The daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1873-1877, 1876-07-21
DEMOCRATIC REFORM TICKET.
Frank W. Bird. the Founder Of she
Republican Party, Emphatically
Indorses the StLouis Ticket.
Tilden, the Massachusetts Ideal of n
Democratic Ruler a
Statesman Of Pure Life, of Tried
Capacity and a spotless
Public Record"

Capacity ana a Spotless
Public Record"
At ratification meeting held in
Faneuil Hall, Boston, in support
Of the ST. Louis nominees and the
platform on which they stand, upon
the return Of the Massachusetts, delega-
ton, the presiding officer, Judge Wood
bury, son Of Hon. Levi Woodbury., said it
had been expected that +. w. Bird would
be present and tell what Liberal Repub-
lcan thinks about Tilden and Hendricks |
But he was i'll and had sent the following |
letter, which was mighty sharp, smart and
biting, and would do any one good who
should read il in the morning:
East WALPoLE July IL, 1876.
Messr- Charles Levi Woodbury., Thomas l.. jerks |
and George T.. Baldwin, Committee, &C.:
GENTLEMEN: / have the honor to ac-
knoWle ledge the receipt Of yoYr invitation TO
address the ratification at Fancuil Hall on
Thursday evening. | very much regret
that my health il such that ] cannot &C.
cept it, 1t would give me great pleasure
TO join with my colleagues to the St, Louis
convention in rendering an account Of our
stewardship. The result, whatever agency
Massachusetts may have had in it, is one
OF which every true friend Of reform may
we'll be proud. Our candidate for the
presidency realizes our Massachusetts,
ideal Of Democratic ruler; the candidate
for the vice presidency, not perhaps quite
up TO that ideal, is yet a statesman OF pure
life, of tried capacity and a spotless public
record. ! should be glad TO be with you
in the old cradle to give a few OF the
reasons for giving my hand and heart to the
ticket; but for while at least, | must
school myself to silence. | do not see how
any sincere aud earnest friend Of reform
can hesitate between the candidates pre-
scented by the two parties, especially when
the party supporting each is considered
| am sure | do not look at the question as
a partisan In May last meeting Of no.
tables was held at the Fifth Avenue Hotel,
in New York, TO consider the duties OF
American citizens in the ensuing cam
paign, They were gentlemen Of the high
es; character and Of the most unseGsh
motives AS to their practical wisdom in
affairs, there may be some difference 10
public opinion; but there is no difference
upon this point, that they were capable Of
forming the highest ideal of president
aud capable Of clearly describing that
ideal. This they certainly did in their
address to the country. After describing
the condition of public affairs to which
Republican msrule has brought us, they
describe the candidate needed" Our
duty in this respect is PLAIN and imperious;
it suffers not triling or equivocation; the
WORKOUT clap-trap affair of promises in
party platforms will not satisfy it. Neither
will mere fine profession on the part Of can
didates; not mere words are needed, but
acts; not mere platforms but men, These
would well describe Bristow or lilden
does Hayes meet their requirements?
Again, they say, I'VE shall support 10
candidate who, however iayorably Judged
by his nearest friends, j. not publicly known
TO POSSESS those qualities Of mind aud char.
acter which the stern task Of genuine re
form reduirts," &c. IL this was not de-
describes him aud his position. Again,
they ask, Can he (the candidatc) with
certainty be depended on to posses the
moral courage and steady resolution tc
grapple with abuses which have acquired
the strength of established custom, and tC
this end firmly resist the pressure even o.
his Jsrty irends?' This means BristOv
or Tilden. They repudiate the availability
which consists in this: That the candi
date be neither 80 bad as to repel gooC
citizens, nor so good as to discourage the
bad ones" Mr. Tildens nomination dis
courages the Dammany and canal rings
We did not ye; learn that Mr.. Hayes
nomination discouraCes any Of the ring
which have made this administration in
famous. They clinch their whole argu
meDt with the following: The man TO be
intrusted with the presidency this year
must have deserved not only the confidence
OF honest men, but also the fear and
hatred Of thieves. He who manages e
cultivate the thieves cannot lie the candi
date for honest men. Every American
citizen who has the future OF the republic
and the national honor seriously at hear
should solemnly resolve that the country
must now have president whose name i
already a watchword Of reform; who's
capacity and courage for the work ar
matters Of record rather than of promise,
&c This perfectly fits Mr.. TIlden. Doe
il fit Mr.. Hayes? And yet most Of on
Independent friends in hot haste pro
claim their adhesion to the Republican
party solely on the ground Of the worn
out clap trap affair of promises in part,
platforms" aud of mere fine profession
on the part Of candidates. Not only this
but they propose to enter the canvass un
der the lead Of Zach" Uhandler-a mai
repudiated by the Republicans of his owl
state, and elected against the opposition q
the friends of Mr.. Hayes. apparently solel
because he is member of Grants cabinet
Meyer before, think, was cabinet minis
ter placed at the head Of a national com
mittee in presidential campaign; but thi
administration makes its own prCcedents
and it certainly is very convenient for th
party which indorses General Grants ad
ministration to have for its director a mar
who IL eminently fitted to administer upo
the estate Of the outgoing administration
1t secures continuity Of policy as eilectual
ly would third term. Equally with tn
caDdidates the platform cmbodies tn
aspirations and purposes OF earnest re
formers. There IRE spots on the sun
nevertheless it gives light and heat. Tn
Republican candidate exercises the RICH
10 supplement his platform at pleasure
The same right belongs TO every voter
| AIN tempted to enter at length upon III,
inviting field which tits topic opens; but
spare you. ! do not doubt the old "Crudl
of Liberty viii echo to morrcw night tn
same sentiments for hu nan rights an,
wrongs which Ju the same spot Tell iron
the lirs of James Otis and the brace O
Adamses." / have the honor to be, gen
tlenlen Your obedient servant,
+. W. BIRD
FoR Book BINDING or Ruling, go t