Year: 1876

by that very self-respect Every honest snd EN-
ardent friend of tho reformed system himself
Then those party influences which oppose truc
reform will be stripped OF their most dangerous
sting Congressman and party leaders. no longer
able to the patronage 10 build up their power VIII
have 10 fall back upon their character their principles
and their ability To sustain themselves pnblic me-
which, on the whole, viii vastly improve the breed
aud II will turn out also that political parties live
without the spo'ls, and be all the better for H.
That such policy will drspeasc many repub-
lican politicians havc no doubt; much better
will IL please tho honest republican masses. That
II VIII be bitterly opposed IN tho Congress TO be
elec'ed this year Is not improbable: but that will
defeat the reform. Let first Congress under
the administration ever nsldously cndcavor to
hamper H. let II ever so stuDbony refuse all friendly
lcsisauon vet there is not the end l nave slready
shown how much the President alone accomplish
And II then Congress rcinsos to aid an perpeuatc tho
reform by such legislative measures may be
tro,ism OF the people In an election held without the
civil service as party agency, such appeal VIII
scarcely remain without Response.


HAYES AND riLDEN


therefore. declare his 10 bo honest conviction,
rot only that Governor Hayes, OF patriotism
and integrity. w II elected 10 the Presidency, be true
his word in using all the constitutional powers OF
Office TO carry out TO the letter the programme put
forth by himself, but that powerful the opposition
he vii; have to encounter may be, tho chances Will bc
strongly In favor of the lasting establishment
81 the reform system, sustained as 1t will he by the
best elements OF the republican party and patriotic
puolic opinion. Indeed, when examining The rcative
positions taken by the two candidates for the Prcsi-
dcpcy and the prospects they open TO us the opponents
Of Governor Hayes soom to be utterly at loss TO DIS
cover flaw IN the systematic reform ne proposes
to establish. They find themselves forced back
upon the small cypedicnt of dscrcditing his in,cn
tions ..Govcrnor Ha, cs ~ thcv say srannot be in
earnest with this plan. Tor IL he were believed TO be
IN earnest there would be multitude OF rcpuo.
lican politicians who would rather their
candidate defeated ih,n snch a reform succeed ]"
There may DO such republican politicians. But
Governor Hayes own word, publicly spoken, war
rants mo IN telling You That he Is IN earnest, un
compromisngly in earnest II thcrc we're republicans
who would try 10 defeat him Tor that reason am con
ldcnt it would change his position. Governor


Hayes viii be proud to have stood ior so good
cnusp and would rather bc defeated as ITS faithful
champion Than succeed by betrayng H. But
| ask you. my independent friends, II
that cause Is good that the sPos politician would
lear It's success moro even than the failure OF his
party, Is not there for you. as sincere friends OF
reform. every reason to desire and work for It's
triumph Considering with candor every cir
every probability, and feeling tho necessity OF
thorough and lasting reform, IS II possible that
you Should hesitate in your choccy Can you fail to
that here is the battlefield worthy Of your efforts,
here the line Of advance toward the objects which, as
true rcformcrs, you must hold highesty changc
rs your cry Yes, change! is mine But do
you not, with me, insist upon change that
opcns tho prospect Of lasting improve.
the yoa al in
will want more; you will want change in tho very
being in the nature OF parties Tha. the great thing
Tildcn. Will you find II. Can you doubt, then,
that change 10 Hnycs viii be greater





TO Tildcn9 What is change to Tildcn?
change from republican to democratic poils politics
What Is n change 10 Hayes A change frcm the spos
system to true reform OF the civil service and the
overthrow OF machine politics That Is the prediction
| make and with confidence look into the future TO
verified. Can the duty OF sincere frenhs OF re-
form be doubtful? l at least see miro as clearly as
ever, and to the last will perform q.


REFORM SPIRIT


speak with feeling, for have been long and with
sincerity IN this struggle II has been said Of
that have done something to wake up tho popular
conscience against tho prevailing Decentralization.
If that be So nm proud Of IT, II
was the object OF nv endeavrrs. But that
duty is not all fulfilled. Now Is the to lit up
judgment tho level Of tho awakened conscience Let
capable OF greater achievement do not run out IN Il
change Of parties aud PERSONS to stand still be-
fore the citadel of tho evils which have so
long afflicted aud degraded Who knows when
1t will rise again from the gloom OF new dlscour-
agcmcnt If u eXhausts itsclf In misd'rccied
and irutless elorisg We have, indeed, great
opportunity before u.s. opportunity to shake
OF the disgrnceiul abuses which the dcmorazing
habits OF forty years have loaded upon our poi-
cal life ; an opportunity to lead our government
back to the noble principles and practice OF the
great wise founders OF the Republic, whose virtues
eloquent IN prasing, and whose example we
have slow to follow Thus is the year OF great
memories. In magnificent palaces wc have laid before
inventive genius and tho astounding results OF skin
industry. Aud certainly have gained the admi-
ration all behOldcrs But great and lasting the ndmi
ration thus gained may be- far greater st IN the esteem
OF mankind, and far more lasting in the gratitude OF
our posterity Will be honest and decisive blow
OF government which, alter ALL Is tho only security
aud The highest glory OF FREQ people. The year OF
tho great ar anniversary can he truly honored
Than Ivy the triumph of so noble an effort.