we all know perfectly well that this is the
case to the fullest extent in the Democratic
party while in the Republican organization
it is the repeated occasion of remark and
sometimes of controversy that its members
act out their own opinion and defy the
pressure of party. But, besides this fact,
another il to be considered suppose MIR.
Hayes, as President, is swayed by the aver
age Republican sentiment, and controlled
by his party associates, how much worse or
better would that be than Mr.. Til
den, as President, controlled by his
party +? Mr.. Bayard no doubt appreciates,
if he does not admire, the good qualities Of
the American Democrats, but he will not
assert we think, that their average patriot
ism or good judgment is higher than that
Of Republicans. When, therefore, he fears
to find President of good private inten-
tions giving way to the pressure of his par
ty, he surely cannot feel less anxiety for
the influences of the New York roughs, ,and
the Western inflaionists on President Til
den than for any corresponding control
coming from the body of the Republicans
upon President Hayes.
But at any rate it is proposing an alto
gether unreasonable thing to ask that vo-
ters SHOULD underrate the high Importance
OF a candidates. good character and worthy
purposes. II Governor Hayes, with an un
spotted private life, and an established ant
unquestioned honor and integrity of char
setter, stands higher individually than MIR
-Tilden, the associate of Tweed and the
lAlunderer of embarrassed railroads, thi
must in reason weigh much in the choic
of voters. Reserying all we please for tn
possible control of party, it is still mos
natural and most proper that we shoul
con6de in a man of high character and loft
personal principles rather than in one VIII
has shown us his shabby side. Personal e1
cellence counts, justly, for great deal, an
in the comparison of the present canvass
the high qualities of the Republican cand
date will influence a great many votes.
Mr.. Bayard's reference.to the matter wa
it is true, very brief, and he may not hay
intended to carry the reasoning 80 far a
we have done. but the argument here mad
follows naturally When he cautions the pc,
pie not to rely upon personal qualities lei
they give way to the average opinions {
party. AS MIR. Hayes stands higher tina
Mr.. Tilden, so the party pressure upon hil
is likely to be less in degree and better
quality, and the attention of voters beinl
called to the subject their conclusions mut
be altogether unfayorable to Mr.. Bayard
desire that they should support the s
Louis candidates.