San Marcos free press. [volume] (San Marcos, Tex.) 1877-1892, 1878-08-31

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ton. In that event, the House still
has its right to elect, and, "if it elect
me-" said Mr.. Tilden at the time, II
will go to Washington and take the
oath if l am shot for it the next day."
For this he has been ever since de.
nounced as poltroon, who allowed an
Office to which be was elected to be
wrested from him without saying q
word, whilst those who set his plan
aside, and in room Of it substituted
scheme that ended in disaster, are held
up as miracles of craftsmanship, pa
triotlsm and courage. a.te
Mr.. Marble attacks nobody. Nor
do we. 1t is the truth of history, re.
sardless of individuals, that we would
vindlcate; and the truth of history
compels US to say that the people and
the times. as we'll as the politicians.
were at fault. The times were out Of
joint. The people were impatient.
The politicians were at sea. There
was a wild notion that Mr.. Tilden
ought to say something or do some
thing in the Ercles vein. lie must
wrap the flag about him and march
down to the footlights. He must take
a crowbar and pound upon the doors
of the White House. The conceit
prevailed that if Old Hickory were
alive that would be his way; and,
quite forgetting the example of silence
set by Old Hickory when he believed
himself cheated out of the Presidency
by bargain. intrigue and corruption,
the handlers of this theory never miss
an opportunity to visit upon Mr.. Til
den's digni6ed reserve and manly for
bearance the ascription of pusillanimi-
ty.
Mr.. Tilden's plan embraced no
shilly.shallying or foolishness. 1t
meant business. He had to move
either by force or by law. Force was
out of the question. The country was
not prepared for war, and the party
would not follow him into war. All
that show of fight on his part could
do would be to infame a few excited
spirits and play iEto the hands Of the
couspirators, who had the tools and
only wanted the pretext to come down
upon the unorgauized and helpless
Democrats. Wisely he declined eth
er to rattle or to bluff for the Presi-
dency. He proposed to proceed by
law-the law of every preceding cleo.
toral count-and to force the Republi.
cans, if bent upon their work of usur-
patton, to resort to violence and trea-
son. He believed they would break
down before they got through with it.
Believing in the people, his idea was
that the people needed only to be edu.
Gated in their rights to maintain them,
He presented line of action. He
prepared magazine of instruction.
These were set aside, and, in lieu Of
them, bridge was constructed over
which the conspirators could, and did,
walk in safety.
MIR. Marble shows that the electoral
bill was not submitted to Mr.. Tilden
until it had been substantially agreed
upon by the Democratic leaders in the
Senate. us it not rather late to con-
suit me?" said Mr.. Tilden. "They
don't consult you" said Mr.. Hewitt.
Every artifice was used to obtain Mr..
Tildens assent. But he resolutely re.
fused. That he did not make an out
cry and defeat the bill is a proof at
once of his self-denying spirit and his
wisdom. His own plan had been set
aside. There was no hope Of success
fully reviving it if he should defeat
that which had been substituted 10 its
place. What could he do? Nothing
but what be did do; refuse to indorse
the measure, leaving those who begat
it to carry it out without obstruction.
But, after the plan had been agreed
on, he did not withhold his advice as
to the details, and this in every in
stance, attests bis ssgacity. BE firm
and cool" was bis steady counsel. "If
you go into a conference which you
can't break off at any time" said he.
you will be beaten on every detail.
Unless Won are able to break of you