Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1884-10-08
TILDEN ON THE PARTIES.
DEMOCRACY BEST ADAPTED TO
THE WORK OF REFORM.

Its traditions and Principles Cited In
Proving the Faet-Its Glorious Accom-
Plishments While in POwer-Repub-
lican PretensiOns to Sanctity Only a
Repetition of the Claims of All Power
full and Corrupt Organizations.
NEW YORK, Oct. THE following is
Mr.. Tilden's letter in full in reply to the
resolutions presented to him from the Ma
tiOnal Democratic Convention:
GRAYsTONE, Oct. E, 1884.
MR.. CHAIRMAN AND GENTLEMEN OF THE
COMMITTEE: | thank you for the kind terms
IN which you have communicated the resOlu-
ions concerning me, adopted by the late
Democratic National Convention. / share
your conviction that reform in the admin
Istratl0n Of the Federal Government, which is
our great national want, and is indeed essen
tial TO the restoration and preservation of the
government itself, can only be achieved
through the agency OF the Democratic party,
and by installing its representative in the
Chief Magistracy of the United States. The
noble historical traditions OF the Democratic
IartY, the principles in which it was. educa-
ted and to which 1t has ever been In the man
faithful, its freedom from cOrrupt Influences
which grow up IN prolonged possession of
power, and the nature of the elements which
constitute al, contribute to quality it for that
MISSION Inc opposite characteristics and
conditions which attach to the Republican
party make 1t hopeless to expect that that
party Will be able to give better government
than the debasIng system OF abuses which
during ITS ascendancy has infected Official and
political life in this country. The Demo-
cratic 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 the people. Among
It's conspicuous founders were Benjamin
FraPklin and Thomas jefferson, Samuel
Adams and John Hancock of Massachusetts,
George Clinton and Robert II. Livingston of
New York, and George Wythe and James
Madison OF Virginia.
DEMoCRACY's LONG REIGN.
From the election of Mr.. Jefferson as Presi-
dent IN loOO for sixty years the Democratic
party mainly directed our national policy 1t
extended the boundaries of the republic and
laid the foundation of all our national
greatness, while il preserved the Limitations
imposed by the constitution and mamtained a
simple and pure system Of domestic admins
ton On the other hand, the Republican partv
has always been dominated by principles
Which favor legislation for the benefit of par
ucular classes at the expense of the body of
the people. 1t has become deeply tainted
with abuses which naturally grow mp during
4 long possession of unchecked power, es-
pecially in period of civil war and false
finance. The patriotic and virtuOus elements
In II are now unable to emapcipate it from
the sway OF selfish interests which subordinate
public security to personal greed. The most
hopeful of the best citizens 1t contains despair
of 1t being amended, except through its tenn
porary expulsion from power. 1t has been
DOastlngly asserted by a modern MaSsachu-
sets statesman, struggling to reconcile him
self and his followers to their Presidential
candidate, that the Republican party contains
a adlspr0pOrtOnate share of the wealth, culture
and intelligence OF the country. The unprn-
eIpled Grafton, when taunted by James III.
with his personal want of conscience, an
swered: 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 defend
ers OF old wrongs against new reforms.
USED AGAINST THE PATRIOTS.
1t was alleged by the Tories of the American
revolution against the patriots of that day.
1t was repeated against jefferson and after
wards against jackson. 1t is alleged by the
Conservatives against those who, in England,
are now endeavOring to enlarge popular suff-
rage. All history shows that reforms in gov
ernment must not be expected from thO-e who
sit serenely on the social mountain tops, en-
JOyInS the benefits of the existing order of
things. Even the Divine Author of our re-
iigiOn found his followers not among the self
cOmplacent Pharisees, but among the lOwly-
minded fishermen. The Republican party is
largely made up of those who live by their
wits, and who aspire in politics to advantages
over the rest of mankind, similar to those
which their daily lives are devoted to
securing IN private business. The De-
mOcratlc party consists largely of those
who live by the work of their hands, and
sentiments or Imagination. It results that the
Democratic party, more readily than the Re
publican party, can be moulded to support
reform measures which involve the sacrifice
OF selfish interests. The indispensable neces-
sity of our time is a change of administration
IN the great executive offices of the country.
This, in my judgment, can only be accom-
pilshed by the election of the Democratic
candidates for President and Vice President.
SAMUEL j. TILDEN.
To R. II. Henry, Chairman; b. b. ASBadIIey
aud others Of the Special Committee Of the
Democratic National Convention.