The Abbeville messenger. (Abbeville, S.C.) 1884-1887, 1884-10-15
MIR. TFi.DEN SPEAKS AGAIN.
words or Wisdom Uttered nv ,bo
Great Democratic Leader

the National Democratic Convention
Samuel j. Tilden has written the fol-
lowing letter:
GEAYSToNE, October 9th, l9S4.-Mr
Chairman and Gentlemen of tho Conn
mlttcc: thank you for the kind terms
IN which you have communicated tho
resolutions concerning me adopted by
the late Democratic National Convcr-
ton. share your conviction that re-
form IN the administration of the Fcdcr-
cral Government, which is our preot
national want AMI is indeed essential to
the restoration and preservation of the
government itself, can only be achieved
through the agency Of the Democratic
party and by installing its representa-
tive i'll the chief magistracy of the Uni
tel States. The noble historical tradi-
ions OF the Democratic party, the prn-
ciples in which it was educated and to
which it has ever been in the main FIRTH
lul, its freedom from the corrupt inllu-
enccs which grow up in prolonged DOS
session Of power. and the natural cle-
mcnts which constitute it, all contribute
TO qualify it for that mission. The op-
poslte characteristics and conditions
which attach to the Republican party
make it hopeless to expect that that par
ty will be able to give better govern.
ment than the dcbasing system of abus-
cs, which, during its ascendancy, has
injected official and political life in
this country. The Democratic party had
Its origin in the efforts of the more adj
vanced patriots Of the revolution to re-
slst the pcrvcrsion of our Government
from the ideal contemplated by the peo-
pie. Among its conspicuous founders
were Benjamin Franklin and Thomas
Jefferson, Samuel Adams and J ohm Ham
cock Of Massachusetts, George Clinton
and Robert II. Livingston of New York,
and George Wythc and James Madison
of Virginia. From the election Of Thos.
Jefferson as President in 1900, for sixty
years the. Democratic party mainly
directed our national policy. II
extended the boundaries Of the
republic and laid the foundation Of all
our national greatness, while it preserved
the limitations imposed by the Constitu-
ton and maintained simple and purc
system of domestic administration. On
the other hand, the Republican party has
always been dominated by principles
which favor legislation for the benefit Of
particular classes at the expense of the
body OF the people. 1t has become
deeply tainted with abuses which natu-
rally grow up during a long possession of
unchecked power, especially in period
OF civil war and false finances. The pa
trlotlc and virtuous elements in it arc now
unablc'to emancipatc it from tho sway
of the selfish interests which subor,li-
nate public duty to personal greed. The
most hopeful Of the best citizens it con-
tains despair Of its amendment except
through its temporary expulsion from
power. 1t has been boastingly asserted
by modern Massachusetts statesman,
struggling to reconcil himself and his
followers to their Presidential candidate,
that the Republican party contains dis
proportionatc share Of the wealth, cul-
ture and intelligence of the country.
The unprinciplcd Grafton, when twittcd
by James II with his personal want
Of conscicntiousncss, answered: "That
is true, but | belong to party
that has a great deal Of conscience.n
The same claim has been made in all
ages and countries by defenders Of old,
wrongs against new reforms; It was al
legged by the Tories Of the American
Revolution against the patriots Of that
day; 1t was repeated against Jefferson
and afterwards against Jackson; it is
alleged by the Conservatives against
those who in England are now cndcav or
'ng to enlarge popular suffrage. All
history shows th'S reform in government
| must not be expected from those who
sit sercncly OH social mountain tops,
enjoying the benefits of the existing
order Of things. Even the Divine Author
Of our religion found his followers not
among the self, complac ut Pharisecs but,
among the lowly-minded. The specimen
Republican party is largely made up of
those who live by their wits and who
aspire in politics to advantages over tho
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
sentiments or Imagination 1t re-,
suits that tho Democratic party, moro
readily than the Republican party, can
be moulded to tho, support of reform
measures which involve the sacrifice of
| selfish interests, The indispensable ne-