Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1884-10-10
Mr.. Tilden's Letter.

The following letter from Hon. Samuel j.
Tilden was written in response to the reso-
buttons adopted by the Democratic National
Convention at Chicago as testimonial of
the esteem and admiration in which he Is
held by the Democratic party, and pre-
sented to him September 8, 1884, by COM
mittee specially designated for the purpose:
GREYsToNE, Oct. 6, 1884.
Mr.. Chairman and Gentlemen Of Committee:
thank you for the kind terms in which
you have communicated the resolution con-
corning me adopted by the late Democratic
National Convention.
l share your conviction that the reform in
the Administration of the Federal Govern
ment which is our great national want and
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 rep
resentative in the Chief Magistracy of the
United States.
The noble, historical traditions of the
Democratic party, the principles in which
it was educated and to which it has ever
been, in the main, faithful its freedom from
the corrupt influences which grow up in the
prolonged possession of power and the ma
ture of the element which constitute it, all
contribute to qualify it for that mission,
The opposite characteristics and condi-
tons which attach to the Republican party,
make it hopeless to expect that that party
will be able to give better government than
the debasing system Of abuses which, dur
ing its ascendancy, has infested official and
political life in this country.
The Democratic party had its origin in
the efforts of the more advanced patriots of
the revolution 10 resist the perversion of
our Government from the ideal contem-
plated by the people. Among its conspicu-
Gus founders are Benjamin Franklin and
| Thomas Jefferson, Samuel Adams and John
Hancock, oil Massachusetts; George Clinton
and Robert II. Livingston, of New York,
and George Wythe and James Madison, of
Virginia. From the election of Mr.. Jeffer-
son as President in 1900, for sixty years the
Democratic party mainly directed our ma
tiona policy. 1t extended the boundaries
Of the Republic and laid the foundations of
all our national greatness, while it preserved
the limitations imposed by the Constitution
and maintained simple and pure system
of domestic administration.
On the other hand the Republican party
has always been dominated by principles
| WHICH luNOT fcSislhbiUu lOT Jne DbLcIlt OI
particular classes at the expenses of the
body of the people 1t has become deeply
tainted with the abuses which naturally
grow up during long possession of un-
checked power, especially in a period oil
civil war and false finance. The patriotic
and virtuous elements in it are now unable
to emancipate it from the sway of selfish in
terests, which subordinate public duty tc
personal greed. The most hopeful of the
best citizens it contains despair Of its amend
ment, except through its temporary expul
sion from power
II has been boastingly asserted by mod
ern Massachusetts statesman, struggling u
reconcile himself and his followers to thei
Presidential candidate that the Republican
party contains a disproportionate share o
the wealth, the culture and intelligence o
the country. The unprincipled Grafton
when tainted by James the Second will
his personal want OF conscience, answered
"rhat is true; but belong to a party tina
has great deal of conscience"
Such reasoners forget that the same claim
has been made in all ages and countries BY
the defenders of old wrongs against new re
forms 1t was alleged by the Tories Of tn
American revolution against the patriots o
that day. 1t was repeated against Jefferson
and afterwards against jackson. 1t is al
legged by the Conservatives against thos
who, in England, are now endeavoring l.
enlarge the popular suffrage
All history shows that reforms in govern
; ment must not be expected from those VIII
sit serenely on the social mountain tops en-
I joying the benefits Of the existing order q
things. Even the divine author Of our rel
gion found His followers not among tn
> self-complacent Pharisees, but among lowl,
D minded fishermen.
( The Republican party is largely made u
I of those who live by their wits and who as
pire in politics to advantages over the res
OF mankind, similar To those which the
daily lives are devoted 10 securing in pr
, vate business.
, The Democratic party consists largely {
those whose live by the work of their hand
and whose political action is governed b.
} their sentiments or Imagination.
II results that the Democratic party NOR
readily than the Republican party can
moulded to the support of reform measure
which involve a sacrifice of selfish interests
, The indispensable necessity of our times Is
change OF administration in the great execu
, tive offices of the country This, in my judg
/, ment, can only be accomplished by the ele(
ton of the Democratic candidates for Pres
. dent and Vice President
. SAMUEL j. TILDEN
f 70 r. ii. Henry, Chairman b. b. Smalle
and others of the special committee of I'll
, Democratic National Convention.