New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1883-08-25
THE DEMOCRATIC SPHINX.


1t is sometimes represented by Mr. l1ldens
friends that he is very much annoyed by the
publicity given to all his movements, anu
particularly by the stories set afloat by news
paper correspondents concerning MS physicu
condition, in connection with his supposed
nolitical aspirations Under these appeals we
have sometimes felt ourselves that the lilVa-
sion of his retirement, under the circumstances,
and the constant chatter about him IN the
uewspapers were brutal and unfeehng, ana
that simple sense of decency and proprlety
demanded that as private citizen seeking no
Office and taking no action or prominent part
in public affairs, his desire TO be let alone
should be regarded. If the representations oil
his friends were entirely accurate ana uue'
all the gossip about him during the past three
or four years, the contradictory stories about
his health and physical condition, his domestic
habits, personal appearance, and all that,
have been uncalled for, impertinent and IN
excusable. 1t should be said, however, in
Justice to his political opponents, that he owes
this uncomfortable notoriety entirely To those
who claim to be his political and personal
friends. If he has been brought out as can
didate for the Presidential nomination In 1884
and in consequence has been followed more
closely than was agreeable by prylng inter-
viewers and political gossips, he has only his
own Jealous friends to thank for 1t. Repu0ll-
can newspapers as rule have not invaded
his privacy or commented upon his appear
ance and condition except as the subject has
been forced upon their attention by his Jealous
supporters who consider him the only great
statesmen of the period, and cannot bear the
thought of his withdrawal from active partici-
patton in public affairs.
And herein We may discern in degree the
secret of his failure as politician. lie has
given out in a pretty positive way that he is
not a candidate for any public Office. How
mnch credit is given him for sincerity in
this avowal may be seen by the fact that
| four-ffths of the leading Democrats In the
| country believe to-day that lie is more anxious
| if possible than ever before to be the candi-
date of the party. If his own party friends,
who should know him at least intimately
enough to be able to decide whether when he
makes a positive assertion he means to tell the
truth-lf these discredit him, how shall his
oppopents or the public believe in himY This
| il Mr. Tilden's trouble His own friends sus-
pect always that he means something little
different from what he says; that when he
SAYS he is out of public life and not candi-
date for Office he means only that he is tenn
porarily out and waiting for good
chance. 1t was because of their knowledge OF
him as public man that people heard his
letter of withdrawal as candidate In 1880
with au lncredulous smile, and many believed
that he intended only TO get stronger posi-
| ton by it. So in the matter OF the candidacy
for 1884 Notwithstanding the fact that the
two newspapers supposed to represent him
| most nearly and to be in lis most intimate
confidence, although they have repeatedly
stated upon the highest authorl y that Mr..
Tilden is not a ca didate, fail utterly to con-
vince the public that he is not in his quiet,
methodica sow-moving way working by all
The means in his reach for the nomination.
The peope-his own people particularly-m1y
misiudge him, but that is the belef of more
than four-ffths Of the American people to-
day.
lie knows, of course, that he is looked upon
as n candidate. He can change all that If he
really wishes to. 1t is quite possible for him
to write letter which should leave 40 ques-
ton upon this point in the mind of anybody.
The trouble is that he does not write such
letter and never has. He has never put HIM
self in such an attitude before the public that
people who know his sly ways and methods
of ndirection have not been able to point out
antiquities IN his expressions that left his
real purpose yelled in uncertainty. At present
he il the Democratic Sphinx. He does not
want to be considered candidate IN the
sense of exposing himself to criticism. But
If the public judge him rightly, he does want
to be = candidate if he can catch the nomlna-
ton without any risks and with a reasonable
hope of united party behind him.