Lexington weekly intelligencer. (Lexington, Mo.) 1871-1887, 1884-06-14

"The dignity of the presidential Office is
above q merely personal ambition, but it
creates In me no illusion. Its value is, AZ
y great power for good to the country. / said
eight years ago, in accepting the nomina-
ion: Knowing, as do, therefore, from fresh
experience how great the difference is be-
tween going through an official routine and
working out the form of systems and policies,
it is impossible for me TO contemplate what
needs 70 De done In the federal administra-
ton without an anxious sense of the Difficult
of the undertaking. If summoned by
the suffrages of my countrymen to attempt
this work 1 shall endeayor. with Gods help,
to be the efficient instrument of their will
Such a work of renovation of many years of
such y reform of systems and poll
cies to which would cheerfully have sacri-
feed all that remains to me of health and life,
is now I fear beyond my strength" My pur-
pose to withdraw from further public service,
the grounds of it were at that time we'll
known to you and others, and when, at Gin
%clnnati, though respecting my wish your
self, you communicated to me an appeal from
many valued friends to %relinquish that pur-
pose, | reiterated my determination uucon-
ditionaily. In the four years which have
since elapsed nothing has occurred to weaken,
but everything to strengthen the considera-
tions which induced my
WITHDRAWAL FROM PUBLIC LIFE,
10 all who have addressed me on the sub
ject, my intention has been frankly COM
municated. Several of my most confidential
friends, under the sanction of their own
names, have publicly stated nv determine
ton to be irreversible. That l have occasion
now to consider the question is AN event for
which l have no responsibility. The appeal
made to me by the democratic masses, with
apparent unanimity, to serve them once
more, is entitled to the most defferential con-
sideration and would inspire a disposition to
do anything desired of me if it were consistent
with my judgment Of duty. 1 believe there
Is no instrumentality in human society so
potential in its influence upon mankind, for
good or evil, as the governmental machinery
for administering justice and for making and
executing laws. Not all the eleemosynary in-
stitutions of private beneyolepce, 10 which
philanthropists may devote their lives, are so
fruitful in benefits as the rescue and preser-
Walton OF this machinery from the prever-
slons that make it the instrument of con-
spiracy, fraud and crime against the most
sacred rights and interests of the people. For
fifty years, as a private citizen never contem-
plating an official career, ] have devoted at
least as much thought and effort to the duty
OF influencing Alright the action Of the gov
ernmental institutions of my country as to all
other objects. 1 have
NEVER ACCEPTED OFFICIAL SERVICE
except for a brief period for a special pur-
pose, and only when the occasion seemed to
require from me that sacrifice of private pre-
ference to the public welfare, I undertook
s.s state aulninistrauon OF New York be-
cause 1t was supposed that in that way only
could the executive power be arrayed on the
side of The reforms to which, as a private
citizen, I had given three years of my life. 1
accepted the nomination for the presidency
in 1876 because of the general conviction that
my candidacy would best present the issue of
reform which the democratic majority of
the people desired to have worked out in the
federal government as it had been in that of
the state of New York. | believed that 1 had
strength enough then to renovate the admin
%istratiOn of the government of the United
States. and at the close of my term to hand
over the great trust to a successor faith
full to the same policy. Though anxious to
seek
THE REPOSE OF RIVAT LIFE,
I nevertheless acted upon the idea that every
power is a trust, and involves a duty.
In reply to the address of the committee
communicating my nomination. depictedth thu
difficulties of the undertaking, and likened
my feelings in engaging In it to those of the
soldier entering battle, but l did not with
hold the eutire conservation of my powers tc
the public service. Twenty years of contin.
uous maladministration, under the demora,
LIKING influences of intestine war and of baG
finance nave infected the whole governmental
system of the United States with the cancer.
Gus growths of false constructions and cor.
rupt practices. Powerful classes have ac'
quired %pecuniary interests in official abuse.
and the moral standards of the people hay,
been impaired. To redress these evils is
work of great difficulty and labor and canno
be accomplished without the most energetic
and efficient personal action on the part of thu
chief executive of the republic. The can
vass and administration it is desired that
should undertake would embrace q period O
nearly five years. Nor can ! admit any illus
ion as to their burdens. Three years of ex
perience 10 the eudeavOr to reform the mum
icipal government of the city of New YOrl
and two years of experience in renovatin;
the administration of the state of New York
have made me familiar with the requirement
of such q work al the present time. The con
sideratiOns which induced my action in 1Ss
have become imperative. 1 ought not to as
sumo a task which 1 have
NOT H PHYSICAL
to carry out. To reform the administra
ten of the federal government to realize m
own ideal and to fulfill the Just expectation
of the people would indeed warrant, as the,
could alone compensate, the sacrifice which
the undertaking would involve. But in IN,
condition OF advancing years and declinin:
strength l feel no assurance of my ability t.
accomplish those objects. 1 AIN therefore
constrained to say definitely that l cannot nov
assume the labors of ah administration or o
q canvass, undertaking in no wise that bes'
gift Of heaven, the occasion and the powe
sometimes bestowed upon u mere individua
to communicate an impulse for good. Crate
full beyond all words to my felloW-country
men who would assign such a bcneficen
function to me, I am consoled by the retiec
ton that neither the democratic party nor tn
! republic for whose future that party is the be,
guarantee, is now, or ever can be, dependen
upon any one man for their successful pro
gress, the path OF a noble destiny. HavIn!
!, given to their welfare whatever of health an
strength possessed, or could borrow fro1
the future, and having reached the term G
my capacity for such labors as their welfar
r now demands, l but submit to the will of Go
2 in deeming my public career forever closec
SAMUEL j. TILDEN.
All kinds of flour is tried but none wi
stand the test like A. V. Robinson n Co
Roller and Red Il. may3ltf
= We possibly make as low prices on all kind
OF dry goods, notions, carpets. oil cloths, &c
: as any house in the county. Please give us
call. Wilker 4 Miller. iune14t3
HARD WOOD LUMBER.
q Have all kinds of hard wood lumber
l. Tor sale, ON my farm three miles south -
e OF Lexington, on Columbus road. Bills IL
!. left with me or at the mill will be -
a26tlf f ALLEN