The New York herald., 1879-02-09
Mr.. Tiiden,s Testimony.

| MIR. Tflden's Testimony
Mr.. Tilden's appearance before the Con-
gressional Committee at the Fifth Avenue
Hotel yesterday naturally excited more
than ordinary interest in the proceedings.
No person doubted what his testimony
would in substance be. The ingenious
and searching cross-examination to which
! Colonel Pelton and Mr. Marble were sub
jected had failed to elicit one particle OF
evidence showing that Mr.. Tilden had any
knowledge of the cipher kilograms or OF the
negotiations to which they referred until the
information was conveyed to him that an
offer had been made to give the vote OF
South Carolina to the democratic candidate
for sum of money, when he instantly de-
nounced the proceedings and rebuked
those participating in them. Everybody
was satisfied that Mr. Tilden would con-
firm the witnesses who had preceded him
in these statements nevertheless. there
was much curiosity to see how well he
would stand the ordeal OF an examination
in which no leniency was likely to be ex-
tended to him, while many Of his friends
rejoiced at the opportunity afforded him Of
refuting the SANDERS that have been SO
literally INDUCED in by his enemies. 1t is
just to say that Mr.. Tilden's evidence
clear, decisive and unequivocal- leaves him
in better position than he was in before it
was given. His denial of any knowledge
whatsoever of the cipher dispatches or of
any. offers, proposals or negotiations to use
any money to purchase any returning
boards or votes until the occurrence Of tho
Baltimore aff.ir, which he rebuked and
stamped out, is as strong as language can
make it. His testimony is in entire har-
mony with his card published in the
HERALD of October 1S last. In that paper
he denied that he had any knowledge
of the Florida offers until casually
informed of them as of past
event long after the 9th of December
This denial is reiterated in his evidence
yesterday and is confirmed by Mr.. Marble.
the certificates of any State to the demo-
cratic electors for promises of Office, money
or property was ever entertained, consid-
cred or tolerated" by him, and this also is
confirmed by his own testimony and that
of Mayor Cooper and Colonel Pelton, which
shows that the first and only intimation con-
veyed to him of such an offer met with his
rebuke and condemnation.
In reading Mr.. Tilden's testimony it is
proper to remember that he appears as
witness in case in which he no doubt fully
and conscientiously believes that he has
suffered grievous and unparalleled wrong.
The very evidence now produced proves
the infamy of the men who controlled the
canvass of the States which he feels assured
| were carried by him, and seems to confirm the
belief SO emphatically announced by the
witness that the votes and certificates Of
| Florida and Louisiana were bought by the
republicans Under these circumstances it
| is not to be wondered at that the witness
| INDUCED in denunciation Of acts which he
believes 'gave the Presidency to man who
was not elected, and, while many will think
| that Mr.. Tilden would have done better to
| have altogether avoided such charges, they
ought in fairness to be looked upon with
| toleration. At the same time Mr. Tilden
should not forget the position in which he
is himself placed. While there is no
| particle of evidence to connect him with
knowledge of or connivance in the acts of
his nephew and Others appearances have
been against him, and many persons may
still sneer at the idea of his ignorance Of the
doings Of his closest friends. 1t would be
most unjust, however now that this inves-
| tigation is over, to continue to sssail Mr.
Tilden as an accomplice in the cipher tele-
graphic negotiations, no matter how suspi-
cious some Of the surroundings may be- AS
there is no actual proof that the republi-
cans did buy the returning boards Of South
| Carolina and Florida it is not quite just
that Mr.. Tilden should charge them with
the offence because suspicious circum-
stances induce him to believe in their
guilt. Right-minded people will with graft
fication and relief accept in good faith Mr..
| Tildens solemn asseveration that there was
never one single moment when he enter
tanned the idea of obtaining the electoral
vote by any venal means; but that he de-
termined thst if there was to be an auction
of the Chief Magistracy of his country he
would not be among the bidders. Let Mr..
Tilden dispense to others the justice he ex-
poets to receive.
Pulpit Topics To-Day.