The weekly Floridian. [volume] (Tallahassee, Fla.) 1867-19??, 1883-10-30
HON. SAMUEL ,. THLDEN.


Editor. Fyoridian: Ny name and station are
20 insignificant thai, probably, owe an excuse
for this communication to those eminent Florid'
ians whose ahilitie. assure them the prerogative
of advising in great affairs. The minds OF
the people" heard that distinguished jurst and
democrat, Judge Cooke, say, commonly run III
one direction" therefore the opinion OF one in
the ranks may be taken US u straw inning which
way the popular wind blows. This is my justi-
ficatlon as To our leaders and leave you To de-
termine whether my demand for space be unreas
enable.
Among the striking singularties that mark
this era of partisan politics and speculative traf-
fic the most notable is, perhaps, the ever preva-
lent spirit OF personal vituperation and dictate
rial criticism. | mean that audacOuS and cynl-
cal temper which essays Ia drive men by moral
or physical force instead of by reason, tair argu-
mentation and free agency. 1t may he more
clearly defined by characteriZng il as the spirit
OF bull-doZing;" which, in trade, is vigilant to
corner fellow being and impudently pluck him
in politics, ever prcmeditatng and devising
tricks OF fraud, force and mastery. dcvlish
prOclivily overriding the conscience and in di-
rect warfare with law and precept; hesitating
not to destroy character, however spotlcss, to
achieve sinister purpose. 10 generally verify
these premises, have only to invite attention TO
the universally of The unmanly practice by par
tiSan editors and small politicians OF hurting sa-
tire and dcIacion AT statesmen whose virtues
and usefulness commend them 10 the esteem and
confidence of their cnuntrymen. And, pray,
is it not time that men, protesting TO be 'vcrned
by civilized sentiments, begin to consider the
moral ASPECTS of this deamatOry spirit, and es-
chew such tactics IL not only incons isient with
Justice, but impolitc and suicidal? | believe
it may be iruthiully said that no public man of
conceded prc-cmnance has been more shame
fill, atf.l
ous citizen WHOSE name heads this article, and
who for dignity of Character, versatility of
powers, resources of knowledge, capacity of
craftsmanship, and nhlrmishe1 probity, is
hardly surpassed in either hemisphere. And
nowhere has he been more unjustly traduced
than in democratic circles. Aud for What? Be
cause simply that he, in obedience To the
prompings of conscience and patriotism, declined
IL inv0!vo his county in intestine war by an I'M
potent and Walters nian attempt 10 force his
way to The presidential char, in the teeth OF
President Grants imperial and premeditated
threat that Hayes should be inauguratcd if it
necessltatcd the mobilization Of the whole army
to accomplish il. Who does not acknowledge
the stern resolution o! General Grant? Who
does not know that he held the rens of govern
ment with the IRON gIlp OF il Caesar, and had
ample power To defeat the public will? 1t is
idle to question whether his conceptions were
right or wrong; for, right wrong, General
Grant madts no Idle threats. He never acted in
his lite from impulse, and in his conclusions he
gave no thought 10 consequences. Al this juno
ture he threw down The challenge of civil war
to conceal the crimes OF his party and save to
them the patronage and The treasury. 1t is ap-
parent. hence, that Mr. Tilden abstained from a
quixotic attempt :orcaliZc the climax OF his gen
erols ambition, not because he coveted The
Dresdenl, honor less but because he
loved his country more The omlnous and
exciing crisis he then encountered was one OF
Of
genius aud The supports of hope give way, and
man sinks in helpless despair only To be lifted up
by the inspiration Of patriotism This fair and
niagnanimOs estimate of his motives and con-
duct is so incligby and Enthusiastically correct
that The wavfaring man must be simpletOn,
beyond The ordinary marks of folly, who errs in
his appreciation OF il. What a manifestation,
then of patriotic forbearance. What integrity
of purpose And, may add, what an exhibit
ton OF confidence in tn judgment and esteem
of the American people! All men are in state
of trial aud the ISSUE an alternative, determined
bv the wise or unwise conduct of the actors.
The test Of The issue is an investigation by
thoughtful men and when Mr. Illdcn is thus
tried there will be appropriate verdict OF re-
ward by The people. Indeed they have already
wisely renewed their purpose of re electing to
the Presidency this incorruptible champion Of
their rights whose eve is yet undimmed and
whose mastery intellectual force is rather
rpened by experience than abated by age who
proposes and promulgateS to-day the exact prin-
ciplcs formulated by Jefferson and maintained
by Madison, MnnrOe and jackson. The temper
and disposition Of Mr. Tden are marked rather
with the severe attributes of the Roman charac
ter than with the f1exie purpose of the softer
tempered Greek. His devotion to democratic
doctrines has, therefore, been life long and inva-
riable. In sunshine and in storm. in evil and in
good reports, he has been a faithful sentinel on
the wachowtrs of the Constitution, guarding
u-itb "a inolOuS tho nplitral riphtS Of all
tons Of the Union. Above all has he been the
able and unaltering friend of the South. Then
what reason for humiliation, what cause for
shame and confusion of face to those among us
who have smittrn his reputation with ingrati-
tude Verify there is sword keener than the
execniiuner's axe; ii is the envenomed tongue
of defamation in the mouth of him who is uncul-
cuating and unwise.
If we hone to see Democratic President in
1884, our candidate must be a man whose record
shows his honesty and his faith to have been
lifelong an abe and consistent advocate Of
democratic principles He must be statesman
possessed OF executive ability one not only ca
pabe of seeing and devisng but of carrying
into practice The remedies needed TO eradicate
governmental abuses and corruptons-a man of
the sterntst scruples the most infexible courage,
the purcs heart, the shrewdest judgment.
Let me repeat that the democratic party has
Just such man. His honored name carries
with it the prestige OF victory; having never
been defeated when candidate for the suffrages
of the eople. His peerless reputation as
party teacher is acknowledged and dreaded by
his adversaries his personal popularity is ma
iional, and should he be the nominee year
hence, not only will he 1t ad Il solid party, but
party en,hused by the prospect of certain vic
tory, no member Of which hut would he able to
point with pride to The banner upon which
would bc inscribed:
For President.
SAMUEL j TILDhS.
Yours respectfully,