The weekly Floridian. [volume] (Tallahassee, Fla.) 1867-19??, 1884-10-14
LETTER FROM GOV. TILDEN.

Democratic Supremacy Necessary to Re
farm Of the Governnent - Reform
Necessary for its Perpet"otiom.
New YORK, October THE following
is Mr. Tilden's letter in RESPONSE to the
resolutions presented to him from the
National Democratic Conv ention:
"GREYsIoNE, October 9Th, 1884
q" W. Chairmuu a,d Gentlemen. Of the
Con.nlittee
Il thank you for the kind terms III
which you have communicated the resolu-
tlons concerning ME, adopted by the Dem
ocratic National Convention share
your conviction that ;he reform ~ the
administration of the Federal Govern
ment, WHICH ir Uui S,--~ -~--.. ~"I * IT.
deed, essential 20 the restoration and pre-
servation OF the Government Itself, can
only be achieved through the agency of
the Democratic party, and by installing
its representative in the Chief Maglstracv
of the United States.
The noble historical traditions of
the Democratic party, the principles
III which it was educated and to
which it has ever been in the main faith
full, its freedom from the corrupt inhuen-
ces which grow up IN the prolonged pos
session OF power and the nature OF The
elements which constitute 1t, all contrl-
cute t. qualify it for that mission The
opposite characteristics and conditions
which attach TO the Republican party
make it hopeless to expect that party will
be able to give better government than
the debasing system ot abuses which,
during its ascendency, has infected official
and political life in this cou"try.
! Tine Democratic party had its origin
! in The efforts Of the more advanced pa
trio;s of the Revolution to resist the per
version of our government from The Ideal
contemplated by the people. Among its
CONSPICUOUS founders are Ben]Arn
Franklin. and Thomas Jefferson, and
samuel Adams, and John Hancock, of
Massachusetts George Clinton and Roo
I ert r. Livingston, Of New York; ana
| George Wythe and James Madison, ot
! Virginia. From the election Of Mr.. JET
ferson as President in 1900 for sixty years
the Democratic party mainly directed our
National policy. 1t extended the bound
aries of the Republic aud laid the tound4
| (lOuS Oh Oil Jul ANAttO.idt CotuCSo,
it preserved the limitations imposed by
the Constitution and maintained a simple
and pure system of domestic admluls,ra-
tlOn.
son 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 long possession OF
unchecked power, especially in the period
of civil war and false finance. The
patriotic and virtuous elements in it are
now unable TO emAncipate it from the
sway of selfish interests which subor-
dinate public duty TO personal greed.
The most hopeful Of the best citizens it
contains despair Of its amendment, except
through its temporary expulsion from
power
1t has been boastingly said by mod.
ern Massachusetts statesman, struggling
10 reconcile himself and his followers tu
their Presidential candidate, that the Re
publican party contains disproportion
ate share of the wealth, culture and intel
ligence of the country. The unprincipled
Grafton, when taunted by james the u
with bis personal want Of conscience, an
swered. That is true, but belong tc
q party that has q great deal of con
science Such reAsoners forget that the
same claim has been made in all ages snG
countries by defenders Of old wrongs
!. against new reforms. 1t was alleged By
the Tories of the American revolution
agsins. the patriots Of thar day; it wa,
. repeated against Jeferson and Afterwart
, against Jackson; it is slleged by th'
Conservatives against those who In Eng
| land are now endesvoring to enlarge tn
: popular suffrage. All history show
. that reforms in government must no
: be expected from those who cit ss
: renely on the social mountain topc er
), ioying the benefits of The existing ords
; Of thinsA xssa the Divine AashOr