Year: 1876

the other hand, the letter of Tilden reads
like q chapter from some German work on
metaphysics, and will have about as much
effect on the canvass. It is able, learned,
wise, but, so far as the masses are concerned,
above the clouds.


We can think of nothing more absurd
than plain farmer, anxious to vote
intelligently, and trying to fathom the
meaning of Governor Tilden's elaborate and
mysterious essay and compilation. We un-
derstand that the rank and file of party
will be apt to vote one way or the other
without regard to letters and platforms.
But there is an element of thinking people
to whom canvass is an education, and who
study their vote as they would q problem in
agriculture or theology. This element has
been thrown away to large degree by the
tendency Of Governor Tilden's mind to
preach and amplify and shroud clear
meaning with clouds of mysterious phrases.
This mistake has not been made by Hayes,
and most certainly not by Hendricks.


Worse than all, Tilden's letter, when we
come to analyze it, contains surrender.





the latter makes the hetter figure. He went
into the canvass flying his greenback flag,
and he still flies it. Tilden went in carry
ing his gold-embrodered specie flag. but he
furls it. No amount of explanation can
do away with the fact that Tilden
surrenders his convictions in behalf
of hard money to conciliate the in
hationists in the West. He demands the
repeal of the Resumption act for no other
reason, because it is the only possible
reason. The question at once arises, If we
have q candidate who surrenders and vacil-
lates, what shall we have if he is President?
1t is conceded that Mr.. Tilden is n much
ADLER man than Hayes, and Mr.. Hewitt says
he is one of the abest men now living. We
do not doubt it. Mr.. Buchanan was much
ADLER than Fremont or Fillmore, who
ran against him, was one Of the most
gifted men who ever entered the Pres
idency, as accomplished as Mr.. Tilden,
and with more political experience. Yet
when the storm came he was the bent and
swaying reed, going with every current
There is no episode in our history so sad
and pitiful as this amiable, learned and
patriotic old man in presence of the South
ern secession movement One day he would
reinforce SUMTER" the next he would
'Iet the wayward sisters so in peace" One
day, under the menaces of Davis and Sill
DELL he would support the South; the next
day the firmness of Stanton and Cass
would turn him toward the North.
The result was that an administra-
ton which opened with the glory and
the freshness of spring, which was under
the direction of the wisest and the ablest
of our statesmen, went down in ignominy
and contempt. Does Mr.. Tilden, if he is
elected, mean to follow the example of
Buchanan? This is the question that will
be asked again and again by men who re-
member how Buchanan trimmed on seces-
sion and who see how Tilden trims on the
national credit. Whether Tilden can win in
spite Of his party is a sore problem. That
party beat Douglas and Seymour and
Mcclellan, and there are fools enough within
its ranks to beat Tilden. Our Governor
made mistake at the outset, when he did
not follow the HERALD's advice and take
command of his canvass He has made too
many concessions. AS the campaign now
stands Hayes, with all the burdens of cor
rupt party and dishonest administration,
develops his battle without a blunder and
fights to win. Tilden, with the heart of the
country yearning for reform, with all the ad-
vantages in his favor makes blunder after
blunder in his battle and fights to lose.
Still it is the last hour in the battle that is
the deciding hour, aud it is long time be-
fore November.