Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1876-11-17
The Power Behind the Dem oc ratio
Throne.

Throne.
TILDEN's ABILITY AS AN oRGANIzER-TuE
REAL MANAGER OF HIS CAMPAIGN STAT
ED TO DE "DUKE" OWN.
In conversation with a number Of lead
ing local Democrats yesterday afternoon, a
remark was made by a Tribune reporter
to the effect that Mr.. Tilden's personal his
tory OF the initiation and organization of
his movement for the Presidency would
make "hand book for politicians" of ex-
cseding great value. Stress was laid by
one OF the gentlemen present upon the fact
that Mr.. Tilden had in very many instances
indicated with remarkable accuracy the
figures upon the turning points of the cam
paign. twas known, for instance, that he
had claimed, before ballot was cast for
him in the St. Louis convention, that he
would have, as the candidate Of the party
for President, vote Of 204 of the conven-
ton. The number was over this by few
figures. In his calculation of the majori-
ties in this city be has frequently asserted
within two months past that his majority
in New York county would be 10000. 1t
was $3.50. He had also claimed Kings
county by majority of 10000; it fell short
OF this number only 2,002. In his calcula-
ton OF the electoral vote which he would
receive, 1t is known that he insisted from
tho first that lie was certain OF 1Si votes in
the Electoral College. Mr.. Hewitt, the
chairman of the general committee, public
ly claimed 200 votes as certain for Tilden,
but the Governor himself has never claim
ed more than lS4 in conversation with his
personal friends and confidants. 1t was al
so added, as a confirmation of these state
ments regarding the accuracy with which
Gov. Ti!den made his political calculation,
that three days afler his nomination for
Governor in 1874 he had calculated his ma
jority in the State at 4O, OOO-almost the pre-
else number of votes which he subsequent
ly received.
These statements called forth from one of
the gentlemen present, who has long been
intimately connected with The Tilden move
ment, and who is in a position TO know
positively what he asserted, that 1t would
soon be made TO appear that The real organ
izer OF Mr.. Tilden's campaign for the Pres
idency was not Mr.. Tilden himself but a
man who has only once appeared ION the
two years during which Mr.. Tilden has
been suffering from the presidential fe-
ver." This, he said, was no less person
than ex-senator William NJ. Gwin OF Cali
fornia, familiarity known as Duke Gwin,"
from his connection with the movement Of
Macmillan in Mexico. "Duke Gwin,"
while Senator in Congress from California,
before the rebellion, was well known as a
rampant secessionist, and was more than
once under arrest for treason. He Joined
the secession movement, and was at times
prominent in the diplomatic movements OF
the Confederates. Amer the conclusion Of
the war lie fled to Mexico for safety. He
has never lost any OF his bitterness OF feel
ing, and is to-day as great rebel as ever.
1t was asserted that the first suggestion of
running for the Presidency was made TO
Mr.. Tilden by Gwin. After Mr.. Tilden
had been elected Governor, the two men
began TO work TO that end, even before Mr..
Tilden was fairly in the executive chair.
Mr.. Gwin under the constant advice and
consultation with Mr. Tilden, had been in
trusted with all the important preliminary
operations OF the campaign. 1t was Gwin
WHO, III MI. lulCICSbS NlSlaCd
the several Southern States, and had organ
lied the united movement in the st. Louis
convention which resulted in Mr.. Tilden's
nomination without serious opposition cx-
cept from blatant Tammany politicians.
Gwin had also been intrusted with the en-
ployment OF confederate agents, who COM
municated with the various State organiza-
tions. All the details of canyassing the set
Elements of voters In the various States,
and particularly in this State and city, were
reported through Mr.. Gwin TO Mr.. Tilden.
All tho money for the movement passed
through OWNS hands. or course Mr.. Til
den never consented TO pay any money
during the movement. "If Gwin," 1t was
added by the narrator, "were to tell all he
knew about the organization of the move
ment OF united South, to elect an old Blu
chanan secessionist 10 the Presidency, 1t
would certainly slartle the people if ii did
not instruct the politicians. Y. Tri6-
Hne, 10Th inst.