The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1879-03-07
TIE DEMOCRArIC OUTLOOK.
TIIden's Presidential Prospects ne Analysed
by Moderate Democrats.


ALBANY, March GA Democrat OF high
standing. who is looked on ms moderate oppo-
nent Of Tlden. recently gave free expression
to his opinions. with the understanding that his
name should not be published. He snid: II
the nomination for President comes to the State
Of New York Mr.. Tiden will receive II. Gov
Seymour Ia not in the field and there is no
other candidate who possesses sufficient promi-
nence to be seriously talked Of But on many
accounts It would be better for Mr.. Tiden to
lose the Presidency than to gain It. He occu-
pied Mt the close Of the last canvass. the most
enviable position imaginable. lie was nomi-
mated on the strength Of what he had done TO
reform abuses ami enforce economy in the CITY
and State OF New York. He ovcrcamc tho oppo-
sition existing to him in the party met aud
parted the blows Of the Republicans and WAS
honestly elected President 10y the largest ngere-
gate vote ever given to a candidate. Then
he WAS cheated out Of the Office through a
crime which history will cmphatically con-
denim. and which even nov few Republicans
care to defend. Here was the happiest fulfill
ment Of a rational ambition. All the honors
that can attach to a Presidential nomination
and election belonged to Mr.. Tildcn and he was
exempted from the care the annoyance. and. |
may add, the degradation Of actual service IN
the White House. No man has boon President
since Jackson's time who did not leave the place
with poorer reputation than when hu entered
H. Perhaps an exception might be made in
Lincon's case. but it was only his tragic
death that saved his Administration from con-
domination at the hands Of those who elected
him. All the honors are gathered when the
election ia over. Then begins the demorali2inE
work Of distributing patronage. in which the
best Of men must disappont thousands. and
are very apt 10 wreck their fame. The Pres-
denry has ceased 10 be place Of political lead
crship. Its occupant has come to BE- a mere
agent for the parcellng out Of Offices. II he at
tends strictly to that part Of tho business and
lets abstract politics alone, ms Grant did. h. will
make himself strong with his party But Mr..
Tildcn. though he possesses large ability of II
certain kind tpcrhaps because he possesses 40
il wholly untitled for the work deman led Of an
Executive at the present time. 1t was different
fifty years ago. When jackson was President
the city Of Washington. when Congress was not
in session. WINS more quiet than an ordinary
country village. A stranger in the place was SO
rare that people stopped to inquire what his
business was Even during the sessions OF Con-
gress tho number Of outsiders who were drawn
10 the city seldom exceeded one thousand.
There were Office seekers. Of course. then us
now but they never presented Themselves in
sufficient force To- interfere with those Prrsi.
DENTAL duties thnt were unconn.cte1 with IN.
distribution ~ nntronace Thc pr.sident had
abundant time 10 pondor questions of npllic
policv. and no was thus uhle =, bo in II nr,n.r
sense the leader OF his party. Now no has no
time. He must either neglect the office seek
ers which is death TO his prospects. or he must
surrender himself 20 their opportunities. which
Is death 10 his fame. I think do Mr.. Tildeu
no Injustice when say TINT No n di.nenser NJ
nntronnpetwhi.h il ,hon, all tbntthcrsisl af, ~
the Presidency he would ont a worry moor 1.,nre
The chief conplnint n,ade nruinst him. whil,
he WAS Governor WAS that he neglected. the
routine work and ignored the propri.ties and
courtesios OF tho Office Aupl,ants for
ON 80 seldom found him n, home and his nm.
pointments often violated tho accented rul.s Of
political rewards and punishments Even those
who wen, 10 call on him with no axes 10 grind
and who merely wanted to tell him tina, they
annroyed his course ,core receival with s.ant
favor. and wore sometimes ropelled As the
Governor Of Now York is not a dispenser Of
patronage. EXCEPT in a very limited sense. these
pccuiarities Of Mr.. Tilden attracted no great
attention outside Of this city. But IL they were
transferred to the White House. imagine the
result! Moreover. Tllden is not wise in his
choice Of men. He is i'm patient Of contradiction.
suspicious Of rivalry. and fond Of nattery
Taxing the most charitable view Of the cipher
despatch business. il must be conceded that he
was unfortunnt, in his friends. He deliberately
surrounded himself with people whose moral
tone Was so low that bribery was easy and nat
ural a. them have 40 doubt that he empha,-
ically disapproyei their conduct but this dis
approval dil not extend 10 tho persons impl-
Gated; that is 10 say. while he condemned their
acts. he not only endured their pr.,rnr, lut
utilized their abilities. In the Presidential
ofilce. with such surroundings and with all his
innrmitle- oftemper and mind. he would prob
ably achieve a signal failure. II he were 10 do
cline denomination. he would escape the
calamities " POSSIBLE election. and conlpol a
change in the opinions Of those who consider
him selfish. But II he remains in tho Held. IL is
not unlikely that he Will be the choice Of the
next Convention. As Isaid in the becinn.n,
there Will be no other candidate from New
York"
Repeating tho points Of this conversation 10
another Democratic leader. who il looked upon
~ n moderate advocate Of Tldon was re-.
wardrd With tho following EXPRESSION Of opin-
on: Whatever else may be said in regard 10
the opposition to Tilden. it is certainly very ba /