take ourselves and our accustomed pursuits most seriously.
On our way back from the village we stopped at the birthplace of
Samuel Tilden,--an old-fashioned white frame house, situated in
the very fork of the roads, and surrounded by tall trees. Not far
away is the cemetery, where a stone sarcophagus contains the
remains of a man who was very able if not very great.
Probably not fifty people in the United States, aside from those
living in the neighborhood, know where Tilden was born. We did not
until we came abruptly upon the house and were told; probably not
a dozen could tell exactly where he is buried. Such is fame. And
yet this man, in the belief of most of his countrymen, was chosen
president, though never seated; he was governor of New York and a
vital force in the politics and public life of his times,--now
forgotten.
What a disappointment it must have been to come so near and yet
miss the presidency. Before 1880 came around, his own party had so
far forgotten him that he was scarcely mentioned for
renomination,--though Tilden decrepit was incomparably stronger
than Hancock "the superb." It was hard work enthusing over
"Hancock and Hooray" after "Tilden and Reform;" the latter cry had
substance, the former was just fustian.
The Democratic party is as iconoclastic as the Republican is
reverential. The former loves to pick flaws in its idols and dash
them to pieces; the latter, with stolid conservatism, clings
loyally to its mediocrities. The latter could have elected Bryan,
the former could not; the Democratic stomach is freaky and very
squeamish; it swallows many things but digests few; the
ostrich-like Republican organ has never been known to reject
anything.
Republicans swear stanchly** by every president they have ever
elected. Democrats abandoned Tilden and spurned Cleveland, the
only two men they have come within a thousand miles of electing in
ten campaigns. The lesson of well-nigh half a century makes no
impression, the blind are leading the blind.
It is a far cry from former leaders such as Tilden, Hewitt,
Bayard, and Cleveland to those of to-day; a party which seeks its
candidate among the populists of Nebraska courts defeat. The two
nominations of Bryan mark low level in the political tide; it is
not conceivable that a great political party could sink lower; for
less of a statesman and more of a demagogue does not exist. The
one great opportunity the little man had to show some ability as a
Here's a piece of wisdom on driving or cute car quote to study:
Life is too short for traffic. ~Dan Bellack
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