Year: 1876




rongh notes Of his discourse so carefully
two hundred merchants and capitalists who
wish themselves and the general public
enlightened by him seem to have been a
little afraid OF the spirit they were evoking
and Mr.. Evarts, who has quick and deli
cate sense Of humor, must have smiled rs
he read the address of his petitioners, to
notice tho prudence with which they set
boundaries to his cloquence, and not only
requested his views but limited 10 him what
those views ought to be like. "Canst thou
draw ont leviathan with an hook ?" we fancy
Mr.. Evarts muttcring to himself as he read.


Nor can il be denied that this caution Of
those who have asked Mr.. Evarts to address
them is reasonable. He occupies singular
position in our politics. Less politician
than statesman, he has filled important
public trusts, and his name has been men
toned for still higher. even for the highest,
and always by the more intelligent and vir-
tuous of the community. It is probable
that the best part of the republican party
to-day wishes that he had pcon made its
Presidential candidate at Cincinnati It is
certain that large part of his party in this
State preferred him above all others as Its
candidate for Governor 1t is not probable
that Governor Hayes, if he should be elected
to the Presidency, would make up his
Cabinet without at least offering Mr.. Evarts
one Of the most prominent positions in it.
He is Justly ranked. not only as ono Of the
foremost men of his party, but as one Of the
greater statesmen Of the country, . man
whose sound judgment, eminent abilities
and conscientious independence have won
him the confidence and respect of leading
men of all parties Though accustomed to
act with the republican party he has never
surrendered his own judgment to party
clamor or party expediency. He did not
hesitate to accept tho place of Attorney
General at the hands Of President johnson,
and no was the leader of the vigorous
protest against federal military interference
in Louisiana in January Of last year What
he shall say, therefore, tonight will inevita-
bly, and properly have great weight with the
country, because his words will be an ex-
preston of his own views and opinions-the
belief of o man of large experience in public
affairs. Of wide and accurate knowledge
Of men and interests here and abroad, and
Of q sound and bipartisan Judgment
Hitherto, in this exciting campaign, he has
been conspicuously silent. We judge from
the fact that the address Of the merchants
which calls him out now is without definite
date. that he has only with difficulty and
after some delay persuaded himself to
accede to their demand. And as
he cannot do less than give, ns nhis
own opinions, the fruits of his own re-
Elections upon the condition of the country,
and as we, in common with the public, have
great confidence in his independence and
clear judgment, we IRE glad That the mer-
chants have not merely asked for general
expression Of his views, but specified the
subjects which they wished him to discuss


They tell him that in their opinion the
public credit and the repose of the country.
would both be imperilled by the election of
Mr. Tilden. and ask him to tell them if he
does not agree with them. For our own
part we have already expressed our belief
that the safety of the public credit is not
question proper to lug into party contest
We have reproached those, of both parties,
who have with what seems to us an indecent
rs we'll as unscrupulous partisan spirit
forced this question into tho canvass; but as
it is there we are glad that the question is
now put to o man whom his fellow citizens
do not regard as partisan, but from whom
they expect the words Of truth and sober
ness. We, too, are curious to know If Mr..
Evarts believes that the election Of Mr.. Til
den-an event not at all impossible, and to be
decided in less than o week-will probably
cndanger our national credit, impose new
burdens upon tho people by additions to
the national debt, or seriously imperil the
peace and repose Of the country. There
have been numerous swift witnesses ready
to give their testimony on this vital ques-
ton; but they have been partisans, and it
may be said, we think with truth, that their
evidence has not been held competent by
that large court Of tho people who heard it.
But here comes one from whom we may ex-
pect competent testimony, and we wait with
lively curiosity for his appearance on tho
stand.


OF course Mr.. Evarts will not confine
himself to the questions put to him. He is
too ready speaker and too broad man to
speak within the narrow bounds set for him.
No doubt. too, he will make republican
speech; he will show the weak points of the
democratic position; and yet it is not to be
expected of him that he will make merely
partisan speech We may suppose that he
will criticise Governor Tilden's recent let
ter as injudicious and needless, or as pac-
ing him in the position of one who in ex-
cusing accuses his party; he may point out
and lash with brilliant wit the errors and
Llr1radcrs Of tho dnInncrats thcir raar,air,a