The New York herald., 1876-07-21
Tho Canvass Tor the Presidency-Its
Hopes, Opportunities and Illusions.

to calmly discuss the canvass for the Presi-
dency with the thermometer above the
nincties. But the canvass continues in
spite of the weather, and we are bound to
follow its varying phases from day to day. So
far as New York is concerned we shall hardly
know what shape it will take until after the
meeting of the State conventions. 1t may
be taken for granted that the democrats will
do whatever Mr.. Tilden deems wisest in ar
ranging the State ticket. Mr.. Tilden will not
repeat the experiment of the last Conven-
ton, where he made up ticket of friends and
favorites, ignoring the claims Of old and in
fluential democrats. He will seek out the
veterans, the representatives OF unfriendly
interests, and. if possible, give Mr.. Seymour
the head of the ticket. There never was a
better chance for anti-Tilden democrats to
come to the front. We shall have ticket
that will poll every democratic vote in
the State. The republicans are embar-
rassed. The war upon Mr.. Conkling is waged
with the ferocity shown toward him at Gin
cinnati, and his enemies seem willing to i'm
peril the canvass of Hayes to injure the most
eloquent and one of the most gifted leaders
in the party. If Mr.. Conkling rejects the
counsel of passion, if he subdues his anger
and his PRIDE he will withdraw every per-
sonal element from the canvass, compel his
opponents to name some unexceptionable
ticket and go into the fight for Hayes as he
did into the fight for Grant four years ago.
In such contest as Mr.. Conkling's friends
are forcing upon him he has oil to lose and
nothing to gain. He must not destroy him
self in New York, but make himself strong
before the country with strength that will
be felt four years from now.
Tilden's delay in writing his letter of ac-
ceptance, the contradictory rumors about
Hendricks. the insubordination of the West
ern democrats and the course Of Tilden
organs on civil service reform, have given the
democratic canvass an uneasy aspect The
letter Of Hayes has had q marked effect in
uniting all the discordant factions of the re-
publican party, and as a political move it
is masterpiece. The declaration for one
term and against Cesarism, which ends the
war begun by the HERALD four years ago, pro-
duces profound satisfaction. The people,
knowing the skill and power of Tilden, are
impatient to hear what he has to say. This
impatience is increased by the eccentric con-
duct of Mr. Hendricks. That gentleman
does not show toward Mr.. Tilden the loyal
enthusiasm that party expects from the
second candidate on the ticket. His journey
to Saratoga to make terms upon various
points has made an unpleasant impression,
and gives the partisan republicans the chance
of saying that some kind of juggle is
intended-th that it is to be Seymour and Blair
over again-Tilden' pulling one way and
Hendricks the other, just as Seymour and
Blair pulled their canvass to pieces between
them before it was half over. The fact also
that one of the ablest of Mr.. Tilden's news
paper supporters, the one which has earnestly
championed him as a candidate before the
Convention and the country, has openly de-
nounced the civil service reform as ''step
toward aristocracy," has produced painful
impression, an impression that can only be
dispelled by prompt publication of letter
of acceptance taking as strong ground in
favor Of civil service reform as Hayes.
to carry. They have the burden of sixteen
years of power, Of Belknap's impeachment,
and the proposed impeachment of Robson,
of the Whiskey Rings and the Washington
Rings, of Grant and his new feat Of Caesar
ism in turning out of his Cabinet conspicu-
GUS republicans like Jewell. They have the
Southern States against them as a unit.
They have to fight in q season of unusual
depression in business-a falling off in all
kinds Of trade. They came into power
when everything was going up now every
thing is going down. The country yearns for
a change, for new faces, new ideas, new men.
These are strong influences to fight, even when
we consider that there is regular army of
eighty thousand office-holders ready for the
contest. The democrats press the plausible
issue of reform, and confne themselves to
that alone. The republicans answer it by
saying that in winning reform on Tilden's
plan the country runs the risk of repudia-
ton in the West and revolution in the
South. They point to Allen and his fnan-
cial views, and Hamburg Butler and his riot
Both of these positions have fallacies 1t is
a fallacy to suppose that under our system
of government any President can go. into
Washington like Hercules into the Augean
stables We are not electing an autocrat,
but President, an Executive limited by
law This President will have Senate
probably against him, House with a large
and able republican minority if not a ma
iority For the very safety of his admins
tration the President (Tilden) will have to
make terms with the men his followers now
denouncc rs corrupt. The friends of Tilden
must not expect too much. If they elect
him on i4e idea that all corruption will
stop, thai The weather will improve, that