New-York tribune., 1880-06-21

tempting to change the administration needed 10
include at least twO-thirds of the voters at the
opening of the canvass in order to retain q
majority at the election. If, alter such
obstacles had been overcome, and
majority Of the people had voted to change the ad
ministration of their Government the men Ill OF
flee could still procure false count founded upon
fraud, perjury and forgercs furnishing preteNC
of documentary evidence on which 10 pase
false count and If such trans
action were not only successful but. if after aot-
ments of its benefits were made to its contr'VerS.
aettOrs and apolOgiSts by the chief beneficiary OF
the transactions it were condoned by the pe0pe' Il
practical destruction of elections by tho people
would have been accomplished
THE SUPREME ISSUE.
The failure to install the candidates chosen by the
people-a contingency consequent upon no act or
omission of mine, and beyond my cOntrol-has TINS
left NE for the past three years and until now,when
the Democratic party, by its delegates in National
Convention assembled. shall choose new leader,
tho involuntary but necessary representative
of this mOrnentous issue; rs such denleu
the immunities of private life, without the powers
conferred by public station, subject TO uhccaslhR
falschoods and calumuies from the partisans OF All
administration laborng in vain to Justify s cXls-
cncc. have nevertheless steadfasty endeaN0red
to preserve to the Democratic party of the United
States the supreme issue before the people for their
decision next November, whether this shall he a
Government by the sovereign people
through elections. or government
| by discarded servants holding oVor Dy
force and fraud and have withheld no sacrifice
and neglected no opportunity to uphold. organize
and consolidate against the enemies of representa-
tive institutions the great party which, under God,
can cftcctually resist their overthrow.
Having now borne faithfully my full share OF labor
and care IN the public service ana wearing nnch 'ns ns
| an honorable discharge.
SEEKING REPOsE IN PRIVATE LIFE.
| Iwish to lay down the hOnOrs and tolls OF oven
quasi party leadership. and to seek tue repose OF
| private life. In renouncing denomination for the
| Presidency, l do so with no doubt In my mind as
| to the vote OF the State OF New-loik
or of the United States but because believe it Is
rcnunciation of reelection TO tho Presidency. To
those who think my nomination and reelection
indispensable to an effectual Vindication
of the right of the people to
elect their rulers, violated In my person. / have
accorded rs long reserve of my decision as posi-
bic. but cannot overcome my repugnance to enter
| into new engagement which involves four years OF
ceaseless toll The dignity of the Presidential
office is above a merely personal ambition, but IL
creates In me no illusion. Its value Is as great
mower for good to the country. l said four years
ago, in accepting the nomination:
knowing as do, therefore, from fresh experience
! how great the difference is between gliding
through an Official routine qua
working out reform OF syS-
| tens and policies 1t is impossible for me TO con-
template what needs to he done III the Federal ah-
ministratiOn without al anxious sense OF tle
difficulties of the undertaking. If summoned by thg
suffrages of nv countrvmon TO attempt this work
shall endcavOr. with Gods help, 10 be the eihclent
| instrument of their WILL
Such o work Of renovation after so many years oi
misrule, such reform of systems and poll
cies to which / would chcertully have sacrificed
all that remained to me of health and life, is now,
fear beyond my strength. With unfeigned
thankS for the honors bestowed upon
me- with heart swelling with
emotions Of gratitude to tie Democratic masses fol
| the support which they have given the cauS" rep
| resented, and their confidence i'll every emergency
| / remain your tellOw-cltlzen.