Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1882-01-26
OLD CHICKAMAUGA INTERVIEWER
He Is for Tilden in 1884.

The Chicago Tribune correspondent,
Gary. has been in Toledo interviewing
Gen. ]. B. Steedman about Tilden and
the campaign of 1884. The following Is
taken from the interview:
In all the length and breadth of Ohio
there is no more vigorous Democratic
politician than Gen. James B. Steedman,
OF this city. l stopped here to-day on
purpose to interview him, and the follow
interesting and striking talk is the resul
| met him on the street corner by the
telegraph office, busily talking with some
fellow-Democrats. Waiting until he
was apparently through, presented my
card:
81 want to talk with you. general?"
well, | am pretty reticent, you
know"
Eyes, know you are; but hoped you
might give me few ideas about Tilden
for the Presidency"
20, is that it? Well. am right out
and-out on that question. 1t is well
known that am
FOR TILDEN THROUGH AND THROUGH"
so understand How does it come
about with so many good men in this
State who are anxious for the sacrifice?"
Simply because 1 feel that Tilden is
the best man. He is the only man who
has organized victory for the Democratic
party since the war, and he can do so
again"
But general, are you certain that his
health will permit him to run? It
claimed that he could not endure the
campaign, and would not be able to act
were he elected"
"Now, I'll tell you what know about
that. A little over a year ago l was in
New York. 1 was walking down Broad
way, and saw Mr.. Tilden on horseback
in the street. He was sitting as straight
as any cavalier, and riding with ease.
raised my hat to him and he returned
my salutation. and reigned his horse to the
curbstone tospeak to me. He remember
ed who l was and asked me up to tax
tea with him that evening. Igladly ac-
, cepted, of course. had been for TIlden
. in the
CINCINNATI CONVENTION OF 1880.
A was one of the 13 out of the A Ohio
2 delegates who stood out on the subject.
: My affection was with Hancock. con-
: sidered him then, and do now, as the
, grandest specimen of gallent and high
toned American soldier and gentleman.
I He was my companion in arms and a
= good Democrat. But wanted Tilden
because my Judgment said that he could
win. Well, we couldn't get Tilden, and
the great mistake was made which re-
suited in defeat. Hancock knew moth
ing of politics and politicians. and was as
helpless as child The fellows who al
= ways rush to the front on such occasions
NF nj
Had Tilden been the candidate he would
have directed his own campaign. That
It is the di1erance,
! AND VERY SERIOUS ONE, TOO.
= Had Tilden been. the candidate, he would
= have seen to it that the vote of Indiana
a was properly cast it was serious
. blunder and piece Of base--gratitude
that Tilden was not nominated in 1880!
a He is the Jackson of modern days. As
= Jackson received the popular vote in 1924,
and then failed to take his seat as Presi-
; dent on account of the election being
!. :. thrown into the House of Representatives,
:, and then was nominated four years later
y y and fairly elected, and took his seat; so
: did Tilden in 1875 receive the electoral
:, :, vote, and failedlto be seated only to be dis
o carded in 1880. This but shows the de-
- generacy of these modern days, but
:, IN 1884
/. THERE WILL BE NO REPETITION n
Ct of the fiasco of 1880; and Jim Blaine
1t won't be the nominee of the party either
% We've had all the Greeleys we want,
e voted for Greeley with mental reserva
d tion; but I have always been sorry that
it cast that vote. Well, as I said, Tilden
It knew me pretty we'll; and you may rest
% assured we spent very pleasant evening
sr together, talking on various subjects.
d listened to what he had to say with the in
d terest which always attaches to the con.
IF versation of SO great man. Now, the
N fact of the business is, Mr.. Tilden hal
ID been greatly slandered so far as his agt
I'd is concerned. He is
4. ONLY IN HIS 6STH YEAR.
q That is just three years older then
~ ~ am. Ill tell you how know. During
~ ~ the evening he said to me-
10 Gen. Steedman, do you remembe
~ the political contest of 1924?
II Eyes, said |; locally J. remember it.
t to "How old were you? asked Mr.. Tilden
4 Il II was seven, replied.
q 81 was 10, said Mr.. Tilden.
,o ''Now I am 82," said the general con
% % tinuing, "At the time saw MFR. Tildel
70 % he was in good health, and entirely abl
q. to run the campaign; and believe he i
n still in reasonable health. If he retain
his health and vigor he will be nominal
ed in 1884. OF course. it is some littl
time ahead, and a good many things al
liable to turn up; but if things continu
as they now are, lam fully pursuade
|