Lancaster daily intelligencer. [volume] (Lancaster, Pa.) 1864-1928, 1884-06-12
TILDEN'S DECLINATION.
MS srupLiC UAKn~K ruK,vrK closed.
The sage ~ UrSystono writes u Letter, In |
which Ito hb-oiuteIy Dsciiucs too
frc,ideniiA Nomiu.iIou

The s,se u, UrSystono writes u Letter, In
which Ito Ao-oiutoIy Dsciiucs tue
frc,idontt,i 81 Nomination.
Tho following lotter from Samuel ].
Tildcu has bCou given tho Associated
Press:
NEW GORR, Juno 10, 1854.
10 Ddnicl Manning. Chairman NJ me Demo
crate State Compiittce Of NcW York:
In my letter of June Is, 1880, addressed
to the delegates from the state Of Now
York to the Democratic national couvep-
tion, | said:
Having now borne faithfully my full
share OF labor and care in the public scr
vice, and wearing the marks of It's bur.
dons, desire nothing 50 much rs an hon
orable discharge. wish to lay down the
honors and tolls of even quasi party lead =
ership and To seek the rcposo Of private
life. In rcnOuncing denomination for the
presidency do 50 with no doubt in my
mind as to the vote of tho state of New
York or Of tho United States. but because
believe that 1t IL "A ronuncation of re-
election 10 the presidency.
ITO those who think my denomination
aud reelection Indispensable to an otlCctual
yiudication of the right of tho people to
elect their rulors -viOlsted in my person.
| have accorded rs long reserve of my
decision as possible, but cannot overcome
my repuguance to enter into a new engage,
mcnt which involves four years of cease less
toll.
"The disuity Of the presidential Uflics
is abuvoa merely personal ambition, but
it creates iu me no illusion. It's value is q
great power for good to tho country.
said four years ago III accepting nOmin
alton Knowing rs do, therefore, from
fresh experience, how great tho difference
IL between gliding through an official
routine and working out reform of
systems aud policies, 1t is impC Ssiblo for
mo to contemplate what needs to DO done
III the federal administration without an
anxious sense of tho difficulties of tho
undertaking. Ii summoned by the suf
frages of my cuuutrymcn to attempt this
work, | shall ondoavor, with Gods help,
to be the Efficient instrument of their
will
such work Of renovation after many
years of misrulo, such q reform of systems
and policies to which | would Cheetfully
have sacrificed all that remained To me of
health and life, is now, fear, beyond my
strength.
My purpose to withdraw from further
public service, and the grounds of il,
were at that timo well known to you nd
To others aud when, at Cincinnati.
though respecting my wishes yourself,
you communicated to me an appeal from
many valued friends to reliuquish that
purpose, reiterated my determination
uncOnditiOually.
In the four years which have since
elapsed nothing has occurred To weaken,
but everything to strengthen, the COnsid-
eratious which induced my withdrawal
from public lie, To all who have al
dressed me on tho subject my intention
has been frankly communicated. Several
OF my most confident i friends, under the
sanction Of their own names, have pub
licly stated my determination To be
irreverstble. That have occasion now TO
| consider the question is an event for which
have no responsibility. The appeal
made to me by the Democratic masses
| with apparent unanimity 10 serve them
| once more Is entitled to the most defcren-
tial consideration, and would inspire a
disposition to do anything desired of me II
1t were consistent with my judgment OF
duty.
II believe that there is no instrumeutality
IN human society so pot ontial in its intlu
ence upon mankind for good or evil as the
governmental machinery for administering
justice and for making and executing
laws. Not all the olecmOsynary institutions
Of private beneyolence to which philan.
thropists may devote their lives arc SO
fruitful in benefits as the rescue and
preservation of this machinery from the
peryersiOns that make it the instrument
OF conspiracy, fraud and crime against the
most sacred rights and interests of the
people.
s,Epr Il fty ynara &, - , ,,.;v,.o ,;,;.,o,, .,..-..
contemplating an official career. | have
devoted at least as much thought and
effort To tho duty of influencing Alright the
action Of the governmental institutions of
my country as To all other objects. |
have never accepted official service except
for brief period for special purpose, aud
only when tie occasion seemed to require
from mo that sacrifice of private prefer.
ences To the public welfare.
II undertook the state administration of
New York because it was supposed in that
way only could the executive power be
arraged ON the sido VI tho reforms to
which, as a private citizen. had given tho
best years Of my life. accepted the
nomination for the presidency in 1876
because OF the general conviction that my
candidacy would best present the issue Of
reform which tho Democratic majority of
the people desired to have worked out in
tho Federal government as it had been in
that OF the state Of New York. | believed
that had strength enough then to
renoVate the adm 'listration of the gov
ernment of the United States and at the
close of my term to hand over the great
trust to SUCCESSOR faithful TO the same
policy.
Though anxious to seek the repose of
private life, | nevertheless acted upon the
idea that every power is o trust and in
wolves duty. In reply to the address of
the committee communicating my nOmi-
nation depicted the difficulties of the
undertaking and likened my feelings in
engaging IN it to those of soldier en-
tering battle; but did not withhold the
entire conservation Of my powers TO the
public service.
Twenty years Of continuous al.admin.
istration under the demoraiizing influences
OF intestine war and of bad finance have
infected the whole governmental system of
the United States with the canccrous
growths OF false contructiOns and corrupt
practices. Powerful classes have acquired |
pecuniary interests in official abuses, and
the moral standards of the people have
been impaired To redress these evils is a |
work OF great difficulty and labor, and |
cannot be accomplished without most
energetic and efficient personal action on |
.he part Of the chief executive of tho re- |
public.
The canvass and the administration