Port Tobacco times, and Charles County advertiser. (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1845-1898, 1884-05-02
A Letter from Mr.. TiiGen-A Eeyiew
Of the Political situation.

ed OF gentlemen prominent in the Demo
cratic party, gave third annual bang ue,
at the Palmer House recent y. The local
attendance was very large, in addition To
which there was gathering OF distin-
quished gentlemen from al parts Of the
country.
After an address by C,l. W. c. p.
Breckenridge, of Kentucky, the follow in Q
letter was read from exGov Tilden:
New York. April II. 1851.
GENTLEMEN Il have Ind the honor To receive.
your invitation Ia the thiri annual banquet OF
the lroquois Club Ia respond Ia the sentiment.
'fhe Federal Constitution" | have also r.c.iy-
ed private letters asking "a written respons., tn
the sentiment In case am prevented from at
STILL exceptionally engro>S-d with business
which have no power To defer or abandon |
must, Therefore, communicate with you in writ
ing and my answer must be brief
ION the formation of the federal constitution
when GOuveneur Morris, who had been "A rnn-
what he thought Of the constitut on replied :
That depends upon how IL Is construed"
The Democratic party originated In the resis-
lance by the more advanced patriots OF the revo-
luton To efforts which were made. Ia change TN,
characterof our government by "A false cunstruc-
ton OF the constitution and lmpres>ng on the
MI. Jeifersou'S election In IsD rescued our
free institutions from the prril> which surround
ed them. and secured sixty years OF aIministra-
ton mainly in harmony with their design and
true character. When an attempt WAS made to
break up the Union and iiSnl mbar tn. tarritor-
ial Integrity of the country people were. cOInn.l-
ed To make a manly choice between thes.. caiam-
tiles and the dangerous influence of a civil war
NJ on the character OF the government. They pa
triotIcaily and wisely resolved To save the Union
first and to repair the damage which our politi-
cal system might sustain when the more imml-
nent dangers had been provided against The
first work was successfully accomplished, but
10 years has elapsed since. and the work Of re-
storing the government tn its original character
is not yet accomplished our wis. ancestor. had
warned us that If We fell into civil discortis our
free system was liable TO perish in the struggle.
by All insensible change OF its character Not
only have the best traditions of the patriots who
won Independence ahd established freedom lost
their authority, but our cherished political sys-
TEN Is slowly losing its hold upon life under the
fungus growth of false constructions and corrupt
practices. The government itself has become. a
menacing factor in elections.
As long ago as 1876 expressed the opinion
that the opposition must embrace at the begin
ming OF the canvass twO-thirtls of the voters to
maintain majority at the election. In this his
tory repeats Itself. In most countries the gov
eminent maintains itself by force or fraud
Even in the comparatively popular system Of
England the monarch has until lately controlled
4 ajOrity of ParliameCt and tly decided
elections by court favors jobs and money taken
from the public treasury. This is a hard saving
but the recent publication of the papers OF her
subject.
IN our own country the government, instead
OF standing as an impartial arbter amid the con-
fiicts OF maturing opinion and contending inter
ests, has itself descended into the arena equip
ped WITH all the weapons of partis;tnship It's
myrads of officeholders. its alliances with or
against vast pecuniary interests, its unlimited
command of money, levied upon its contractors
and dependents, have sufficed to determine a
majority in every case but one. In that case
1t collected military forces around the Capital
and by this and other menaceS intimidated the
congressional representatives of q majority of
the people to relihquSh the fruits of their victo-
ry and to surrender the government to the con-
troll of minority.
mo reform OF administration is possible so
long as the government is directed by a party
which Is under the dominion of false doctrines
ana animated by enormous pecuniary interests,
in the perpetuatiOn of existing abuses The
first effectual step in the reform of our govern
ment must be a fundamental change in the pol
icy of its administration. The work of reform
will be difficult enough, with the whole power
OF the government exerted in accomplishing il.
| have such faith in the benignant Providence
which has presided over the destiny of our coun-
try in every great trial hitherto that do not de
spair of our ultimate ielivcrance. Though |
can no longer aspire to be one of the leaders of
this great work, bid those of you on whom this
august mission may fall God speed.
49, J. TILDEN."