Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1884-10-10

SON- Last WOfQS-
New YORK, Oct. THE following
is from Mr. Tilden's response to the
committee of the national democratic
convention, conveying to him reso-
lutions of that body:
GREYsroNE, Oct 6, 1884
Mr.. Chairman and Gentlemen of the Committee:
thank you for the kind terms in which you
have communicated the resolutions concerning
me adopted by the democratic national conyen-
ton. share your conviction that reform in ad-
ministration of the federal government which is
our great national want and IS indeed
essential 10 the restoration and preservation
of the government, can only be achieved through
the agency of the democratic party and by in
stalling Its representative in the chief admins
tracy of the United States. The noble historical
traditions of the democratic party, the principles
ia which it was educated and to which it has ever
been in the faithful, its freedom from corrupt in
fiuenceS which grow up in the prolonged posses
sion of power and the nature of the elements
which constitute it, all contribute to qualify it for
that mission. The opposite characteristics and
conditions which attach to the the republican
party makes it hopeless to expect that that party
will be able to give a better government
than the deoasing system OF ABUSES ] wasai our d
political life in this country. The democratic
party had its origin in the efforts of more ad-
vanced patriots of the revolution to resist the per-
version of our government from the ideal CON
tempated by the people. Among its conspicuous
founders are Benjamin Franklin and Thomas JEFF
h,
Massachusetts,, George Clinton and Robert R. Liv
ingstone of New York, and George Wythe and
James Madison of Virginia From the election
of Mr.. jefferson as president IN lsOo;
mainly directed our national policy. 1t extended
the boundaries of the republic aud laid the found
ations Of all our national greatness, while it pre-
served the limitations imposed by the constltu-
ton and maintained a simple and pure system of
domestic administration. On the other hand the
republican party mas always oeen 90 aomna.ea aI tei
benefit Of particular classes at the expense of the
body of the people, 1t has become deeply tainted
with the abuses which naturally grew up
during a long possession of unchecked power
especially in the period of civil war and false
finance. The patriotic and yirtllous elements in
it are now unable to emancipate 1t from the sway
of selfish interests, which subordinate public duty
to personal greed. The most hopeful of the
best citizens it contains, despair of its amend
ment except through its temporary expulsion
from power. 1t has been boastingly asserted by
a modern Massachusetts, statesman struggling TO
reconcile himself and his followers to their presi-
dental candidates that the republican party con
tainS dsproportionate share of the
wealth, the culture, and the intelligence of the
country. The unprinciped Grafton, when taunt-
ed by James the Second with his personal want
of conscience, answered, THAT is true, but be-
long to party that has great deal of con
science" Such reaSoners forget that the same
claim has besn made in all ages and countries 6y
was alleged by the tories OF the American
revolutution against the patriots of that
day. 1t was repeated against JeIteF-
son and afterwards against jackson.
1t is alleged by the conservatives against those
who, in England are now endeavoring to en-
large the popular suffrage. All history shows
that reforms in government must not be ex-
pected from those who sit serenely on the social
mountain tops, enjoying the benefits of the ex-
sting order of things-even the Divine author of
our religion found his followers, not among the
sef-complacent Pharisees, but among lowly-
minded fishermen. The republican party is made
up of those who live by. their wits and
who aspire in politics to advantages over the
rest of mankind similar to those which their
daily lives are devoted to securing in private
business The democratic party consists largely
of those who live by the work of their hands and
whose political action Is governed by their senti
ments or Imagination. 1t results that the demo-
cratic party more readily than the republican
perty can be moulded to the support of refrom
measures which involve a sacrifice of selfish in
terests. The indispensable necessity of our times
is a change of administration in the great execu-
tive offices of the country. This IN my judg-
ment, can only be accomplished by the election
of the democratic candidates for president and
vice president
(Signedl SAMUEL ]. TILDEN.
To r. E Henry chairman, B. B. Smalley and
others cf the special committee of the demo
cratic national convention.