The New York herald., 1876-09-05
Govcrnor Tilden's Peculiarities.


conventions had met and done their work,
that the platforms were not merely unsatis-
factory, but of minor importance, and that,
under the circumstances of the country and
the two parties, the characters Of the candi-
dates would probably decide the vote Of
thoughtful citizens.
Since then one at least of these candidates
has been so frequently and conspicuously
before the public that We have had unusual
opportunities for making a study of those
mental traits and peculiarities which would
rule his conduct if he were elected President.
It is so important to know beforehand what
manner Of man we are asked to choose to
this high and responsible Office that the
country may be grateful TO Governor Tilden
for letting it see him at work. The spec
tacle is as interesting and instructive as
the sight of the great Corliss engine
in the machinery building on the Cen
tennial grounds. 1t is the spectacle of
mind Of unusual acuteness, working under
great tension, and with a fixed determine
ton to achieve it's great object-the Presi-
dency. We should be glad to havo similar
opportunities for studying Governor Hayes
also; but he, unlike Mr.. Tiden, has quietly
confined himself to the performance Of his
somewhat monotonous duties as Governor of
Ohio and, 80 far as the public knows, main
tains to the present time the attitude of n
spectator of the great contest which may
make him Presidents an interested and
watchful spectator, no doubt, but not an
L = 80 .:Al
delay. and having flung this out he rests.
Possibly events in the next few weeks may
bring him out into action Of some sort, in
which case we shall watch with great interest
the traits he may exhibit. For the present
we must be content with an analysis Of Gov
ernor Tilden.
Incessant activity and the most constant
and careful attention to minor and petty de-
tails in organizing his canvass are two Of his
most prominent traits. He strikes us rs
not a restful man, but rather as one who
wants to do everything himself It has
sometimes been said that great admins
traitor should be n somewhat idle man one
given to contemplation and with the
capacity to make others attend to details.
1t is certain that many great administrators
have been men unable to master trifling de-
tails; and we remember that q shrewd army
officer in 1862 prophesied the failure of
General Mcclellan as military commander
because he saw the General one day per-
sonally experimenting the embarkation of
troops at Alexandria, detail which he
ought to have left to his subordinates,
said this critic. because generals
function is not to do, but to select agents
capable Of doing. Governor Tilden is carry
ing into this canvass apparently that minute
ness of organization which marked his
management Of the State canvass in 1874,
when every petty politician in the State re-
ceived letter from Mr.. Tilden soliciting his
efforts and the attempt was made to ascer-
tain the vote of every precinct, and to drum
up every individual voter. But what can be
| done in one State cannot be accomplished
all over the whole Of this vast country. Nor
can an election be carried by the mere
manufacture Of public opinion.
We have lying before US, for instance,
broad sheet, one Of quito a number, hun
dreds of copies of which are sen. out weekly,
from the mandatory in .his city, to demo-
cratic country papers North, South, East
and West. 1t contains "New York letter."
o column Of editorial matter" and another
column of "extracts," and at the bottom is
this notice.
To THE EprroR:-None OF the matter on this sheet
will be sent to other paper In your county to
any paper in any adjacent county whose circulation
will DC likely to Interfere with yours
hpSp hpefs Wi hp TnTn NAC W and 4
| not received on the proper day you should notify Us
| how many days earlier or later you wish to receive
| them.
| THIS sheet goes to weekly papers only.
II any portion OF the matter sent you is used you will
following addrcss:-w. $. Andrews, box 3,es7 Now
! York city.
| ID. w., tn. . August s1-]
Governor Tilden has the credit among his
friends of this contrivance for supplying
opinions to the rural press He has, per-
haps, mild contempt for the intelligence
of the editors to whom he causes these
sheets to be sent; but mainly this enter
prise is significant of his incessant mental
activity, and of disposition toward what
| in smaller men is sometimes called s'tinker-
ing"
1t is another trait of the Governor that he
gives uncommon zeal and effort to the ad-
vancement Of the fortunes of his favorites.
AS it is possible that he may be chosen Prcsi-
dent we should be glad to learn that he had
intimate and friendly relations with
| the other leaders of the democratic
party; that such men as Bayard,
Thurman, Seymour, Randolph, Lamar,
Gordon, Morrison Beck and others Of that
| kind were his chosen associates, his counsel
lors and friends. Thus we should have the
of moderate ability may make successful
administration if only he gathers into his
Cabinet the foremost minds Of his party, no