Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1880-06-25
Mr.. Tilden's Letter Of Withdrawal.
The following is Mr.. T'ilden's letter of


NEW YORK, June IS, 1880.
To the delegates from the State of New York
and 10 the Democratic National Convention:
Your first assembling Is The occasion on which
it Is proper for To state 10 you my relation
to the nomination for the Presidency, which
You and your associates are commissioned TO make
in behalf OF the DemocraiI' party of the United
States. Having passed INV carly years IN an at
mosphere hed with traditions of the war which
secured our rational independence. and of the
struggles which made our continental system Il
government for the people and by the people,
learned 10 IloliZe the institutions OF NV country
aud was educated to believe II the duty Of citizen
of the republic 10 take his fair allotment of the care
and trouble IN public affairs illel that duty to the
best of nv ability for forty years private
citizen. Although during all my life giving AT
least much thought ad effort Ia public affairs as
all other objects. | never accepted Official scrv-
except Tor brief period. Tor a specific purpose
and only when the occasion seemed Ia require of
me that sacrifice al private preferences 10 public
interests. Ny HE has been substantially that uf Il
citizen. II was. presume The success nf efforts.
IN which Is a private ciltZrn hat shared, 10 over
throw th, corrupt combination then holding lnml-
nation IN our metropolis. ana Ia purify "A JuirI-
airy, which had brroinr H. tool. that induced
the Democracy "i the Stale IN lN.i 10 nominate me-
for Governor. THIS WAS done IN spite "f IN" protests
Of the minority that the part had borne III those
reforms had created aniaGpnl>niS fatal Ia me a
candidate fr constrained Ia accept the nonlna-
flon the musi certain means al putting he rui'rr
material mower ON The SIDE ui reform and of re-
moving The IMPRESSION. wherever II prev .illrd. that
the fihiu dl>rllirs, oi ones duty a. IA riilzrn Is
fatal Ia his usefulness public servant. The
breaking uf the canal ring. The better ilIillg'
mrnt ui our public works. a Large reduction III
taxes lnd other reforms accomplished during nv
administration doubtless or"I-lunel NV nuininl-
iion Tor President by the democracy at the Union
IN the hope. thai a similar process would he applied
Ia The general government From the. r',ponSihll
nv at such an undertaking. appalling ~ II seem
-,i 10 me. d moi feel Al liberty 10 shrink. la The
canvass which cnsnrd. the Democratic party repre-
scented reform IN the administration of the Federal
Government and Il restoration OF our complex polil
zeal system 10 the pure ideas of lis founders. pom
these ISSUES The people Of the United States. by
majority al more Than quarter al i million. chose
uajority of The c",ors To east their votes for the
Democratic candidates for President and Vice
President.
Ii is my right and privilege here to say that | was
nominated and elected 10 The Presidency absolutely
free from any engagements IN respect TO the cNer-
else OF ITS owers or the disposal OF ITS patronage
Through the whole period of my relation TO the
Presidency lid every thing IN NV power 10 elevate
and nothing 10 lower moral standards III the conf
petition OF parties.
BY what nefarious means the basis for false
count was land IN several States need not recIie
These are now matters of history about which what
ever diversity of opinion may have existed in either
OF the great parties on the country al the time OF
their contamination has since practically disap-
pcared. | refused TO ransom from The returning
boards of the Southern States the documentary
evidence by the suppression of which, and by the
substitution of frauiulent and forged papersa pre-
text made for the preparation of false count.
The constitutional duty Of the two Houses of Con-
gress 10 count the electoral votes cast. and TO
give effect 10 the Will OF the people as expressed by
their suflragss. was never fulfilled. An electoral
commission, Tor the existence OF which have no
responsibility, was formed and 10 II the two Houses
of Congress ablcaied their duty TO make the count
by law enacilng that the count of the commission
shall stand as final unless overruled by the concur
rent action Of The two Houses.
