The sun. (Fayetteville, N.C.) 1883-188?, 1884-06-17
SAMUEL J. TILDENS LETTER.
He Declines to Enter the Presidential
Race.

"a" ELL - ~ y A0A xlxks
He Declines to Enter the Presidential
Rage.
New YORK, June II, 1884.
The following from Samuel J.
Tilden has been given to the Asso-
ciated Press:
New YORK, June 10, 1884.
To Daniel Manning, Chairman V
the Democratic State Committee Of
Neu York:
In my letter Of June Is, 1880, adj
dressed to the delegates from the
State of New York to the Demo-
cratic National Convention, l said:
"Having now borne faithfully my
full share of the labor and care in
the public service, and wearing
marks Of it's burdens, l desire moth
ing so much as an honorable dis
charge. l wish to lay down the
honors and tolls of even quasi party
leadership and to seek the repose Of
private life. In renouncing the NOM
nation for the Presidency, | do so
with no doubt in my mind as to the
vote of the State Of n. Y, or Of the
United States, but because [ believe
it is a remuneration of an election to
the Presidency. To those who think
my denomination and reelection in
dispensable to an effectual vindica-
ton of the right Of the people to
elect their ruler, violated in my per-
son, [ have accorded as long a re-
serve of my decision as is possible,
but [ cannot overcome my repug-
nance to enter into a new engage
ment which involves four years of
ceaseless toll. The dignity of the
Prudential Office is above personal
ambition, but it creates in me no IL
fusion. It's value is as great a pow
er for good to the country, [ said
four years ago in accepting the NOM
ination. Knowing as L do, there
fore, from fresh experience, how
great the difference is between glid-
ing through an official routine and
workingout a reform of systems and
politics, it is impossible for me to
contemplate what needs to be done
in the Federal administration with
out an anxious sense of the difficult
ties Of the undertaking.
If summoned by the suffrages Of
my country to attempt this work, |
shall endeavor, with Gods help, to
be the efficient instrument Of their
will. Such a work Of renovation
after many years Of misrule, such
reform Of systems and politics to
which | would cheerfully have sac
riiced all that remained to me, of
health, and life is now, l fear, be-
yond my strength. My purpose to
withdraw from further. public SER
vice, and the grounds Of it were at
that time we'll known to you and to
others, and when at Cincinnati,
though respecting my wishes your
self, you communicated to me an
appeal from many valued friends to
relinquish that purpose, | reiterated
my determination Internationally.
In the four years which have since
elapsed, nothing has occurred to
weaken, but everything to strength
en- the considerations which induced
my withdrawal from public life. To
all who have addressed me on the
subject, my intention has been
frakly communicated. Several of
the most confidential friends, under
sanction of their own names, have
publicly stated my determination to
be irrevocable. That | have occa-
sion now to consider the question l
share no responsibility. The appeal
made to me by the Democratic mass
es with apparent unanimity to serve
them once more is entitled to the
most %deferential consideration, and
would inspire a disposition to any
thing desired of me, if it were con-
sistent with my judgment of duty.
| believe that there is no instrument
tality in human society so potential
in its influence upon mankind for
good or evil as governmental ma
chinery. For the administering of
justice and for the making and e.
cutting the laws not all the elemosy-
nary institutions or private benevo-
lence to which the philanthropists
may devote their lives are so fruitful
in benefits as the reserve and pres
ervation Of this machinery from per-
version that make it the instrument
Of conspiracy, fraud and crime
against the most sacred rights and
interests Of the people.
For fifty years as a private citizen,
never contemplating an official ca
reer, [ have devoted at least as much
thought and effort to the duty Of in
auencing a right action Of the gov
ernmental institution Of my country
IS to all other objects. have never
accepted official service except for a
brief period, for a special purpose,
md only when the occasion seemed
require from me that sacrifice of
preferences to the public
Welfare.
[ undertook the State administra-
ion Of New York because it was
imposed that in that way only could
bo ovoortiuo nou,or bo ox.o,ro1 nv