Year: 1876

party demands the repeal Of that law. and q
considerable proportion of the party are op-
posed to resumption at all. Mr.. Tilden
processes to favor resumption, but not at any
particular time, not in any way which would
displease Mr.. Hendricks, not in way which
would lose him the democratic greenback
votes. Mr.. Evarts covered Tilden's pretence
that the fixing of day is an impeachment
to resumption with pungent and de-
served ridicule. Mr.. Tilden, who has
passed his pretty long life as
bachelor, might as we'll say that ap-
pointing wedding day is an impediment
to marriage, and assign the frequency Of the
days fixed for his own marriage as the reason
why it had never come to pass. Few intelli-
gent people will disagree with Mr.. Evarts
when he says that such an argument is con-
trary to common sense.


Civil service reform was another Of the
topics vigorously discussed by Mr.. Evarts,
and he made it more probable that it would
be accomplished by Governor Hayes than by
Governor Tilden. Not only is Hayes letter
of acceptance more explicit and satisfactory
on this capital point, but he is in q
better condition to fulfil his promises. AS
the federal offices are now filled with re-
publicans, all that his party can ask of Mr..
Hayes is that he will weed out incompetent or
dishonest incumbents and then make con-
tinuance in Office depend on merit. But
Governor Tilden could not satisfy his party
by merely turning out the inefficient or
faithless officers who have abused their trust
and letting the others remain. The demo-
cratic party would feel that it had won
barren victory if this method should prevail,
and Mr.. Tllden would not be permitted to
follow it, even if he were SO inclined.


Another great topic on which Mr.. Evarts
insisted, and in which he had the full con-
currence Of his audience, expressed by en-
thusiastic applause, was the greater safety
to the freedmen and their rights un-
der Governor Hayes. 1t is certain that
the republican party, who conferred upon
them liberty and political equality, will
protect them in the enjoyment of this lib
erty and equality, but it is neither certain
nor likely that the democratic party would
practise the same vigilant guardianship.


Why should the country exchange certain
ties for uncertainties, assurance for doubt?
This question conveys the drift of Mr..
Evarts argument on all its separate heads.
It is certain that the republican party
would continue to maintain the ma
tional credit, an it has steadily done
for SO many years; it is not
certain that it could be safely trusted to the
democratic party. 1t is certain that the re-
publican party is unequivocally pledged to
the resumption of specie payments on
fixed and early day; it is not certain
that the democratic party would
ever fix day or would take
any effectual steps toward resumption at all.
1t is certain that Governor Hayes would
carry out civil service reform in its true
faithless officers; it is not certain that
Governor Tilden would not make o
clean sweep on party grounds. It is
certain that Governor Hayes would give
efficient protection to the freedmen; it is not
certain nor probable that Governor Tilden
would display any zeal in their behalf
It is certain that there would be no shock to
the public credit if Governor Hayes should
be elected. It is not certain that the public
credit would not be shaken or impaired by
the election Of Governor Tilden.


Mr.. Evarts is therefore very strongly of
the opinion that the experiment. Of change
ought not to be made. AS President Lin
coin once said in relation to the removal
of a general in the midst Of
campaign:-"It is never safe to
swap horses while swimming stream"
Mr.. Evarts thinks that the party which
saved the Union, emancipated the slaves,
inaugurated civil and political equality,
established the public credit, paid
off one-fourth of the national debt,
has made large reductions of taxes,
and is pledged to early resumption
Of specie payments, had better be left to
continue the work it has 80 we'll begun and
has conducted with so much success rather
than trust all these great interests to party
which has not regained the confidence of
the country.


Mr.. Green's Temporary Disapp0int-


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