New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1876-08-26
TILDEN AS A REFORMER.
A POLITICAL JOHN THE BAPTIST.

HIS ACHIEVEMENTS OvERRATED-HE LACKS SINGER
uY-is FOSTERING ON THE TIGHT-RoPE OF RE-
FORM
TO the Editor Of The Tribune.
SIR: THE TRIBUNE's frank fair, and straightfor-
ward method of political discussion compes the at
tenti0n of candid readers. Extenuating nothing IN
the conduct of its friends nor setting down aught
in malice against its foes, it does not offer to the
reader q perpetual challenge to keep on guard
against overBtatement and evasion. 1t has seemed
to me- however that sometimes in its anxi-
ETY. to DO impartial it If superiiuOusly
deferential 20 the views of its antagonists
and that in its endeavor to give exact justice
to every man 1T sometimes accepts an exaggerated
estimate of an opponent. with only an incrodulous
smile or a languid protest. To be more definite Mr.
Tilden is The man. Many influences have conspired
To give a fictitious value to his alleged and actual
achievements; and as these furnish almost the en-
tire capital stock of the Democratic concern his adj
herents are prompted to the most strenuous en-
deavors 10 keep up their inflated quotations in order
to save themselves from political bankruptcy. When
Mr.. Tilden finally turned against the Tweed KING
his efforts met with most generous recognition
from men whose politics would naturally prompt
them 10 belittlo his services and after he became
Governor the spectacle of Democratic official en-
gagged in correcting administrative abuses was such
a novel ono that his reforms again attracted undue
or at least unusual attention. The conspicuous NAL
administration ut Washington made the pcrforman-
ces at Albany stand out in still more rugged relief,
and finally some sober people, like Firth Avenue
conferees began to make genuiexions and burn
incense before him until they could only see him
through the smoke. And just az King Arthur looked
larger than human he rode away TO battle through
the mist, so your Governor enveloped in nmbus of
adulation was gorifed into proportions altogether
too heroic for the reality. Now 1t may not he worth
while TO disspatc an illusion of this sort so long as
the spectacle affords q harmless and economical
amusement but Mr.. Tildcn is Presidential candi-
date and to-day when the candidate Is the platform,
there are special reasons why he ought not to be
passed off for more than he is intrinsicay worm.
Neither party ~ party can afford any valid excuse
for it's existence. The contest is of candi-
dates and tho influences which surround them,
The environment of the Republican nominees Is bad
enough. but that Of the Democratic nominees, az
Mr. Schurz has well demonstrated, IL still more I'M
fortunate and if these influences to be counter
balanced the ticket must be corr"spondlngiy
stronger Still further demands are made upon Mr..
Tildcn's personal strength by the depressing COM
panionshp OF Hendricks for very few people are 50
credulous as TO allow, with Mr. Parke Goodwin, that
the mere Endorsement OF platform ought to eiiace
the memories of a hong and pernicous political ca
rner The situation, then, IL this: The Democracy
are woong the Independent vote and they rely solely
for a successful suit upon the personal charms of
Mr. Tdcn This fact subjects his followers Ia an
overnastering temptation 10 present him idcalizcd
TRANSPORTED Ii ought also 10 intensity the crcum-
spcction Of the coy voter especially since amiable
virtue has helped to trick Mr. Tilden out with icti
tious adornment
Now il shonld be remembered that the Fifth Ave-
nue. Conference, which probably possessed large
fraction of the countrys political wisdom in des-
Iccated form, was not unanimous IN the description
of all unselRshncss and freedom from demagoglc
bias IL was mainly some of the younger and some
what underdone members of that assembly who
recognized bit two American citizens who could he
relied upon for the signal and unsclishseryice winch
the times demanded. Mr.. Schurz has since written
that he could never IN the most favorable moments
feel quite easy and comfortable in respect 10 the
reform mission of man who had grown old in the
peculiar school of New-York politicians, and who had
developed himself into most perfect master OF
the politcal machine before he began his reform
work - and in few more telling sentences upon
such uncomfortable topics IA wirepulling ana
"grasping after popularity, but without bitterness
or eXasgeraiion, lie gave convincing reasons why
Mr.. Iilden ought Ia be regarded with dstrust. inns
point enforces itself; Everybody feels 1t. Mr..
Tilden has been inside politics az ambitious prac-
titoncr of those arts which horrfy Democratic virtue
when seen III Chandler or Cornell, recognized
authority in the profession When Fl long r aE ssy
rnour in 1850 looking around for
somebody's neck TO fan upon and weep, did he select
Mr.. Tillen's because that gentleman was then es-
tcemcd political rcformerf suppose some one IN
the morning papers when describing this event had
alluded to Mr.. Tllden political John the baptist
vino was TO go out INTO the desert ana call upon
the machine men To do works meet for repentance
would it not have sounded like one of the Rev. Mr..
Nasby's utteranccs q? Now there is no need OF as
don nj
plicity with the audaclons yilainics of the
Ring. Granting him the full charity of every
WHAT every body knew of his influence and attitude
TO be persuaded that he does not belong TO that line
tyne of manhood which in public life shrnks from
doubtful associations, which avoids the very appear
ance of evil and feels stain like wound. And If
any one thinks tins IDEAL manhood, let him try to
imagine Adams, or Ey,rts or Cgrsi OF iaike God
history in its outward conditions alone, and he VIII
find the experiment suggestive
| am constrained to add that even in these later
DAYS since Mr. Tilden has developed into reformcr
his exhibitions of himself have not been attractive.
He allowed himself to be nominated on u platform
which was conspicuous surrender of principle
that his friends were driven to proclaim to the word
that they had protested against II with formal
solemniy and upon this platform he took his place be-
side man who the incarnation OF the very IDEAS
against which lac mad declared that he would wage
war without q truce. In his letter OF acceptance
from the shaky excuse for his delay IN the opening
paragraph, to the end-there is unpleasant at
inospere of nsincerty. Ii is not straightforward
thing TO juggle with phrases that please the
Hon. William Allen and Gen. Ewing. A long
talk about resumng only concludes that
the proper time to resume is when We get ready and
that he Is the man to get us ready He claims that
the resumption clause, which he known to APP
prove is a sham and then advises 10 make il a
fraud by repudlatiHg solemn national promise and
a promise which as Governor he had officially reit-
Grated There is the flavor of narrow partisan
ship and deception in his other recent appearances.
AT Albany in pubic speech he adroitly charges all
our business depression upon Republican adj
ministration, but does not trust himself to
allude to the debased currency until he
had schooled himself into a glib familiarity