Year: 1876

Tie Democratic Convention has fought but
terly but briefly, and after filling all the ST.
Louis bar-roOms with riot for two or three
days, has placed an admirable candidate upon
a bad platform, and has now paused for
breath. 1t was wise to nominate for the
Presidency It's very strongest man. With
a new and rising statesman like Gov.
HAYES its case would have been hopeless.
1t had inspired the whole country with
a profound distrust, which was not to b.
removed by platform promises, nor talked
down by all the cl0quence OF campaign
orators. But in adopting as its leader in the
coming contest the only Democrat who has
distinguished himself as a practical rei0rner
and the one who, more than all others, Is
hated by the baser elements of the party, the
Democracy at least does something to earn
oblivion for its past and give Us hope for It's
future. The Convention have not failed 10
see, what we pointed out some time ago, that
without New York they have not the rcmotest
chance of winning, and without sound hard
| money man and genuine reformer they have
| not the remctest chance of getting New fork.
| Mr. Tiden's course since he became Governor
! has made him the representative of honesty in
/ administration and decency i'll politics. HIS


nomination has cost q struggle that has nearly


torn the party in two, but the victory Is great


one 1t is a triumph of the principles which


gave rise to the independent movement OF


lS72-a movement which has not ceased to
| exert its good influence upon national affairs
| and to affect in a marked degree the character
of party nominations. Whichever side win IN
/ the approaching contest, we snail have presl-
dent of high personal character, excellent
! record, and honest sympathlcs ana associations.
| If platforms however cannot make the for
tune of party they can mar it, and there Is
no doubt that Gov Tilden will be injured III
his own State by the shutting phrases which
the Convention have adopted respecting the
currency. About the Governors own cOnvic-
ton, there is no uncertainty. But a President
is not what nc chooses TO be he j. what his
associations and circumstances make him. We
purpose TO elect next November not an abso-
Lutte ruler but q chief executive. Our votes
will decide not only who occupies the White
House, but who stand around him, and what
sort of men make the laws. Behind the Pres
ident will always be the party which chose
him. 1t is not enough that the President be
honest if his party is full Of rascality and de-
ceit SO the country says TO the Democracy
when it hears OF the nomination OF 1Ilden,
Very well, gentlemen, that is excellent 80 far; ;
now what do you propose to do If we elect
him?


Look at the platform. There is just one
practical declaration in the whole of it. There
are promises of reform indeed-refOrm i'll the
civil service by the party which has made such
havoc in Washington clerksbips, and reform in
Federal, State, and municipal taxation by the
party which created 1ammany and the new
Court house but Of practical declarations there
is, as we say, just one; that is a demand for
the unconditional repeal Of the Resumption act,
There is no pledge to resume at any time
there is no word of condemnation for the in
flation hcresy the Republicans are denounced
for failing TO make good the promise of the
legal tender notes, and for "the iinan-
" cal imbecility and immortality which has
postponed resumption SO long but
the only step which has been taken
iowa I'd resumption the Democrats insist upon
retracing, and they offer no substitute for it.
The CINCINNATI platform was unsatisfactory to
honest currency men because 1t said too little;
but it said nothing mischevous, and the nomi-
nation of a representative hard-mOney cham
pion like Hayes made amends for its silence
upon points where its language ought TO have
been emphatic 1t is very different however
at ST. Louis There the party commits itself
to course of national dishonor, aud avows
in advance that it has no idea of adopting the
policy of the statesman whom it has chosen
for leader.


Under such circumstances it seems unlikely
that Gov. Tilden will be elected unless Gov.
Hayes throws the battle away. If the Repub-
lican nominee by his letter of acceptance or
in any other manner, should lead the people