The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1884-05-14


by friend of Mr.. Tilden, ''who sometimes
hits the mark" that the arrangement now is
that when the New York Democratic State
convention meets it will declare its support
for Mr.. Tilden for President, and that there
upon, Mr.. Tilden will cause to be produced
letter emphatically declining, etc. This
will be very pretty as stage play, and its au-
thors may reasonably hope that it will be eff
fective. Mr.. Tilden's great role is to appear
to be above the petty aspirations that tempt
other men, and to pose in the character of the
only man in America who would not
accept the presidency, even though dropped
into his hat. The ''grand old man" must be
compelled to forego his own desires, and to
please take the nomination from silver salver.
When the July convention meets at Chicago,
and the respective claims are presented for
consideration, the hackers of the man from
Gramercy Park will be prepared to argue, first,
that he is the only man Of the lot who has
been great enough to say to New York con-
vention, ''No, l cannot be your candidate; the
country needs me, and without me, or some
body as near like me as may be found, public
me; 1 am already staggering under weight
of honor such as never fell upon an American
citizen This will be the signal for '"tremend-
GUS applause" and renewed cheering"
As second argument it will be urged
that he can carry New York, and come
as near carrying any other close State
after the election-as any man living. His
record, made in 1867, will sustain this
claim. He is man of resources and political
shrewdness that will stop at no expense nor
hesitate to employ any means to secure
his ends. The plays success, the cOnven-
ton goes into raptures, Mr. Tlden's F1ofty
patriotism" is the theme of universal eulogy,
his Objections" are generously overruled and
he is nominated amidst intensest enthusiasm,
such as no national convention ever witnessed.
Great is humbug and Tilden is its prophet.
The country has not yet forgotten how the
st. Louis convention was manipulated in bis
favor His desperate attempt to buy the nee
essary electoral votes is also matter of public
knowledge. His pitiful whining of fraud" has
been kept up ever since Heproved martyr
before the Cincinnati convention, but said
''nay' when somebody suggested that he
enter q race for vindication. He undoubtedly
wanted denomination, but wanted it in the
character of a saint. He protested too much
to get what he wanted as gift, and not
enough to get it as the only fitting tribute to
his sefexalted abnegation. Experience has
made him wiser Realizing the error
of his tactics Of four years ago,
he has not failed to show his
wounds and invite commiseration. He
will again decline" but his claquers will see
to it that ''this time it doesn't count" If this
man may be judged by any human standard,
he is the most pitiable pleader for place yet
discovered. For eight long years he has
pleaded the baby act of fraud, and for no
other purpose than TO keep his "claims" be-
fore the public. He will now make the last
desperate struggle to realize on his petty in
vestment, being well assured that his age
alone stands in the way of complete success
so far as the action at Chicago is concerned.
These would be hard things to say of almost
any other public man in the country, Yet
they are so VIGOROUSLY true as to admit of no
controversy. Since the desperate men who
precipitated the rebellion have passed out of
prominence, Tilden is the most dangerous
man in the nation. His methods mean death
to popular government, and his most shame
less attempts to buy his way to the psesi-
dency have done more to corrupt politics than
all other influences combined. 1t is absurd to
claim any virtue for him. If he declines
nomination it will be done ostentatiously and
for purpose. In his condition OF helpless
ness, bordering on imbecility, and at his time
Of life, he would never be seriously thought of
as a candidate did he not continually scheme
to bring about such sentiment. His every
action may well be regarded with suspicion.
He does nothing idly and without a purpose;
and as for him rising above the dignity of ac-
cepting the highest place in the nation, it is
an absurdity worthy only of the credulity of
fools.
THE special grand jury impaneled to invest
igate the Cincinnati riots has made its report,