The Prince George's enquirer and southern Maryland advertiser. (Upper Marlborough, Md.) 1882-1925, 1907-05-24
3 ECRETARY ROOTS TRIB-
UTE TO MIR. TILDEN.

SECKETARY ROOTS TRIB-
UTE TO M X. TILDEN.
'.Citizenship" was the subject Of
Secretary Roots lecture at Yale Uni
versity lsst Monday theme upon
which the head of our State Depart
ment discoursed with exceptional
force aud elearness. In the course OF
his lecture Mr.. Root paid high tribute
TO the greatness and patriotism OF
Samuel j. Tilden. He said, in part:
at has always seemed to me that
Mr.. Tilden pursued very patriotic
and commendable course when the
election to the Presidency was in
question between him and Mr.. Hayes
in 1875. There were in this country
many men of high character and stand
ing who urged that Mr.. Tildsns title
to the Office should be asserted by
armed force. Mr.. Tildsn lost the
Presidency, put he gained what was
OF far greater value-the title to the
esteem and gratitude of all good citi-
xens."
Mr.. Tilden was q man OF lofty
ideals, strong intellect, practical re-
former. He was an ambitious man and
believed that he was entitled to the
exalted office for which be was the
chsise of his party in 1875. The am
bition was = worthy one. When he
renowned it he proved his greatness
and patriotism beyond question. As
Mr.. Root intinated, the issue of war
or peace was within bis determination.
Had he decided to submit his claims
to the arbitrament of force, the coun.
try might have beeu plunged into civ
il war. Mr.. Tildsn sacrificed himself.
He gave an exhibition of sublime
remuneration for which this nation
should always he grateful. he put
citizenship above party, the welfare
of the republic above ambition.
1t may be that if such crisis were
to arise again in this country it would
be met with equal patriotism and wis
dom. We might even witness the
spectacle of q party intrenched in
power declining to contest the title,
on frivolous and narrow partisan
grounds, of a candidate of whose cleo.
ton there seemed to be no reasona BILE
doubt. 1t is regrettable, however,
that Secretary Root, who has excellent
powers of analsyis, coupled with great
boldness of speech at times, failed to
express an impartial and fearless
opinion concerning President Hayes
right to the Presidency. Thirty years
after this crisis IN our history even Sc
stanch = Republican as Mr.. Root
ought to be free to speak plainly on
this subject, and, without bringing
his loyalty to his party into question,
TO say whether or not Mr.. Tilden was
called upon to make the sacrifice
which his political opponents demand
ed.
10 1875 Capitalization of power at
Washington was one OF the Issues
upon which Mr.. Tildea's party ap'
pealed to the voters. That this cen
tralization existed to very great de-
gree was demonstrated by the attitude
of the party in power toward Mr.. Til
den after it appeared that be had been
elected to the presidency. The tone
of comment adopted by his political
opponents seemed to suggest that
they had an inherent right to eontin-
ne in control of the government; that
the man or party that challenged their
claim Was guilty Of treason. Since
1876 Capitalization has advanced be.
yond the stage which it had reached
80 years ago. 1t has assumed other
forms, and has developed in various
directions not dreamed of generation
ago. If there should be in the fut ure
a crisis similar to that of 1875, would
l. 10 81
representatives Of the party in power
insist that the Presidential candidate
OF the party out of power make all the
sacrifices? Would it compel submis
sion to compromise by which the
candidate for President elected on the
lace of the returns would meet the fate
of Mr.. TildeD! Such reflections seem
to be pertinent because Of the dispo-
sition in certain quarters now to die
tate the nomination of candidate
who is understood to be pledged to the
policies of the President whom he is
to succeed. Such reflections are per.
tinent because it is openly proclaimed
that the election Of the man thus nom.
mated is regarded by the statesman
whom he is to succeed as essential to
the glory, honor and prestige of the
President and indispensable to the
welfare Of the country. That was the
state of mind Of the dominant party in
1876. Mr.. Tilden's self-sacrtice was
the outcome. Will history repeat it.