Year: 1876

the republican candidate for the presi-
: dency, and believe him TO be an upright
! fgentlemaR; but it seems 10 M quite i'm
possible that he can change the organiza-
ton and policy of his party. The leaders
who control and shape its policy would
/ pe the same after his election as now,
: and It is idle to hope for any change in


them or under them. 1t is now abun-
dainty evident that had not a democratic
house been elected in 1874, it would have
bssn impossible to unearth the various


instances of maladministration that have


come TO light, and it is equally clear that
tuptl the government passes into the


hands of the democrats we shall never
know the whole truth, whatever it may
he and we need to know the truth as to
1.-THE past, that it may serve to guide us in
ssSss Culture. Believing, as j firmly do,


That every cNpsderation of honesty and


sound stateamahship, every true national


and individual interest, demands the


prompt Inauguration of pOicy which


shall, in the briefest practical rme. re-
duce every governmental expenditure to


the lowest point commensurate wrJl


honor and efficiency; regarding the re-
form of the civil service in its broadest
sense, and with it the enforcement upon
office holders of the conviction that their
only business is to perform their public
duties, and not to manipulate party pol
itics, as an inherent part of this reform
satisfied that it must be accom-
plished by financial measures stead
| lily directed toward the resump-
tion of specie payments within
the shortest possible period, l cannot for
moment doubt that these all.import-
ant ends will be best and in fact only,
attained by the election Of the candi-
dates of the democratic party. But
questions of finance and reform are not
/ the only ones which affect our present
and future. The recent war settled for
ever certain vexed questions; for ex-
ample, the asserted right of. secession
has disappeared in a sea of blOo1; slav-
cry has been abolished, never To reap
pear; to the negro has been given the
rights of citizenship and suffrage We
have nothing more l. do with the re-
suits save to accept them frankly, and
watch they remain intact After many
trials and tribulations, the states not
long since arrayed in arms against the
general government have re-established
their relations with the union, and re-
gained their autonomy. Generous cOur-
tesy toward fallen, but most gallant /
foe, and selfish policy, alike demand I
that we should leave no just thing un-
done that will restore peace and well |
being TO the south, re-establish fraternal |
| feelings in the hearts of all our people, /
and cause of our recent enemies TO be /.
proud of and love the government of the
union and its flag. Tho welfare Of the
south, and our country can never attain
its full force and vigor until peace, pros
perity and kind feeling reign through /.
out this broad domain. believe


that this end can be best


reached by respecting the auto. 4
nomy of the individual states, so long as


they respect the obligations of the fed /
eral compact. Allowed to govern them 4
selves, public opinion, elfrespect and a


regard for their own interests will GER


tainly suffice TO induce the southern


states to place good men in Office and to
enforce the laws. While of the opinion


that federal interference should never be


resorted to, except in the cases provided
| for in the constitution, i also think that,
| if any outrases are committed upon the


rights, persons or property of any citi-


zen, whatever his race, whether white or
/ black, and the state authorities neglect
or hesitate to do their duty, the general
government should urge and aid them in


every legal way to enforce order and
Justice, and should use all its Legitimate
| influence in that direction. But | have
sufficient faith in the honor and ability
| of our southern brethren TO believe that,


when left to themselves, they will well


know how to enforce just laws, and Sc
cure the rights of the humblest of their
| fellow-citizcns. In Mr.. Tilden / am


confident that we have candidate pos
sessing all the requisites that the exi-


cencies of the times demand. In long
career he has given the surest proofs of
ability and integrity. 1t is very easy


thing to preach reform to an opponent,
but very difficult affair TO carry it out
in ones own party. This Mr.. TiIden
has had the rare courage and ability to |
do. Against great obstacles he com /
menced and carried through the hercu-
lean task of fighting corruption and pur-
suing the plunderers in his own party |
and it is almost superfiuous to say
that the courage, energy, untiriDg per
severance and acumen he displayed in
those memorable contests, prove that he
possesses, in most eminent degree, the
qualities so much needed in our chief
magistrates in the present crisis Of our
affairs. In regard to all questions OF
finance and reform, we have the sure
criterion of his past to enable us to form
positive convictions as to his future. In
his hands may be safely left the task of
awarding liberal justice on the south,
while jealously awarding the rights OF
the north, and the issues decided by the
great struggle ended, trust and believe,
forever. When elected believe tbatshe
will enter upon the duties of his high
office with the single purpose of serving
the country faithfully, and with no low
er ambition than that of devoting every
faculty to the glorious task of rendering
the nation prosperous at home, honored
and respected abroad. l would like to
appeal to those who in civil life have
honored me with their friendship and
support, andIespecially and most earnestly
to those men to whom have never ap-
pcaled in vain-my comra1eo Of the
war-and to ask them TO stand on q more
! with me i'll our country's cause, In civil
contest now, as formerly in deadlier
struggle, and support to the uttermost
, the election of Mr.. TiIden to the presi-
} dency. l believe that the issues now at
, stake are similar to those for which we