Lexington weekly intelligencer. (Lexington, Mo.) 1871-1887, 1876-07-08
THE PRESIDENCY.
sketch of the Democratic Candi.
date.
SAMUEL J, TILDEN.

Governor Tilden was born at New Leb-
anon, in the county Of Columbia. and
state of New York, in the year 1914
the year which ruined the fortunes OF the
great Napoleon. One of his ancestors,
Nathaniel Tilden, was Mayor OF the city
OF Tenterden, Kent, England, in 1928.
He was succeeded in that office by his
cousin John, as he had been p: eceded
by his uncle John in 1885 and 1000. He
removed with his family to Scituate, in
the colony of Massachusetts,, In 1854.
His brother Joseph was one of the mer-
chant adventurers of London who fitted
out the Mayfiower. This Nathaniel I'll
den married Hannah Bourne, one of
whose sisters married brother of Gov
ernor Winslow. and another son of
Governor Bradford.
Governor Tilden's grandfather, John
Tilden, settled in Columbia county. The
governors mother was descended from
William Jones. acknowledgement of
the colony of New Haven, who in all
the histories OF Connecticut is represent
Jones. one of the regicide judges OF
sister of Oliver Cromwell and a cousin
of John Hampden. The governors
father. farmer and merchant of New
Lebanon, was a man of notable judGg-
ment and practical sense and the ac-
cepted oracle Of the county upon all
matters of public concern, while his
opinion was also eagerly sought and
Justly valued by all his neighbors, but
by none more than by the late President
Van Buren, who till his death was one
OF his most cherished, intimate and per-
sonal friends
From his father Governor Tilden in
herited a taste for political inquiries, and
in his companionship cnjoved peculiar
opportunities for acquiring an early IA
miliarity with the bearings of the vari-
Gus questions which agitated our country
in his youth.
Young Tilden entered college in his
eighteenth year. The fall of 1882, when
he was to enter college, was rendered
memorable by the second election OF
General jackson to the presidency and
Martin Van Buren, to the vice-presiden-
cy of the United States, and of William l..
Marcy to the egovernorship of the state OF
New York. In that contest IN effort was
made to effect coalition between the Ma
tional Republicans and the Anti-Masons.
The success of the Democracy depended
upon the defeat Of that coalition. Samuel
heard the subject discussed in the fami.
ly, and was especially impressed by
what fell from the lips of an uncle who
deplored his inability to ''wreak his
thoughts upon expression" Samuel dis
appeared for two or three days. and in
the seclusion of his chamber proceeded
to set down the views he had gathered
upon the subject, and in due time brought
the result to his father, at once the mos
appreciative and the least indulgent
critic of his acquaintance. The father
was so highly pleased with the papel
that he took his son to see Mr.. Var
Buren, then at Lebanon Springs, to reat
it to him. They found so much merit il
the performance that they decided i
should be published with the signature:
of a dozen or more leading democrats
and it shortly after appeared in the AL
bany Argus as an address, occupyin!
about half a page Of that print, ant
from which it was copied into most o
the democratic papers OF the state. Th'
Evening Journal paid it the complimen
of attributing it TO the pen OF MIR. Val
Buren. and the Albany Argus paid it tn
greater compliment of stating "by au
thority'' that Mr.. Van Buren was no
the author.
Mr.. Tilden had not been long at Yal
College before his health gave way, ant
obliged him to leave. After some res
he was enabled to resume his studies
and in 1884 entered the University Q
New York, where he completed his &C
ademic education. He then entered tn
law office of the late John w. Edmunds
Ii in the city OF New York, where he en-
ioyed peculiar facilities for the prosecr
ton of his favorite studies OF law an
politics.
The accession of Mr.. Van Buren,
the presidency in 1887 was followed b
the most trying financial revulsion tn;
had yet occurred in our history. Durin
that summer appeared the PRESIDENT;
message calling for special session {
congress, and recommending the sep;
ration of the government from the banl
and the establishment of the indepel
dent treasury. This measure provoke
voluminous and acrimonious debat
Throughout the country, even before
engaged the attention of congress.
Mr. Tilden, though still a studen
|sprang to the defense Of the president
l. policy, and wrote q series of paper
R marked by all the characteristics of b
maturity, and advocating the propose
separation and the redeemabillty of Il
government currency in specie. The
e articles were signed 'Crino."
II In the fall of 1888, Nathaniel 2. Ia
madge, senator of the United Stat
/ from New York, who had separat
. from the democratic party and join
q the wings in opposition to the tinancl
- - policy ef President Van Buren, was Il
e nounced to speak on the issues of t
: day in Columbia county. A mcetil
had been arranged very quietly, at whi
u it was hoped he might exert AL iniiuen
, upon the doubtful men and change t
u political complexion of the party. L
Tildens heard of the proposed meeti
III about noon of the day upon which
was to be held. They promptly Sc
word to all the democrats of the vici
u ty, and the result WAS one OF the lal
il est meetings ever known in that
o. gion. Talmadge, in the course of
3 speech, took great pains to convince
audience that it was the democrats IL
ry had changed their position, but that
and his friends were unchanged. Att
ns close OF his remarks one of the wi
ng leaders of the movement offered a re-
luton, which passed without opposite
v inviting any democrats in the assent
5. that might be so disposed to reply to
IN IN Senator. The young democrats, W
had mostly gathered in the rear OF
ns hall, regarding this as a challenge
~r them, shouted for Tilden. Samu
70. yielding to the obvious sentiment of
A. meeting, came forward, and took
place just vacated by the Senator.
ICE After discussing the main question
the controversy, he adverted to the P
Tho sonal aspects of the senator's spec
;sh and especially to his statement that
democrats had changed position, wi
rks he himself had remained consistent.
ON way of testing the truth of this decls
or ton, he turned to the wings on
Gev Sv platform and pointing to each OF til
in turn. asked if it was they or if it
'.y the senator who had opposed them IN
ion late contest for the presidency that
tee changed. Finally, fixing his eye u
the chairman, Mr.. Gilbert. vencri
ny farmer and almost IN octOgcnarlnn,
oi said, in Il tone of mingled complin
no and eXpostulation: And you, sir, h
we you changed?" By this direct inql
not the honest old man was thrown of
eve guard, and stoutly crled out: IN
OF Mr.. Tilden skiliully availed himsel
m this declaration OF his old neighbor
am friend, and applied it to the senator
strain of mastorly sarcasm and il,
The effect was electrical; it thrilled
uSt aSSamblv and cnmnlptply leStrnyaI