Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1886-08-04

The death of Mr. TiIden while II cannot be
called unexpected untimely, owing TO his
advanced age and physical infirTnity, will
shock and sadden the whole country. In spite
OF the intense partisan feeling which marked
the memorable campaign of 1876, Mr.. Tiiden
himself, even in the midst of the contest, aud
much more so since then, occupied very high
place in the esteem OF his Ieliow-ci:izens. His
record as governor of New York, and in New
York city reform politics, was iilustriOus, and
the dignity and patriotism which he manifested
In the trying situation in which he was placed
by the electoral commission won the admira-
ton OF all and silenced the sneers and criti-
cislas OF even MS bitterest political enemies.
Since then MIR. Tilden had done little in public
capacity, but that little was OF a high standard
OF excellence. His occasional letters on public
topics have been imbued with a deep aud sim
cere spirit of patriotism and progressiveness
and they will go down to posterity as model
specimens OF statesmanliile utterance. The
pivotal point of Mr.. Tilden's career was the
defeat of the democrats in 1876 and 1877.
Without going into the question of the right
and wrong of that campaign at this late day, it
may be said that the result OF the confess. I'M
doubtedly strengthened Mr.. Tilden with the
people greatly, and If he had been renominated
In 1850 he would in all probability have been
elected The failure of his party to nominate
him then was of the most singular and
mysterious political freaks OF modern times.
Mr. Tilden, who down TO 1876 had been re-
garded simply as a brilliant lawyer and a poll
tician OF the higher SORT was fortunate in hav-
Ing his life prolonged sufficiently to enable the
country TO see that he also patriotic
statesman, and, above all, man OF strong
character and courageous seEf-control.
A good deal of warlike talk continues to be
heard along the Mexican border and elsewhere.
and in certain quarters the possibility of taking
n m of Nlr mt RIGHTS
American citizen is seriously discussed. OF
course in a case of this kind ii matters nothing
whether the aggrieved citizen is a man of good
or bad character, or of great or small import
ance. But at the same time, when all the facts
of the case are recalled TO mind and considered
calmly, it is hardly conceivable that two great
nations would dream of going to war over such
Q trivial matter. War is a most dreadful thing
involving immense sacrifices of life, health,
time, money and energy, and in this enlght-
ened age of the world it is inexcusable except
when absolutely unavoidable. The principle of
arbitration, 20 which this country is honorably
and conspicuously committed, is the correct
principle 10 apply in settling disputes between
nations. War is not only unchristian and bar
barous-it is also clumsy and old-fashionad
method OF carrying point. The honor of a
nation, as of an individual, is precious, and
must be maintained. But respectable indi-
viduals nowadays do not defend their honor by
recourse To weapons or physical force. They
either go to law leave the question at issue to
the arbitrament of mutual friends. Then there
Is a fair chance that rational, dignified and
Just solution may be reached. But when a man
Kills another in a duel, when one prize fighter
whips another in the ring, il doesn't prove that
the better man has won; and fight between |
the United States and Mexico would lead to a |
no more satisfactory conclusion in the light of
reason and common sense. Diplomacy, arb- |
tration, and, in extreme cases, the adoption of |
policy of exclusion or negative retaliation |
are the winning cards in the game of statecraft |
In these times.