Year: 1874

Il


predict how man so untred in executive
responsibility will acquit himself. But he is
uuquestionably a man of great speculative
ability in politics. and nothing could be more
sound, Just and pertinent than the sentiments
he delivered in his speech on Thursday even
ing at the democratic glorfcaton. Mr. III
den has slevel head" There is an advan-
tage in electing to high Office gentleman
who has achieved distinguished success in
private life, who has been the trusted adviser
of great pecuniary interests and has been
accustomed to look at things with the large
ness of view which results from wide connec-
tions. But such An adviser may have no ex-
perience in the details Of ordinary manage
ment, and is quite as likely to be weak as
strong as practical administrator. While,
therefore, it is not yet possible to feel much
confidence in Mr.. Tilden as an executive Off
GER we are constrained to admit that the
views he expressed in his recent speech are
such as no statesman need be ashamed Of
The advice he gave to the democratic party
is eminently wise, sound and judicious
Whether he shall prove on trial to be an able
executive officer or not nobody can dispute
his sagacity as an adviser of his party in the
flush of victory, which SO easily unsettles weak
intellects and causes men without ballast to
make a foolish and fuddled exhibition of
thoughtless exultation.


In Foiiy's cup stlll laughs the bubble JOY.


We are glad to find that Mr.. Tildeh is too
solid man to go off in shallow effervescence
over a sudden political victory. He feels the
responsibilities which accompany power.
The wonderful success of his party in the re-
cent election has a SOLDERING effect on his mind
constraining him to consider the public duties
imposed by political success. The best proof
that Mr.. Tilden is equal to his new situa-
tion is found in the solidity and sound judg-
ment he manifests in the leadership to which
he is sosuddenly promoted. Men Of sense
Of all parties will commend the absence Of
frothy exhlaration, and the wisdom, dignity
and sobriety which he manifested in his re-
cent speech, when the temptation was SO
strong to make an empty spread-eagle dis
play. Political power brings heavy and
anxious responsibilities, and in the position
Of leadership to which Mr.. Tilden is suddenly
elevated we are glad to find that his head is
not turned and that sense of duty sobers
the exultation Of success


The democratic party was never in so dam
gerous position as it is to-day. If it gives
way to idle and foolish joy if it fancies it
can safely overturn the great results of the
war; if it assumes that power in prospect is
the same as power in possession; if it
attempts to turn back the bands on
| the political dial plate and undo all
the republican party has accomplished,
the condition Of the country will be worse
than if the recent great victories had
not been achieved. Everything depends on
the democratic party being wise, moderate,
considerate on its paying proper Difference
to the settled public opinion of the country
respecting great questions which have been
decided once for all on its recognizing the
fact that since the war the country has
passed into new era, and that our politics
can never be restored to the condition in
which they existed previous to the great
contest.


Mr.. Tilden gives reasonable evidence that
he understands his epoch" The best thing
in his speech at the Manhattan Club is his
frank recognition Of the fact that the recent
democratic victories are indebted to republi-
can cooperation, and can be maintained only
by keeping the republican support to which
they are due. The following passage from
Mr.. Tilden's speech is full recognition of
the duty of democrats to concillate their late
opponents :-"Many republicans voted with
us, and if we are wise in our future policy
they will generally remain as permanent CO.
workers in our cause Many thousands of
republicans who have not had the moral
courage to break away from their party ties
slept more TRANQUILITY on the night after the
election. In our success they felt sense of
relief They saw the dawning OF new hope
for their own personal prosperity and for the
rescue Of the imperilled institutions of our
country Let as, then, in the midst of our
congratulations, not forget to be magnani-
nous toward our adversaries in the recent
contest" These excellent remarks should
sink deeply into the hearts of thoughtful
democrats. 1t is so evident that the demo-
cratic party succeeded in the late elections
only by the assistance of former opponents,
and that the victory can be maintained only
by their continued cooperation, that it is
manifest point of prudence to confne demo-
cratic action within such limits as will not
shock honest republican feeling The whole
future of the democratic party depends on its
following these prudent suggestions Of Mr..
Tilden The great results Of the war, in
cluding negro rights, must be accepted
without question if the democratic party
expects to gain control of the government,
and the reforms proposed must be of such
character that honest republicans as well as
honest democrats can indorse them. Mr..