The Abilene reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1883-1888, 1884-10-16
A LETTER FROM TILDEN.
Reply to the Resolutions Of the
National Convention.
General Review of Democratic Political
PrincipIes-The Points of Difference
Between the Great Polit-
ical Parties.

NEW YORK, Oct s.-The following is Mr..
Tilden's response to the committee of the
National Democratic Convention conveying
to him the resolutions of that body:
GREYsToNE, Oct. 6, ISSf-Mr. Chairman and
Gentlemen OF the Committee: thank you for
the kind terms in which you have communi-
Gated the resolutions concerning me adopted
by the late Democratic National Convention.
/ share your conviction that reform in the
Administration of the Federal Government.
which is our great National want, and is in
deed essential to the restoration and preser-
walton of the Government itself, can only be
achieved through the agency of the Demo-
cratic party and by installing its representa-
tive in the Chief Magistracy OF the United
States.
The noble historical traditions of the Demo-
cratic party, the principles i'll which ii was
educated and TO which it Eas ever been in the
main faithful, its freedom from the corrupt
influences which grow up in prolonged pos
session of power, and the nature of the ele-
ments which constitute it, all contribute to
qualify it for that mission The opposite
characteristics and conditions which attach to
the Republican party make it hopeless 10 ex-
pect that that party will be abe to give bet
ter government than the deoasing system or
abuses which, during its ascendancy, mas in
fected official and political life in this coun-
try.
The Democratic party had its origin in the
efforts of the more advanced patriots of the
revolution to resist the perverSion of our
Government from the ideal contemplated by
were Ben AMIN Franklin and Thomas Jener-
son, Samuel Adams and John Hancock, OF
Massachusetts,; George Clinton and Robert K.
Livingstone, of New York and George Wythe
and james Madison, of Virginia. From the
election OF Mr.. Jefferson as President i'll 800
for sixty years the Democratic party mainly
directed our National 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 y
Of hnsWNn in a
ministration. On the other hand, the
Republican party has always been dominated
by principles which favor legislation for the
benefit or particu ar classes at the expense or
the body of the people. 1t has become deep
ly tainted with the abuses which naturally
grow up during long possession Of unchecked
power, especially in the Period of civil war
and false finance. The patriotic and virtuous
elements in II are now unable TO emanclpate
il from the sway of selfish interests which
subordinate 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 bolstfully asserted by Il modern
Massachusetts statesman. struggling TO rec
oncile himself and his followers to their Pres
idential candidates that the Republican par
ty contains disproportonate share OF the
wealth, the culture and the intelligence OF
the country. The unprIncipled Grafton,
when tainted by James II. with his personal
want of conscience, answered: THAT is true,
but belong to party that 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
wrong &againSt new reformrrS. Ii was al
legged BY the tories of the American revo-
luton against the patriots of that day. ltwaS
repeated against Jefferson and afterward
against Jackson. 1t Is alleged by the ConSerV-
ativeS against those who in England are now
endeavoring to enlarge the popular suffrage.
All history shows that reforms in Govern
ment must not be expected from those who
sit serenely on the sOciIl mOuntain-tops en-
-oying the benefits of the existing order OF
things. Even the Divine author of our relig-
ion found his followers, not among the self
complacent phariSeeS, but among lowly-mind-
ed fishermen.
The Republican party is largely made up of
those who live by their wits. and who aspire
in politics to advantae es over the rest of man.
kind. similar 10 those which their dairy 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 results
| that tie Democratic party, more readily than
the Republican party, can he nodded to the
support of reform measures which involve Z
sacrifice of selfish interests.
The Indispensable necessity of our times IS
a change of Administration in the great eX-
ecutive Offices OF the country. This, in my
judgment, can only be accomplished by the
ection OF the Democratic candidates for
President and Nice-i resident.
SAMUEL J. TILDEN.
To r. II. Henry chairman. Il. b. Smaliey
and others of the Special Committee of the
democratic National Convention.