The clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1883-1888, 1884-04-30
POLITICAL

We publish, below the Letter
Tilden to theEgoqaois Club 81
comment. It is gOOd enough Is stand
by itself:
NEw -HoRE, April II. 1854
GENTLENEN-I have hSafbs honor 4,
reeeive your invitation to the hir5 apnpaI
oanq aet oi the lroquois Club TO Nspond 10
the sentiment, The Federal eonstifr,.
tloni1 have also received private ME-,
asking written response ~ the sentiiAopf
10 case am prevented from attendine%T
have been for some time, and am still e&
/ ceptiOnally engrossed with business. wbicS
have no power TO defer or abandon. /
must, therefore, communicate with YOU In
writing, and my answer must be brief.
On the formation OF the Federal Cousti-
tuition GouYerneur Morris, who had been
a conspicuous member Of the Convention,
being asked what he thought OF the Consti.
tuition, replied: That depends upon how
il is construed. The Democrats party
was originated in the resistance by the more
advanced patriots OF the Revolution 10 the
efforts which were made TO change the
character of government by a false con-
struction OF the Constitution, imposing on
q new system monarchiAl bias. Mr. Jef-
ferson's election in 1900 rescued our free
institutions from the perils which sur
rounded them, and secured sixty years of
administration mainly in harmony with
their design and true character. When
an attempt was made to break the Union
and TO dismember the territorial intimacy
of the country, the people were compelled
70 make manly choice between these
and the dangerous Influence OF
civil war upon the character OF the govern
ment. They patriotically and Wisely re.
solved to save the Union first and 10 re-
pair the damage which our political system
might sustain when the more imminent
dangers had been provided against.
The first work was successfully accom-
plished, but twenty years have since
,lapsed and the work of restoring the gov
srnment to its original character is not
ret accomplished.
Our wise ancestors had warned US that
( we fell into civil discord our free system
vas liable to perish in the struggle BY an
change Of its character. NOT
'nly have the best traditions of the
,atriots who won independence and estlb-
ished freedom, lost their authority, bat
ur cherished political system is slowly
osing its hold upon life under the fungus
rowths of false constructions and corrupt
ractices.
The government itself has become
lenacing factor in elections.
AS LONG AGO As 1876,
expressed the opinion that the opposition
ust embrace at the beginning Of the can
lss two-thirds of the voters to maintain
aiority at the election. In this history re-
sats itself. In most countries the gov
nment maintains by force or fraud;
ZEN in the comparative popular system Of
ngland, the monarchy has until lately
,ntrolled majority of Parliament, and
decided elections by court
vors, Jobs and money taken from tie pub
, treasury This is hard saying but
e recent publication Of the papers OF de-
ased statesmen leave no doubt upon the
bject.
In our own country, the government in
sad of standing as an impartial arbi,er
mid the conflicts of maturing opinion and
Intending interests, has itself descended
TO the arena, equipped with all the weap-
9 of partisanship. Its myriads Of office
lders, its alliances with or against vast
cuniary interests, its unlimited command
money, levied from its defendants and
llraCLOTS, HAFe hulHCGu 70 q
ljority in every case but one. In that case
e MILITARY FORCES AROUND THE cAPl-
Toll,
d by this and other menaces intimidated
ngressional Representatives OF major
of the people TO relinquish the fruits
their victory and surrender the govern
mt TO the control OF a minority.
No reform Of administration is possible
long as the government is directed by a
rty which Is under the dominance Of
sc doctrines and animated by enormous
cuniary interest in perpetuating existing
uses.
The first efectual step ia the reform OF
r government must be 4 fundamental
lnge in the policy OF It's administration.
G work of reform will be difficult enough
h the whole power Of the government
srted in accomplishing il. / have such
th in the benignant Providence which
} presided over the destiny Of our coun-
in every trial hitherto, that ] do not
,pair Of an ultimate deliverance. Though
can no longer aspire to be one Of the
ders in this great work, bid those upon
ON this august mission may fall, God
ed. S. j. TLDEE
s. Corling Judd, Chairman Of the Po-
itical Committee, lroquois, Club.