The daily Cairo bulletin. (Cairo, Ill.) 1878-1???, 1884-10-09
TILDEN'S LETTER.
Ex-Governor Tilden Answ srs the Spec
ial Committee Of the National
Convention.

New YORK, October S.-After sew
eral weeks OF delay occasioned by his
feeble CO ndition and the constant
and pressing demands of private af-
fairs upon his time and attent on, ex.
Governor Samuel j. Tilden has found an
opportunity to answer the communlca-
ton of the sp cial committee of the
National Democratic Convention. His
reply was as follows:
GREYsToNE, Octobers.
Mr.. Chairman and Gentlemen Of the Committee:
thank you for the kind terms in which you
have communicated resolutions concerning
me adopted by the late National Democratic
Convention. share your conviction that
reform in the adm n!stialion of the Federal
Government, when Is our great MAJ
tlonal want and Is indeed essential 10
the res GRAFTON and preservation OF the Gov
crnmcnt itself, can only be achieved through
the agency of the Democratic party and by
installing its repre- 'entativcs in the chief
mag ,stiacy of the United stites The noble
historical traditions OF the Democratic party;
the principles in which 1t was educated, and
to which it has ever been In the main faith
full: its freedom from corrupt Influences,
which grow up in prolonged possession Of
power and the nature Of the elements which
constitute 1t, all contribute TO qualify II for
that mission.
REPUBLICAN CHARACTERISTICS.
| The opposite characteristics and conditions
which attach to the Republican party mako II
! hopeless to expect that that party will he able
| to give better government than the debasing
system OF abuses, which, during its ascend.
ency has infected official and political life In
this country.
HISTORICAL.
The DptuOcrafir Marty had tfq Ortvif, iY, thu
efforts OF the more advanced patriots OF the
Revolution TO resist perversion of our Govern
ment from the ideal contemplated by tho
people. Among its conspicuous founders are
Benz. Franklin and Thomas Jefferson, Saml.
Adams and Jno. Hancock, of Massachusetts,,
Geo. Clinton and Robert II. Livingstone, of New
York, and George Myth and James Madison,
Of Virginia. From the election of Mr.. Jeffer-
son rs President In 1900 for sixty years the
Democratic party directed our National poll
cy Ii extended the boundaries of the Re.
public and laid the foundation of I'LL our Ma
tional greatness, while IL preserved the limi-
tation imposed by the constitution and main.
tanned the simple and pure system Of domes-
tic administration.
On the other hand the Republican party has
always been dominated by the principles
which favor legislation for the benefit OF par.
ticular classes at the expense OF the body of
the people 1t has become deeply tainted
With the abuses which naturally grow up dur
ing long possession OF unchecked power esI
pccally in period OF civil war and false
inance. The patriotic and virtuous elements
in ii are now unable to emancipate II from the
sway Of selfish interests which subordinate
public duty TO personal greed. The most
hopeful OF the best citizens 1t contains de-
spair of its amendment except through its
temporary expulsion from power,
FALSE PRETENsEs.
1t has been boastingly asserted by a modern
Massachusetts statesman, struggling to rec.
oncilc himself and his followers to its Presi-
dental candidate, that the Republican party
contains dsproportionate share of the
wealth, the culture and the intelligence OF the
country. The unprncipled Grafton. when
tainted by James H. with his personal
want of conscience, answered.; THAT Is
true, but belong to u party that
has great deal OF conscience
such reasoners forget that the same claim
has been made in all ages ana countries by
the defenders of oil wrongs against new re.
forms. II was alleged by the tories OF the
American revolution against the patriots OF
that day. II was repeated against Jefferson,
and aitcrward against Jackson. IL Is alleged
by the Conservatives against those who In
England are now endeavorng TO enlarge the
popular suffrage.
REFORM NECESSARY.
All history showed that reform In Govern
mcnt must not be from those who sit sercnely
on the social mountain tops, eyeing the
benefits Of the existing order OF things.
Even the divine author of our religion
found his followers not among complacent
Pharlsees, but among lowly-mfnded Usher
men.
The Republican party Is largely made up OF
those who live by their wits and who aspire to
advantages over tho rest of mankind, similar
to which their daily lives IRE devoted to SO.
curing In private business.
The Democratic party consists largely OF
those who live by tho work OF their hands, and
whose political action is governed by their
sentiments or imagination.
II results that the Democratic more readily
than the Republican party can be moulded to
the support of reform measures which involve
sacrifice of selfish interests. The inds-
pensable necessity of our times Is Il change
of administration In tho great executive
Offices of the country. This In my judg.
mcnt can only be accomplished by the cleo
ton of the Democratic candidates Tor Presi'
dent and Vico.pio Sident.
lSignedl SAMUEL J. T1LDEN.
TO K. H. Henry, Chairman, b. d. Smalley and
others Of the Special Committee OF tho
Democratic National Convention.