The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1882-02-04
The Next Democratic Leader.

That Mr.. Tilden should have been re-nom-
mated in 1880 is a fact that most Democrats
now realize, and it is gratifying to note how
the Democratic press and leaders throughout
the country are centering upon him as the
leader in 1884. Mr. Tilden is our strongest
man. He is the ablest statesman IN the coun-
try. As an organizer he has never had an
equal in American politics. The campaign
of 1876, under his management, was the best
organized ever known. With him as a leader,
the next presidential contest will be arepetl-
ton of that of 1876, with more definite re-
suits. No power can then resist the Democ-
racy, and Tilden's majority in the electoral
college and on the popular vote will be beyond
any possible doubt. Had he been our leader
in 1880. the Grant wing could not have saved
Mr.. Garfield from ignominious defeat. The
theft of the presidency would have been the
square issue, with Tilden representing the de-
frauded and Garfield, the chief actor OF the
conspirators, representing the defrauders.
In 1884 Mr.. Tilden will be seventy years
old, but his age will be no bar to his nomna-
ton and election. Most of the Presidents OF
the United States, in fact all of them, have
been under seventy years of age, but declining
mental faculties was not the cause Washing
ton was sixty-five when he laid down the pres
idency, declining reelection. Jefferson
was sixty-six when he followed Washington S
example, and he retained his mental power
some sixteen years longer. Madison was SIX
tv-six at the end of his term, and lived and
retained his mental vigor for about twenty
wears after. Monroe was nearly sixty-eight
at the close of his second term, and lived SIX
wears longer After Jefferson, two terms be-
came the unwritten law on the tenure the Of
flee ofpresident, neither age ormental dlsabn
ity being the cause of retiraey. John Adams
was in his sixty-sixth year when his term eX-
pired. and was a hale old man up to the time
of his death, at ninety. Harrison was IN his
sixtv-ninth year when he was inaugurated,
and TAYLOR in his sixty-siXth, while Buchanan
was in his SEVENTEEN year at the end OF his
term. Mr.. Buchanan lived number of years
after, and wrote history of his admlnlstra-
ton. which is one of the most valuable con-
tributons to the political history OF the coun-
try. Andrew johnson was in his siXtieth year
when he left the executive chair, and some
wears later Tennessee sent him to the United
States Senate jefferson Davis is nearly sew
enty-four years of age, and he has Just com
pleted a history of the late Confectionery.
Peter Cooper, now up in thenineties, and still
II N date
sdent in 1876, but little more than five years
ago.
Thus we see that age is not necessarily bar
to public service. Mr.. Tilden is a we!I-pre-
served and healthy gentleman, with no signs
of decay. Compared with many Of the public
men of the country who have gone before, Mr.
Tilden is still young, with the prospect OF
many years of usefulness before him.
five look across to Europe we observe men
far older than Mr. TiIden filling high places
of great responsibility. KingWiliam of Ger
many is eighty-fye, Won Moltke is past eighty
one. GortchakQff is eighty-three, and Glad
stone is in his seventy third year. Dsraeh
was premier of England at seTenty-fve, and
wrote Endymion q little later, and Palmerston
was eighty-ono.
In 1876 the opposition press labored hard
to impress the people with the idea that Mr.,
Iilden's health was failing and that an early
dissolution was certain, and when his name
was mentioned for the presidency in 1880 the
same object was sought. Mr.. Iilden still
lives; and still lives in the confidence and es
TEEN of the great Democratic party, and com
mands the confidence, too, of commercial and
financial circles, while his eminent abilities
as a statesman are recognized by all parties.
May he be spared to lead the Democracy to
victory in 1884, and bring back the countryto
its constitutional moorings and establish that
efficiency, honesty and economy in the public
service that was once the pride and boast of
this great republic.