Year: 1874

The democratic nomination for the Cover


norship will not be made until after this mum =
Der of the HERALD reaches Syracuse; and Mr..
Tilden must find his strength in the Conven-
ton so much less than he anticipated befor Q
the delegates assembled that we would fain
hope the advice we have heretofore rendered
him from the most friendly motives may ut
last be listened to in the kindly and consider
ate spirit in which it is offered Mr..
Tlden is gentleman of too much sa-
gacity and breadth of view to mistake this
Tor an ordinary election. He knows as well
as anybody can tell him that it is of vital con-
sequence to the success, and even the exist
ence, Of the democratic party as national
organization. If the democracy lose this
election it is the knell Of great and once
powerful party which has done more than
any other to make the history and shape the
policy of the country. But if it wins this
election by a handsome majority against SO
strong and popular candidate as Governor
Dix, the rejuvenating effect of such victory
will be incalculable. 1t will operate as an
electric touch on the nerves of the
NSAAOSAoeiO oiSuAlZaViOn eAAOu5ACAS sAO
United States, recalling the proud MEN,
orles and prestige of the party in the
palmy days of its greatness and historic splen-
dor, and inspiring fresh hopes of an equally


brilliant career in the future Ought these


possibilities to be sacrificed to any mans per-
sonal ambition? Ought any claims, however
just, for the reward of long party services to
be put into the scale and weighed against the


chances of o solid triumph which would be
like the magnificent dawning of o new day
after the long and cheerless night of demo-
cratic depression If this were mere Or


dnary State election, involving nothing be-
yond the possession of the State Offices in one
Of the thirty-seven members of the Union, MIR.
Tilden's ambition would be perfectly legiti-
mate and he would be justified in refusing to
surrender his claims in favor of q more popu-
lar candidate. But his claims to official
recognition by the New York democracy seem
almost an impertinence when pushed, in a
crisis like the present, against the deliberate
Judgment of large and influential portion
of the party leaders. 1t is to be regretted
that old friendship and personal ties
should have led Governor Seymour to
defend Mr.. Tilden's canvass on this low and
narrow ground. In an interview with him,
printed few days since in the World, Mr..
Seymour reasoned as if the coming election
had no wide national bearings; as if it were
mere contest for paltry state Offices of no
value except as badges of party recognition;
fI,ic oil NJ WI, <ho
whole future of the democratic party is
staked were mere question of rewarding in
dividul men for party services. That inter-
view was almost as great blunder as the
previous one with John Kelly, published In
the same journal, unless indeed, Mr.. Sey-
mour wished the democracy of the State to
understand that Mr. Tlden's candidature is
indetensible except on the sordid ground of
personal claim for party reward. The sub
stance Of what Mr.. Seymour said was that he
had himself been repeatedly honored by the
party; that Judge Church's party services had
received similar recognition; that the same
was true of Mr. Ganson and the other demo-
cratic gentlemen who have been talked of as
candidates tor Governor, and that it would be
hard and inequitable if Mr.. Tilden, who has
faithfully served the party for 80 many years,
were alone to be denied the honors and re-
wards which attest the appreciation and graft
tude Of the party Mr.. Tildsns worst enemy
could not have placed his candidacy at this
supremely critical conjuncture on more inde-
feasible grounds. 1t is subordinating the
great interests and permanent welfare of
the party to the personal claims of an indi-
vidual "a mode Of reasoning to which
statesman of the high standing of Governor
Seymour could not have descended if his
mind had not been biassed by personal friend
ship. And yet Governor Seymour defended
the aspirations of Mr.. Tilden on the only
ground upon which they are defensible at ALL


But the only valid claim of any candidate in
such crisis as the present consists in his
ability to rouse public enthusiasm and make
victorious canvass. He should be leader
of such assured popularity that the very an
nouncement of his name would inspire the
democratic ranks with perfect confidence of sue
cess MIR. Tllden is not such a candidate, for
two-thirds of his own party do not believe
that he can be elected Mr. Tilden's COM
parative weakness is confessed by his own
supporters The World has published an in
terview with Allen G. Beach. former Lieuten-
ant Governor, in which he gives one of the
strangest reasons for preferring Mr.. Tlden that
could be imagined. Mr.. Beach says that it
Judge Church were the democratic candidate
the administration would be 80 alarmed that
it would pour all its resources into this State
to defeat him, whereas it would not deem it
necessary to make such exertions against MIR.
Tilden Truly, no candidate ever got such
queer backing from his friends as Mr.. Til
den. Everything they say in his defence is
an argument against his popularity. His


friends, no doubt think they are befrlending