The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1878-03-19
NEW JERSEY DEMOCRATS.


TRENTON, March 1s.-Somc recent develops
mcnts concerning New Jersey politics may not
he unintercstng to THE SUNS largc and in
croasng cicntagc in this state. You are aware
that the Hon. Abrnm :. Hewitt formerly dwct
among us. Indeed. he manifested n languid
and ntiul concern in our public affairs on ono
or two occasions though in the early sta1,s Of
his political spasms nobody seemed TO know
whether hc was u Democrat or Republican.
or. like his venerable fathcr-n-lnw. Peter
Cooper. occupied indcpcndrut ground somc-
whore between the two parties. However. In
process of time. Mr.. Hewitt defined his position
by becoming u Democratic candidate for Con-
~ ~. which settled two disputed facts-viz.
that he was n Democrat and Jcrscyman. 1t
will bc remembered that this candidacp uncx-
pcctcdly turned w at your Democratic State
Convention at Saratoga in 1876. and probably
prevented the nomination OF Mr.. Hewitt for
Governor. because II was taken as conclusive
proof that he had not resided long enough in
New York to hold that Office.
But all this is wholly aside from tho obiect-I
have in view by referring to Mr. Hewitt. My
present purpose Is simply to assure you that all
sound Democrats In this State regard as timely
and Just THE suns criticisms upon Hcwitt's re-
cent speech in Congress wherein he pronounced
the titl, Of Hayes too sacred to bc questioned
and too strong TO be shaken. The class Of Dem
ocrnts TO whom refer do not think II becoming
in the Chairman OF tho Democratic National
Committee in the memorable campaign Of 1876
to thus volunteer to condone the Great Fraud.
Nevertheless there are many Democrats here
at the capital and in this part Of the State who
utter opinions closely akin to those expressed
by Hewitt Mt Washington. They do not doubt
that Tldcn was legally elected to the Prcsidon-
t1tnt
frauds. in which Republicans alone partci-
patcd, and was carried through aftorwarl by
corrupt bargains. In which certain Democrats
bore prominent part. But the peculiar Jcr-
scy Democrats TO whom am referring smother
their real sentiments for fear that bold duclnra-
tton- on this subject will tend to bring Coy.
Tildcn into the Held as a candidate for lssO.
This is what induces so large q number OF our
prominent Democrats to throw the weight OF
thcr influence against any movement that
looks 10 an official condemnation Of the great
crime Of the last campaign.
lam not mistaken IN saying that Gov. McClcl-
Ian approves of tho policy Of silence. lie is
himself undoubtedly 4 candidate for the Presi-
dental nomination hy tho Democracy In 1880
\ warm friend of MeClcllans said to me re-
Gently. "Tlden j. about the dead st man IN
the country; he couldn't get single delegate
from New Jersey to the National Convention
and doubt II he could carry the State at the
ballot boxes against O Republican like Coukling
or Blainrn
senator Ranlolrhs following express similar
sentiments. md are outspoken IN their opin-
ions. our so-oallcl state House Ring entertain
the same vcw- with perhaps one notable ex-
eeption. - whom | may speak more definitely
On another o'casion. Tho stockton clique are
understood a. favor T Iiiru or rather 20 bee hos