Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1884-04-03
T11IDENs FRIENDS AND ENEMIES
The Sage More Afraid of His Party
Than of the Burden of a Canvass.

II
Than of the Burden of a Canvass.
The Sunday Telegram of Harrisburg,
Penn, publishes the following interview
with Samuel J. Tilden, written by c. P.
Bacon, of Elmira. law partner Of Lieu
tenant-Governor Hill.
After a pleasant greeting, pointing to
some forty or fifty visiting cards lying
upon the table. Mr.. Tilden SAID: ''IhOse
have all come this morning. Ny friends
do not forget me, but l cannot see all OF
them. 1t makes me feel bad that L cannot
do so, but am getting old. My private
business Is large and constantly growing.
1t takes up much Of my time. want to
get out, but. [ cannot"
Abiding to Secretary Stenger's visit,
Mr.. Tilden said "The other day former
member of Congress from Pennsylvania,
who is now connected with Gov. Patti
sons administration in that State, called
TO see me. He is warm political friend
Of mine and / talked with him freely. In
few days an account of his visit was
published, which was filled with many
errors. Why. be said / was weak, ema-
ciated and paralyZed, that my frame was
teshless and that the skin hung loosely
on my bones. In fact, l am nearly as
neshy as ever / was, and weigh l21
pounds, which has been my normal weight
for years. 1t is about what l weighed
when l was Governor. l never weighed
over 140 in my life"
Speaking OF his brother Henry, who
died about two weeks ago, and who was
very dear to him, be said: 1.-The last time
L saw Henry before his death we parted
on the steps of my house and his last
words to me were: Sam, l wish you hal
half of my strength and l jOkingly re-
piled, 4 may outliye you yet"
Mr.. Bacon asked about the Presidency.
The smile passed from his face as MIR. Til
den replied:
Il don't know what more can say than
/ have already said. Ny letter Of 1880
fully expresses my views. was elected
IN 1876, and with that l am satisfied. l
have passed the prime OF life. j may live
one year, | may live ten, but, whatever
years are in store for me, be they few or
many, wish to enjoy. think l have
right to 20 upon the retired list, and /
think l have right to remain there. l
am happy with my business, my books,
my farm at GreystOne, my house and my
friends. / am not seeking the nOmina-
ton. More than that, do not desire it,
and my name should not be discussed in
connection with the subject"
What If all shades Of opinion in your
party, your enemies even more strongly
than your friends, insist that you lead the
party in the coming contest and will not
take NO for an answerr
Again the old gentleman's face showed
a shade of sadness as he replied: ''Ihat
contingency, | trust, Will never arise. l
love the Democratic party. l would do
almost anything to aid III advancing its
principles, but have made all the sacri-
fees that are necessary in its behalf"
The impression produced by the details
Of the conversation with Mr.. Tilden is
that he does not fear the burdens of be-
coming candidate for the Presidency
half so much as he does the burdens of
being a President. The prevailing idea
seems to be that the excitement of the
campaign would break him down; but
Mr.. Tilden seems to shrink from the du-
ties devOlying upon a President far more
taan he does from those deYOlying upon
him a candidate. He evidently breads
his party far more than he does his enc
mics, and hates to be placed in position
where it would try to run him and he not
have the physical courage and strength
to hold himself alOOf.