Year: 1876

| MANSFIELD, ", UctoDer l.-1he tol'
lowing letter from Charles Francis Ad.
ans, in response to an invitation to speak
in this city, has been received by the
Democratic Committee:


QUINCY, Sept. 81, 1876.


DEAR SIR IL have TO acknowledge the
the reception OF your very fattering let.
ter inviting me TO address my fellow citi.
zens Of the State Of Obi on the present
state Of the political affairs Of the country.
1t is now n long while since l have nj.
tempted such a thing, and and in the
condition OF my physical powers, eSpec.
tally Of my voice, must plead 10 be ex:
Cused from undertaking the service.


The question before us seems TO resolve
itself into this: Whether genuine re.
form Of the evils that have been brought
on the country under the Republican
Administration Of last eight years,
is to be expected by continuing the same
influence IN power, or whether
it would be wiser to make a complete
change, and entrust the prosecution Of re-
form 10 n new and fresh set OF men. The
disclosures OF the last few years distinctly
prove that the whole existing organiza.
tion has been honeycombed with corrup-
tion, which not even the most earnest ef-
forts OF tbe honest men OF the Republican
party have been eftcctual 10 check. 1t is
plain that the confidence OF the majority
is not withdrawn from those men who
have been the most deeply compromised
by their own conduct before the world,
and that it has not been placed in those
who appear to have been the most SIREN
Gus and efficient against the policy Of re-
form. have not word to say in derog-
alton OF Mr.. Hayes, but it seems TO me
at least very singular that in n fearful
crisis like this, person should have
been selected who has thus far had
no record on this subject, and that not
one individual who had really committed
himself by his previous course to the
policy Of reform should have been seri-
ously supported. The meagre vote given
to Mr.. Bristow in the convention ap-
pears 10 have embraced all the true en-.
thusiasm sincerely working for that one
great object.


On the other hand, the action OF the
convention at 81. Louis shows n wholly
different spirit. Not satisfied with max.
ing much the stronger declaration Of
principles on which they propose 10 pro-
coed, they went on directly 10 nominate,
by large majority, man who by his
energetic and vigorous prosecution Of
difficult and dangerous task Of reform in
his own State had given the strongest
pledge TO the country not simply OF
his will but Of his power to
meet emergencies Of all sorts. No
wonder that all the ferocity Of the
wolves and tigers who feed upon the offal
OF the public crib should he vented on
him. Their passion only goes TO prove
the Justice OF their fears, the very fact OF
their virulence should be in the mind OF
calm observers the most convincing
proof OF the wisdom Of the choice. Mr..
Tilden Is not called upon to promise
what he will do in certain emergencies,
what he has done is better pledge than
all the epithets in the dictionary. An
other strong reason in my mind for pre-
ferring Mr.. Tilden 10 this emergency is
that new and clear policy towards the
Southern. States may be iuaugurated free
from all the obstacles hitherto raised by
class OF the public men of the North
who live by migrating themselves with
every element remaining among us
Of the evil passions raised dur
ing the war. So long as this
course is tolerated their will be
no harmony between the sections. This
is favorable movement for stamping
this spirit Of malignity under our feet
by selecting man whose well-known
frmness and impartiality may reinstate
confidence and ultimately restore unity
to the whole people. We need this much
in the present low condition Of our
pecuniary affairs. We need it more 10
fortify the view Of our position by for
eign nations. In short the time has come
for the Inauguration OF wholly new and
vigorous policy by thoroughly compe.
tent and experienced man. That man ]
hope and believe will be found in Samuel
]. Tilden. ! am very truly yours,


fSigned1 CHAREs FANoEs ADAMS.