Year: 1874

do it.


TIE ADMINISTRATIONS PRESS ON THE


NOMINATION.


1t is very much to the credit of the Admin
istration journals of the State that, so far as
they discussed beforehand the claims and
qualifications of the several candidates for the
Democratic nomination for Governor, they
frankly recognized the fact that the logic of
the Democratic professions of reform pointed
Enthusiastically to the gentleman who was
nominated at Syracuse on Thursday. Indeed,
they almost may be said to have advised and
urged his nomination. In doing this we give them
credit for rising above the narrowness of par
tisanship and for taking into view the great
publc benefit to be derived from having for
the candidates of both parties men of distin-
guished ability and unimpeachabe integrity,
instead of following the instincts OF petty
and unpatriotic selfshneBs by endeavoring to
induce their opponents to weaken and stultlfy
themselves. Mr.. Tilden, at no small risk
of personal popularity and political influence,
and with no conceivable motive but desire
for the public good, had fairly revolutlonized
his own party. In arresting the corrupt ana
prohigate career of the Ring that ruled 1t, he
had contributed to its temporary defeat. But
the movement he led was a success, and the
party was shrewd enough to discern in the
signs of the times the wisdom of assuming
the responsibility and claiming the credit for
the Reform. They have done this persistently.


1t was plain enough to the most casual OBJ
server that from the moment Mr. Tilden con-
sented to have his name presented as the can
didate for Governor of tie party to which he
had been so conspicuous in administering dis
ciplne, that party could not reject him with
out cOnfessing the insincerty of its boasting
over what was in so marked idegree his
work. Not to have nominated him
would have been justly considered
rebuke and warning 20 any and
all who should hereafter put party success in
jeopardy for the sake of putting a stop to
public robbery. The Administration news
papers which pointed out the folly and danger
of such course deserve praise for rising
above the small strategy. hypocrisy, and
trickery so common in politics. We have al
ready expressed the opinion that the Conven-
ton which nominated Mr.. Tilden was
driven to it by the logic of events
and as consequence of its professions
of reform. That the nomination is offensive
to considerable number in the party, who
were directly or indirectly disturbed by
Tweed's overthrow, is an admitted fact; and
there was, no doubt, considerable hesitation
in the minds of many influential leaders over
the question whether, upon the whole, it would
be safe to offend these people for the sake of
making a consistent record for the party.


off If hp of
paratively little consequence to him personally
now whether he is or is not elected He has
accomplished great work in his party, has
led a great reform, overthrOwn powerful
organization of municipal thieves. and COM
pelled a recognition of his services more
emphatic and pronounced in the mere form of
the nomination than an election could be
under any other circumstances We presume
he has not deceived himself with the idea
that the Administration journals which have
heretofore bestowed upon him such cOpious
praise and have so frankly pointed out to his
party his strength as a candidate, have thereby
estopped themselves from attacking his prin-
ciples and his character. AS citizens, the gen.
tlemen who conduct these newspapers are
doubtless glad to be assured that, whatever
may De tDe result Ol Iuc tlcCtiou, OuCc
of Governor will be filled by an able and
upright gentleman of whom they need not be
ashamed. AS partisans, however, they propose
to find whatever joints there may be in
his harness and to defeat, him if they
can. One organ, we perceive already, after
remarking that il does not know positively
that if elected he would misuse the power in
trusted to him, calls attention to the fact that
he has acted as counsel for some of the great
est railroad corporations in the State, and sug-
eests in wise way that it might be very
dangerous at this time to put such a man in
the Executive chair Another gives him credit
for his services in overthrowing the Tweed
Ring but adds that he did not do 1t at
the right time; that he ought to have
done it sooner. 1t does not accuse him of
dishonesty but feels compelled to call him
"moral coward" And so they go. Of course
there will be great deal of it before the
campaign is over. great deal that is mean
and contemplate and dishonest but just now
we prefer to consider the unusual honesty and
frankness with which the Administration press
treated the question before the nomination,
and to give it credit for sincerity and inde-
pendence. When each party counsels the
other to nominate its best men, and the ad-
vice is followed, we shall see purer politics
and better government.


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