Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1895-05-16

ernment as the most earnest and en-
thusiastic friend Of sound currency
could possibly desire.
Mr.. Tilden wasof the opinion that, as
between those OF the people who want
ed nothing for themselves out OF poll
ties, but wanted
GOOD GOVERNMENT ONLY,
and those Of the people who were in
politics for what the then Governor of
New York saw fit in 1892 at Chicago TO
call "A part OF the carcass, the major
ity Of the former belonged in the Dem
ocra;ic party. He was also OF the opln-
ion that insidethe Democratic party the
former class exceeded the latter. The
problem was 10 getit the former class
interested and organized. Otherwise
they were hOpelessly beaten. 1t was es-
sential TO a true Democrats govern
ment to keep the control Of
party in New York in the
hands Of its better elements
BY continuous hard work and very
narrow majorities that was generally
accomplished until 1885.
Ii is unnecessary to enter into any
statement of the greatest Of all events
in the life Of Mr.. Tilden, his election to
the Presidency, and his seclusiOn from
it, All the world knows the end. At
ter f-hting all his life for the principle
that 'the viii OF the people is always 10
govern" he was made the enc shining
victim OF the violation Of that princi-
pie Nh Tilden had his faults, as ell
have, but for courage, steadlastneas,
thorough belief in his principles, and
complete trust in the people. this ccun-
try and this century have not seen his
superior.
The whole political career Of Mr.. Til
den 6Worthy of the most careful study
by all who take an interest in public
AFFAIRS. It is especially worthy Of
study by those who profess to believe
in The principles of the Democratic
party. MIR. Tildcn assumed active
leadership ofhis party, after the war at
time when it had reached q point
when it stood for nothing except mere
opposition. Whatever political be-
liefs its members entertained were 50
indistinct and underlined that the pre-
sentacon OF them was wholly without
force and totally incapable of accom-
plishing results. 1t was ready at any
time to sacrifice any belief and well
come any alliance which promised
return to power. It had neither the
confidence af the American people at
large nor that Of
MANY or IT'S OWN MEMBERS.
1t still rested under the odium which
had attached to it during the war, and
was looked upon as an asylum for
every element Of discomfort that man
Tested itself. 1t stood for nothing
sound upon the money question and
had not as yet formulated any agrees
sive policy upon that of the tariff. It
had in many States welded itself to
the party Of greenbaCk fiatism and re-
pudiated every monetary principle for
which it had stood during all the
prior years Of its existence. It's boast
that it believed only in
dollar worth inTinsically a dollar.
and which, throughout the course of
the whole war il had repeatedly made
in opposition to the advocates of legal
tender issues, was forgotten, and
many Of its prominent leaders were
loUdcst in their insistance upon a cur
roncy which intrinsically was value
less and whose only sign of value was
the stamp affixed to il. Nowhere was
there cOherency Of purpose or unity of
reforms. 1t was an unCrganiZed mass
idea It's struggles accomplished no
reforms appaTentlywith0ut other pur-
pose TIM to dislodge its Republican op-
ponents and take possession OF the
emoluments Of public Office
Its paramount need was a great
leader and a political purpose other
than mere assertion Of plans Of doubt
full eXpediency. In Mr.. Tilden it found
both leader and purpose. He was the
one man within the party's ranks who
at that time embodied something def
mite and was possessed of political be-
liefs that had been put into operation
and accomplished great results. His
views, as expressed and acted upon.
were Of a character 10 win to him and
For them the respect Of 4 great body Oe
American citizens, who had detached
themselves from their allegiance to
either political party and stood in
stead, ready to support that which
whether il came from the one or the
other political organization promised
the best results to the government. He
knew
TIE ELEMENT OF STRENGTH
in this disinterested body of good citi-
zens. and was able to bring it to the
support of the ideas of reforms that
were his and the principles which he
hoped to make his party's. lie was
conspicuous for his advocacy OF gov
ernmental reforms and economy Of pub
lie expenditure. His Intellectual abili-
ties were such as enabled him to for
mUlate into sentences those things
which many were thinking but could
not express. He repudiated the idea
that the government could create mon
ey and refuse to form an alliance with
either greenback or other fiatists. For
tunately for the Democratic party it ac-
cepted at that time both Mr.. Tildels
leadership and his principles. and. rs a
result, it for the first time since the be-
ginning of the war had definite pUr-
pose TO accomplish and drew to itself
the respect and following of the best
elements Of the country.
The whole results flowing from his
leadership, as that Of Mr. Cleveland
whose faith, as did Mr.. Tilden's. rests
in the mass of the people, and in the
efficacy OF an idea, demonstrate that
the Democratic party is so constituted
that to bring forth results It must
stand for something that is sound in
principle and correct in practice. IL
has never accomplished anything. and
never can as long as it puts itself in
the attitude of mere opposition and CO.
quotes with heresies which receive
neither recognition nor sanction at the
hanls of lis prnatasf ln.alnrs II will