Its false count was not overrued. owing 10 the
completely of Republican Senate with Republic
can majority OF the commission. Controlled by its
Republican majority OF 10 the electoral commits
sion counted out the men elected by the people and
counted IN men not elected by the people. That
subveEsion Of the election created issue for
The decision oil the people OF the | ulteI STATES.
in Importance all questions of admin
isiration. II involved the vital principle Of self
government through elections by the people. The
immense growth Of the Means OF corrupt influence
over the ballot-box. which is at the disposal of the
party having possession OF the executive admins
iraon had already become present evil and great
danger tending 10 make elections irresponsible TO
public opinion hanp-ring the power Of The people
TO change their rulers. and enabling the men hold
ing the machinery OF the Government TO continue |
anil perpeiuate their power. II nv opinion in |
1876 that the opposition attempting TO change the
needed 10 include al least two-thirls
Of the voters at the opening Of the III order
to retain majority N the election.
II, after such obstacles had been overcome, and |
of the people had voted 10 change the adj
nnstraton OF their Government. the men in Office
could still procure a false count, founded upon |
frauds. perjury and forgeries, furnishing pretexi
OF documentary evidence on which TO base that |
false count and II such 4 transaction not |
only successful, but If after allotment of lis benefits
were made 10 lis coniriyers, and abettors. and |
biologists by the chief beneficiary OF the transac-
lions, It were coniOncd by the people. a practical |
destruction OF elections 10y the people, would have
been accomplished.
The failure 10 install The candidates chosen hy the
people, II contingency consequent upon act or |
omission Of mine. and beyond my CONTROL has thus
eft me for the last three years, and until now.
hen the Democratic party, by It's delegates in Ma
ional convention assembled. shall choose Il new
eader the involuntary but necessary representa-
ave OF this momenous issue. AS such. denied the
of private life, without the powers con
erred by public station subject 10 unceasing false
FOODS and caumnies from the partisans of an al
N lat flnn vain 1fa rNrEt
:nce, have nevertheless stealfastly endeayored 10
preserve To the Democratic party Of the United
ieclson next November. whether this shall lie
government by the sovereign people through cleo
ions, or government by discarded servants hold
ny over by force and fraud, and | have Withheld |
iold, organize and consolidate against the enemies
II representative institutions the great party which
lone, under God, cncctuay resist their over
brow.
Having now borne faithfully my full share of la
or and care IN the public service, and wearing the
marks OF MS burdens. desire nothin. 50 much As
n honorable discharge. | wish To Lay down the
onOrs and iOil, OF even quasi parry leadership. AMI
D seek the rrpn-, oi private life. In r,nounring 4
enomlnlilun Tor The Presidency I ,lu 50 with no
oum IN INV mln'l Is Ia The vote OF the Stale Of New
iork or Of The tnird States, hut because believe
hat II is remuneration al reelection Ia the IrcSi-
ency.
To tLose who think my nomination AMI re-
lection Indispensable 10 An rii"tual Nin,lIcation
the right III The people 10 elect their rulers.
Iolated ia nv person. | have accorded a.
pns areseIve III my decison aS possible, hut can
ot overcome my t-lnsiIInrc lo enter Iniu new
Engagement winch involves four Years Of crlstlts-
Ill. The dignity of u Presidential office il ahnvc
Ierely personal ambition hut II creates IA M
ltiSoil. lis value Is great a i power Tor good 10
H. country. said tour Years age IA accepting the
ominai"n: Knowing ~ dn, therefore, from
resh experience how great the difference Is he
srrn gliding through official routine AMI working
nj reform OF systems and l"rieS, II Is ImlnSsl-
IL Tor me 10 contemplate what needs To br done
1 the federal administration without an anN"u-
rnSe al the difficulties OF the undertaking. II |
10y the suiiragrS of INV cuunirymen Ia
tempt TINS work, shall endravor with Gods |
clip 10 he efficient M the scrurcincni OF their |
Ill" such asvOfk OF renovation. after many
ears Of ml-rt1c, such reform Of systems and
ncies to which would chrrrfully have sacrificed
II that remained 10 me ri life aud health Is. fear
eyond nv strength. Win unirlgnci thanks for I
unors bestowed upon me, with heart swelling |
nh emoiions of gratitude To The Democratic
lasscs for The support which they hnva gwen To
he cause represented and their confidence III
very emergency, remain Your fellow clllzrn,
/ |