(THE COURSE OF THE ADMINISTRATION PRESS REVIEWED)
(_From the New York "Tribune"_)
It is very much to the credit of the administration journals of
the State that, so far as they discussed beforehand the claims and
qualifications of the several candidates for the Democratic nomination
for Governor, they frankly recognized the fact that the logic of the
Democratic professions of reform pointed unmistakably to the gentleman
who was nominated at Syracuse on Thursday. Indeed, they almost may be
said to have advised and urged his nomination. In doing this we give
them credit for rising above the narrowness of partisanship, and for
taking into view the great public benefit to be derived from having
for the candidates of both parties men of distinguished ability and
unimpeachable integrity, instead of following the instincts of a petty
and unpatriotic selfishness by endeavoring to induce their opponents
to weaken and stultify themselves. Mr. Tilden, at no small risk of
personal popularity and political influence, and with no conceivable
motive but a desire for the public good, had fairly revolutionized
his own party. In arresting the corrupt and profligate career of the
Ring that ruled it, he has contributed to its temporary defeat. But
the movement he led was a success, and the party was shrewd enough
to discern in the signs of the times the wisdom of assuming the
responsibility and claiming the credit for the reform. They have done
this persistently.
It was plain enough to the most casual observer that from the moment
Mr. Tilden consented to have his name presented as the candidate
for Governor of the party to which he had been so conspicuous in
administering discipline, that party could not reject him without
confessing the insincerity of its boasting over what was in so marked
degree his work. Not to have nominated him would have been justly
considered a rebuke and a warning to any and all who should hereafter
put party success in jeopardy for the sake of putting a stop to public
robbery. The administration newspapers which pointed out the folly
and danger of such a course deserve praise for rising above the small
strategy, hypocrisy, and trickery so common in politics. We have
already expressed the opinion that the convention which nominated Mr.
Tilden was driven to it by the logic of events and as a consequence
of its professions of reform. That the nomination is offensive to a
considerable number of the party, who were directly or indirectly
disturbed by Tweed's overthrow, is an admitted fact; and there was, no
doubt, considerable hesitation in the minds of many influential leaders
over the question whether, upon the whole, it would be safe to offend
these people for the sake of making a consistent record for the party.
As for Mr. Tilden himself, it can be of comparatively little
consequence to him personally now whether he is or is not elected. He
has accomplished a great work in his party, has led a great reform,
overthrown a powerful organization of municipal thieves, and compelled
a recognition of his services more emphatic and pronounced in the
mere form of the nomination than an election could be under any other
circumstances. We presume he has not deceived himself with the idea
that the administration journals which have heretofore bestowed upon
him such copious praise, and have so frankly pointed out to his party
his strength as a candidate, have thereby estopped themselves from
attacking his principles and his character. As citizens, the gentlemen
who conduct these newspapers are doubtless glad to be assured that,
whatever may be the result of the election, the office of Governor will
be filled by an able and upright gentleman of whom they need not be
ashamed. As partisans, however, they propose to find whatever joints
there may be in his harness and to defeat him if they can. One organ,
we perceive already, after remarking that it does not know positively
that if elected he would misuse the power intrusted to him, calls
attention to the fact that he has acted as counsel for some of the
greatest railroad corporations in the State, and suggests in a wise
way that it might be very dangerous at this time to put such a man
in the executive chair. Another gives him credit for his services in
overthrowing the Tweed Ring, but adds that he did not do it at the
right time; that he ought to have done it sooner. It does not accuse
him of dishonesty, but feels compelled to call him a "moral coward."
And so they go. Of course there will be a great deal of it before
the campaign is over, a great deal that is mean and contemptible and
dishonest, but just now we prefer to consider the unusual honesty
and frankness with which the administration press treated the
question before the nomination, and to give credit for sincerity and
independence. When each party counsels the other to nominate its best
men, and the advice is followed, we shall see purer politics and better
government.