San Marcos free press. [volume] (San Marcos, Tex.) 1877-1892, 1880-07-10

IN. y. Sun. Jane ss.l

Il
Now passes into history ono NOR
namc TO become classic and endurinl
engraved in Noticeable character
among the Hottest and most admirabl
Of American statesmen.
Or q delicate physical mould. mod
ost and retiring 10 disposition, but on
lowed with q mind iutritiyely bent o
vast subjects, aus! grssping great pub
lilo questions, Samuel j. Tildsu pu'
sued . peculiar course. Second I
none in his interest 10 public affair
be persistently remained 10 privat
life until he saw difficult and essentis
work to be accomplished. which no on
else had the combined intelligence ant
courage to encounter.
We speak considerably when we sa.
that II required much more unoom
mon quality Of courage to undertake
and conduct to success the wsriar
against q corrupt bench, as accomplish
cd by Mr.. Tilden. than is requisite TO
the most daring achievements on thu
field Of battle. 1t is the courage o
calm reflection and self.sacri6cinl
spirit; it comes from love Of country
aud Of justice superior to all love o.
self.
Mr.. Tilden had Q hold upon the
country possessed by no other man
He undoubtedly would have been re-
nominated had be not declined. We
thought that his declination ought to
have been disregarded by the Con
vention. We thought chat he should
be put forward again as the candidate
of the patriotic Democracy, even it he
died in harness" in consequence. But
nearly every member of the Conven-
ton knew that Mr.. Tilden's health
was, temporarily at least, greatly i'm
paired. They were forbearing toward
one who had done so much at once tor
the party and the country.
Then it seems that Gov. Tilden's
full and magnificent letter Of declina.
ton was supplemented at very early
hour yesterday morning, before the
nomination wac made. by the following
telegram:
JUNE "a. 1880.
Hon. DANIEL MANNING, Grand Ho.
tel, Cincinnati. Ohio:
"Rccelyed your kilograms and many
others containing like information.
My action was we'll considered, and is
No friends must be al
lowed to cast doubt on my motives
or my sincerity.
SAMUEL j. TILDEN.
After this nothing vas left but to
abide by Mr.. Tildens strongly ex
pressed and reiterated wishes. The
greatest, the wisest the best Of men are
mortal. Mr.. Tildeu had given to his
State and his country so much Of his
physical strength that it would have
been an inconsiderate, if not u cruel
act, to require him to endure the bur-
dens of another campaign.
Mr.. Tilden's name. 10 future history,
will rank with the names of Washing.
ton, Jefferson, Madison, Jackson, and
Lincoln. A truer and puter patriot is
not to be found among them all.
Mr.. Tilden served this State in the
office of Governor as it has been the
fortune Of no other man since he was
born to serve it. He would have
served the country as President in the
same way. He was elected, but de
frauded out Of the Office. Having
been elected, be steadfastly and sturdi.
ly refused, upon principle, all invited
brides to officers to make true and cor
rect returns.
Now, when there is no longer any
object to make sinister and lipellous
attacks on Mr.. T;ldeu, he will begin,
for the first time, to attain to the true
honor and fame which belong TO him.
Few men SO remarkable have been
born on the American continent
which has given birth to some of the
best men of any country of all time.
Mr.. Tilden plsses-uot to the grave,
but to q deserved, recuperative rest.
His is the rarest Of all fortunes-to
enjoy at once the fame of the noble
dead with the zest, the glow, the en-.
thusiasm Of, We trust, long continued
life. The Administration, the nation,
will yet seek his counsels, and profit
by them. He has richly earned his
rich reward; and all that loving troops
OF friends and a grateful country can
confer upon him will be his.