Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1877-02-16
Tilden and HAYES,

Tilden and Hayes.
One of the most remarkable features
Of the political complication which has
existed since last November is the aston
ishing change which has taken place in
the personal relations, so TO speak, be-
tween the Democratic party and its Pres
idential candidate during the past two
months. There is no longer any enthu-
siasm for Tilden; there is not even a
feeling of respect for him upon the part
of Democrats since the true inwardness
of this political intriguer became ap-
parent. To such an extent is this true
that, If the election were to be held over
again tomorrow as between Tilden and
Hayes, the former would be overwhelm-
ingly defeated. Thousands of Repub-
licans who voted for him under the ap.
prehension that he was an honest, sin.
cere man would cast their votes for
Hayes, and q multitude of Democrats
would 60 the same thing Before the
election, Mr.. Tilden was thought to be a
reformer, who would work for the ma
terial good of the country, reform exist
ing evils, inaugurate necessary changes,
and introduce the old-fashioned virtues
of honesty, economy, justice, and mo-
rality in all the departments of the ma
tional household. Since the contest
over the electoral vote commenced,
however, there is not single act on his
part, nor a single method of procedure,
that gives promise of reform or even of
ordinary honesty. On the other hand,
the indications are overwhelmingly con-
vincing that his administration of the
Government, if the decision of the Arbi-
tration Commission shall elevate him to
the Presidency, will give the dishonest,
disreputable, and corrupt elements of his
party four years carnival of public
plunder and profigacy. The experiences
of the last two months have confirmed
the charges which were made against
him during the Presidential campaign.
They have shown him to be a partisan
intriguer not above using the methods of
the Tammany pot-house politicians; a
man without conscience, rectitude OF
personal character, or moral honesty;
reckless in all his methods, desperate in
all his ambitions, corrupt in all his pur-
poses; without dignity, integrity, or even
selfrespect.
He has been guilty of corruption,
bribery and bl ackmail, either directly or
through his associates. He and his
clique have not hesitated' to purchase
electors in one State and attempt to pur.
chase them in two others. He has sought
to carry out policy of intimidation and
violence. He has winked at frauds OF
the most unblushing description. He
has surrounded himself with bullies,
blackguards and blackmailers. He has
intrusted his interests to disreputablc
and cunning advocates of the David
Dudley Field stamp. He has employed
Adventures, professional liars and ac-
complished thieves and perjurers to tra-
duce Republican officials. He has vio-
lated every Democratic precedent and
principle of States Rights and his hench-
men, in the most arbitrary and summary
manner, have thrown citizens into the
Capitol dungeons, have opened star
chambers of investigation, subjected their
victims to the fabricated charges of pro-
fessional witnesses without allowing
them an opportunity to disprove them,
and have promulgated the testimony of
such witnesses without the cross.exam-
nations or rebuttals. He has made the
most wicked and corrupt use of money
ever known in the political annals of this
country. This Infamous programme,
which has been followed by him so per-
sistently and industriously, has produced
a reaction among moral and well-think-
ing people, and has cooled down the re-
spect formerly maintained for him by
moderate Democrats; and, as we have
said before, if the election were to be
held over again tomorrow, he would be
overwhelmingly defeated. He could not
carry single State north of Mason and
Dixon's line, not even his own. He
would be buried out of sight.
In contrast with Tilden, the conduct
of Gov. Hayes stands out in sharp relief.
In all the Investigations that have been
as they have benin
the volumes of testimony that have been
taken, Notwithstanding the desperate
manner in which the Democratic COM
mittees have sought to traduce Republic
ans, not one breath of dishonor has ever
sullied Gov. Hayes good name, not one
faint of corruption has attached to his
character. He has had no occasion to
use cipher dispatches to cover up bribery
and fraud. He has not spent one dollar
out of his private funds for election pur-
poses. He has borne himself throughout
with dignity and loftiness of character
BETTING an American gentleman and
statesman. He has maintaineda a modest
and respectful silence, and, if he has
spoken at all, has only done so TO an
nounce his determination of abiding by
h., H.. - ~
tent with the result whatever it might
be. If the Board of Arbitration should
declare that Mr.. Tilden is not entitled to
The Presidency, there would be general
feeling of relief even among the Demo
Gratis, and a corresponding feeling of
that an honest, digniied, in
,Orruptible man had won the price
Chicago Tribune.