New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1882-01-31
THE GRAND OLD Nan"

1891. especially for man whose habit OF pro-
crastination made a bywOrd of his III see
Won later But there arc indications that the
Tiden Literary Bureau is already engaged IN
working ND a boom " for the old gentleman.
About once a week there comes to us loud
cry for Tillcn as the next Democratic candi-
date for President. 1t comes sometimes from
the West sometimes from the South or Sorth-
west: sometimes it is "A wal over the " fraud
of SIG sometimes demand for his vindlca'
ton, sometimes jeremlad over hepubll'An
misrulc with mailing of Tilden as the hope OF
the Nation, and sometimes all combined. And
this does not include Montgomery Blair, who
presents all sides of the question: and, Ike Death,
has all seasons for his own. The periodical
character of these spurts with the fact that
thcy occur ut widely separated points, leads us
to think that the Bureau is putting in its seed.
From the fact that great stress is laid upon the
old gentlemans desire for n quiet private life,
and the extreme imprODab'lity OF his consent
ing to he candidate, We infer that the Great
American Mont ondoner himself is feeling the
pulse of the people.
The latest demonstration is by The Quincy
CID Herald, which starts ont with the unqua.l-
fed assertion that if the Democratic party viii
only nominate him in 1851 it will win Il great
victory. 1t follows this with an cGrally conf
dent statement that Il" there are only two things
to prevent Mr.. Tildcn's nomiDation-death
"and his own consent (sic) to accept it, and
adds that Z" there is no special reason to expect
his death" So that if the Illinois prophet is
correct there Is nothing to prevent Mr.. 1lldcn'
being the next President except Z" his consent
to accept it." His consent will prevent 1t.
Evidently tho old gentleman himself is Of the
same opinion, and for that reason takes pains
to have it known that he does not consent.
The event being assured it is interesting to
know the estimate which the prophet puts upon
Mr.. Tilden. TO begin with, he is " the g1andest
character OF this age. There is no man living
aby whom the grandeur of this mans character
acan be measured" He has borne a mons
trous wrong in dead silence" and with
"dignity that bespeaks the mighty man." lie
is grand old man" He is mot very old
"man" lie is i'll good health" lie is a
grand old hero" "lrhc thieves hate and fear
chin; but the people love and honor HIM"
What is much more, he supplies long -fclt
want Says this Democratic organ: ave
have said That the Democratic party is with
"out leader and without an issue. But Mr.
"Tidcn is leader of leaders, and he is himself
"an issue" Nothing trucr WAS ever said. He is
himself an issue. Mr.. John Kelly admits that.
But our pancgyrist goes on to describe him as Il
"living monument" Of various things, to wit
of the greatest political crime ever perpctratcd
" in this country; of "the fOuest blow that
"wns ever dealt republican government; of
" the greatest wrong that WIS ever done the
"people of this Nation =; and of the unspcak
| sable infamy" of the vile cOnspiratorS who
plotted and executed these mOnstrOus
| "wrongs,n and who " fear the pure old man
I" God bless him tOrcver-cven more than they
do the day OF Judgment OF these "cOn-
"spirators it is remarked that the thought OF
Tilden /" sets them into IA very frOth OF tear,
"and they commence to shiver and to curse
"him." He stands" says the editor, " as an
"ever-present judgment day upon their mons
q rous crimes" All of which looks very much
as though the Bureau had begun thus early to
get in its work We have but one criticism to
offer upon this fervid outburst. 1t is all very
well to call him grand old man." a grand
old hero" an ISSUE" a "lving monument"
of various things, and ian ever present judy
ment day" .; but when it comes to the "puro
old man-God bless him forever, well, isn't
that Just IA little bit too-sOrt of OVERLOOKING
as it were-at this stage of the gameY