Evening star., 1901-06-22
1876 md 1904.

Senator Clay of Georgia, IN an 1nterV1e"
printed in the Washington Post. declares
that democracy must divorce populisn, and
return to single and better life. 1t must
| respect. and not antagonize, the business
interests of the country if it is to hope for
another lease of national power. Mr.. Clay's
views are in very close accord with those
of David B. Hill
Asked to the man to lead the democ-
racy in 1904, Mr.. Clay replied:
Il must confess that L do not see in sight
at this time a person whose name l would
suggest as the presidential nominee. Some
great man will arise equal to the occasion,
like Tilden did in 1876. We want a man
whom the intelligent democratic thought Of
the country will indorse and who will unite
the Separa ted elements of the party. We
want reformer in the true sense of the
word-not a reformer who follows after i'm
| practical reforms but who will be a re-
former of the Tilden type"
Mr.. Clay is evidently a great adnirer Of
Mr.. Tilden, and has good reason to be. Mr..
Tilden had many strong qualities. being a
great lawyer. an admirable writer and a
political organizer without a superior in
either party. He was moreover a man of
courage in Office. and as governor he gave
the state of New York an excellent admin
istration. He was a reformer. and no mis-
take. But he made his record as a reform
er by Furnishing thieves in his own party
1t was Tweed. the democratic boss of New
York city, who gave Mr.. TiIden his oppor
tunity. Otherwise the country would prob
ably never have known him as a presi-
Dental candidate:
AS General Grants second administra-
tiOn drew to close. the republican party
found itself very much embarrassed. Men
whom the President had trusted had de-
ceived him, and. rioting in their opportuni-
ties. had brought reproach upon their par
ty. Naturally reform became the demo-
cratic watchword. and reformer-the real
article; all wool and a yard wide-must
head the national ticket. Enter, Mr.. TIL
den. He was undoubtedly reformer. The
man who had had the courage to throttle
| Tweed and his gang was able to read his
title clear to the consideration of the coun-
| try. And so he was nominated on the one
| side. and Mr.. Hayes a compromise man,
| on the other. and Mr. TfIden came within
| one vote of the prize in the electoral COL
| lege
| But of course, another TiIden calls for
| something of the same situation that Mr..
| Tilden improved. And at present there is
no promise of that for 1904. The republican
party is not handicapped now as it was in
| 1876 by scandals. 1t is not torn now as 1T
was then by a feud which all efforts had
| failed to compose Mr.. Blaine and Mr.
| Conkling have both passed over to the
great majority. and that warfare IS ended.
| Tammany under Croker is, it is true, as
! corrupt as it was under Tweed, but, while
| a battle is opening on the organization,
| there will probably be no such opportunity
as Mr.. Tiiden enjoyed and improved for
| personal distinction So that the cry of re-
form in 19o4-it is always in order. and is
| always raised-will be without the condi-
! tionS which made 1t so effective for the de-
| mocracy under Mr.. Tilden's leadership in
the memorable campaign of 1876.