The Dawson journal., 1884-06-19

raigned on the sides of reforms to
which a private citizen. 1 had given
three years of my life.
HE TREATS or 1876.
| accepted the nomination for the
presidency in 1875 because of the
general conviction that my candida
cy would best present the issue of
reform, which the democratic major
ity of the people desired to have
worked out in the federal govern
ment as it had been in that Of the
state Of New York. I believed that
l had strength enough thea to reno
vate the admins tration Of the GOV
eminent of the United States, and at
the close Of my term, to hand over
the great trust 10 a successor faithful
% the same policJ. Though anxious
to seek the repose of private life, |,
nevertheless, acted upon the idea that
every power is trust, and involves
a duty. In reply to the address of
the committee communicating my
nomination, L depicted the difficult
ties of the undertaking, and hkened
my feeling and engaging in it to
those of soldier entering battle,
but I did not withhold the entire
conservation of my powers to the
public service. Twenty years of
continuous national administration.
under the demoralizing influence of
internecine war and Of bad finance,
have infected the whole government
system of the United States with
generous growthS Of false conStruc-
tons and corrupt practices Power
fnl classes have acquired pecuniary
interests in official. abuses, and the
moral standards Of The people have
been Impaired. TO ra,,css these
evils is a work of grca. difficulty and
labor, and cannot be accomplished
without the most energetic, and DIFF
ticult and personal action on the part
of the chief executive of the public.
THE FINAL ANswLR.
The canvass aud administration
which it is desired that I should un.
dertake, would embrace a period of
nearly five years, nor can admit any
illusion DIS to their burdens. Three
years Of experience in an endeavor to
reform the municipal government Of
the city Of New York, and two years
Of experience in reaovating the adj
ministration Of the state of New
York, have made me familiar with
the requirments of suco work. At
the present time the considerations
which induced my action in 1880
have become imperative. l ought
not to assume a task which l have
not the physical strength to carry
through to reform. The amendment
of the federal government to realize
my own ideal, and to fulfill the Just
expectations Of the people would, IN
deed, warrant as they could alone
compensate, the sacrifices which the
undertaking would involve, but in
my condition of advancing years and
declining strength, l feel no assur-
ance of my ability to accomplish
these objects. I an, therefore, con
strained to say definitely that l can
not now assume the labors of an adj
mlnistra,ion, OF Of a canvass, under
valuiug in 10 way that the gift of
heaven is the occasion and power
sometimes bestowed upon a mere in
dividual to communicate at impulse
for good. Grateful beyond all words
to my follow-counlrymen, who would
assign such beneGcent function to
me, I am cossoled by the reflection
that neither the democratic party,
nor the republican, for whose future
that party is the best guarantee, is
now or ever can be dependent upon
any one man for their successful
paogress IN the path Of noble destiny.
Having given TO their welfare what
ever of health and strength [ pos
possessed, or could borrow from the
future, and having reachel the term
OF my capacity Tor such labors rs
their welfare now demands, | but
submit to the Will Of God in declar-
ing my public career forever closed.
SAN'L j. TILDEN.
HENDRICKS INTERVIEWED.
INDIANAPOLIS, June 1l.-Houora-
BILE Thomas A. Hendricks, IN an IN
teryiew concerning Tilden's letter of
declinalion, said the news was not a
surprise to him, for when he visited
! Tillnn in Anml1st lnst thnt nn,,l1o