The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1886-08-12

| ability or hls faithfulness to public
duty more admirably displayed.
In both these cases the offenders were
prominent and powerful In the political
party with which Mr.. Tilden was lden-
titled, and any ordinary politician
would have left 1t to some member OF
the opposing party to attack them. But
this was not Mr.. Ellden's style. He did
not so understand the obligations Of
party fealty. A Democrat who had de-
frauded the people and plundered the
Treasury was to him even more an oh.
ject of detestatlOn than Republican Of
the same sort. In striking at the canal
ring he struck at one OF the most potent
political forces In the State, but bis
blows were all the more unsparing be-
cause we'll known Democrats we're the
chief offenders.
In this way Mr.. Tilden was one Of the
greatest refOrmers we have seen. he
reformed the State government and
made New York better Commonwealth
to live in, and the people Of the State
stood by him, and, In spite Of all the en-
emies he had made, gave him in 1876,
when he was candidate for the Presi-
deDcy, majority Of more than thirty
thousand.
In 1875 Mr.. Tilden was elected Presi-
dent, and through Republican con-
spiracy was deprived of the office. Of
these facts there Is now no question
among intelligent and candid men IN
any party. he has been blamed by some
for not asserting his rights, calling the
Democratic masses about him, and rails
ing the standard Of resistance against
the outrageous decision. We have never
been able to agree with this blame, and
1t seems to us that history will justify
his conduct In that memorable crisis.
II will never" he said to US at the time,
"be party to any course which will ar
ray my Countrymen In civil war against
bloOdshed on my garments" He prefer
red rather to leave the controversy to
tire judgment Of time and justice Of the
people. That judgment was promptly
formed, but 1t never had an opportunity
Of authoritative expression. This was
due, In measure, to the same modera.
tion and dignity Of character which he
exhibited at the cOnsummati0n of the
fraud. In 1880, and again In 1884, he
refused to enter into any competition
for the honor Of the Presidency. He
would not present himself as candi
date. He would not allow 1t to be sup
posed that he desired the nomination of
the convention. In truth, he did not
desire 1t. We thought at the time that
he carried too far this instinct Of inde
pendence, this scrupulOus unwilling
ness to compete for the cfice; and we
felt especially In 1880 that the c0nVen.
tion was In the wrong when 1t failed to
nominate him without regard to h.s
word or wish. Certainly profound
impulse of dissatisfaction has prevailed
throughout the country 5Ver since. MIL
lions of men, the men Of all parties.
have desired that the great wrong
should be righted, and that they might
be allowed to give him their suffrages.
This feeling has remained ardent and
intense to the very hour of his death.
Many friends of his we're ready to urge
that willing or unwilling, well or Ill,
he should be nominated and elected to
the Presidency to vindicate the right Of
the people to correct the unspeskable
infamy committed In 1877. But his
death has put an end TO all these hopes,
and the man who more than any other
represented the very principle of the
Republic, and whose part In Its history
is unique and imperishable, has passed
away from among US forever.