The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1879-07-26

| Ewing as candidate for the Presidency.
AS a consequence of this uneasy anxiety
precipitate deductions are made from un-
certain premises; and crude and unsafe
generalzations, that are, perhaps, only the
expression of prejudices and preferences
that his candidacy might interfere with,
are laid down as the cardinal points OF
political truth and presented as great prin-
ciples that must certainly rule him out OF the
race. But great parties do not always judge
the claims of a candidate merely on argu-
ments against him that may be presented
only in the interest of some other candi-
date.
Against Mr.. Ewing it is said that he is in
favor OF the ''odious, inquisitorial, uncon-
stitutional income tax, and that no man
with that point against him "can stand for
a moment as democratic candidate for
President" But Mr.. Ewing might be
nominated on q platform putting the in
come tax out OF sight. Sometimes it
happens that a man who believes a GER
tain thing to be wise does not attempt
to force it upon his party. 1t has been
that whole party might be wiser than an
individual, even though that individual was
himself Occasionally candidates with deep
and strong convictions on points OF public
policy have been known to concede that q
national convention, acting with the ag-
gregate wisdom Of men from all the States,
was the best judge of the timeliness, if not
80 IL, o1,.ta ;slo >f ka,
policy and in such cases candidates have
been known to take position on a party
platform, though it ignored or even denied
great points OF public interest in the ad-
vocacy of which they have been active
Perhaps Mr.. Ewing would not insist upon
the democracy taking all his theories and
notions as inseparable encumbrances if
they happened to want him.
But, then, is this income tax so very
'sodious" to democrats? What is the in
come tax? It is simply the most effec-
tive, most direct, most just, most equit-
able and most democratic means of
raising o great revenue ever applied in
this country. It does not tax existence.
does not tax labor, does not tax the neces.
saries of life, and does not impose upon
any individual a burden that it is impos-
sible or even difficult to bear. 1t raises
money "where money is" 1t spares the
poor man and makes the rich man pay. If
you want soldiers, go to the people; if you
want money, 60 to the millionnaires. That
is sound sense on two great points OF
public policy, and the financial half
of that rule is filed by the in
come tax. It goes to the million
naires, and it is tax under which no
millionaire can return himself as
pauper without perjury and without ex-
posing himself to the scandal and shame Of
suit for recovery of unpaid taxes. Such
tax as that, rightly understood by the
democrats all over the country, would
hardly be odious in their eyes. AS to the
cry that every law we do not like is uncon-
stitutional, these are the words of John
Marshall :-sLet the end be legitimate, let
it be within the scope of the constitution,
and all means which are appropriate,
which are plainly adapted to the end,
which are not prohibited, but consistent
with the letter and spirit of the constitu-
ton, are constitutional" Marshall used to
be an authority with democrats
Therefore we do not believe that Mr.
Ewing's position with regard to the in
come tax will be in his way, whether it is
or is not made an element in a national can
vass; but we believe that there are points in
his favor as Presidential candidate that al
together put that part of the subject out Of
the case-points so strikingly cogent in q
national sense as to demonstrate beyond
cavil that if Ewing carries Ohio in this can.
vass he will be the first man Of his party
for the national race. We believe, also,
that his party will see this very clearly. He
will be, in that contingency, their great man
in the West. And that is the place where
it is exceedingly important tor them to
have a great man. Are the democrats to
continue to follow through all sorts of
calamity the ignis tataias of an Eastern cam
didate? Tilden, Greeley, Seymour-are
not these enough? We do not believe that
the democracy of the country will consent
to 90 further with this fatal policy which
assumes that the Presidential canvass 10 to
turn on the capture of an Eastern State,
and that it can only be captured with an
Eastern man. The West will revolt, and
will demand in the councils of the party tho
preponderance appropriate to its political
value, and if it has ON hand candidate
who can carry Ohio in a close canvass its
demand will be conceded.
Mr. Ewing Is also man with whom his
party can 60 confidently before the country.
He is man of brains, energy and charac-
ter, trained in the law and in the school of
practical politics, and, above all, he was
downright Union man, and proved it on the
field OF battle. His splendid fight at Pilot
Knob, where with one thousand Union sol
diers he faced old Price with six thousand