Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1884-03-28
Friday March, %, 1884.
FINALLY BUT RELUCTANTLY.

The various statements communicated to
the people by distinguished gentlemen of
their interviews with Mr.. Tilden at his
home, may be accepted as an authoritative
announcement Of Mr.. Tilden's determine
ton not TO be candidate for President.
1t is generally known that those who
have given these statements to the public
have been steadfast supporters Of Tilden for
the Democratic nomination on the ground
that he would be stronger than any one else
it is possible to name; it is not probable,
therefore, that these friends and admirers
would state that Tilden was out of the race
if he had left the slightest doubt Of his posi-
ton. 1t is very evident that Mr.. Howell,
editor Of the Atlanta Constitution and one
OF the interviewers to whom we refer) was
satisfied not only by Tilden's positive decla-
rations, but also because personal contact
with the Sage convinced him that the strong
candidate Of 1875 could not survive the cam
paign Of 1884.
The language used by Mr.. Tilden in these
several interviews and his whole manner
have most clearly indicated that he has aban-
doned his ambition TO be President. He
is represented as having the characteristic
desire Of decrepitude TO appear as strong
as possible, but "his utterance was feeble
and scarcely audible at short distance"
Among his expressions were these: 81 will
not allow the use Of my name; it is not
right that | should undertake to do that
which I am physically unable to do; l
could not stand the physical effort;
would not disappoint my party my name
must not be considered" These are re-
markably frank expressions TO come from
a man who has always been noted for his
willy. use Of language. Mr.. Tilden must
have made up his mind finally, but evil
IDENTIFY reluctantly, to speak SO unequivo-
cally and TO acknowledge a senility and
decay which are undoubtedly very mortfy-
ing to him.
In his interview with the editor of the
Atlanta Constitution Mr. Tiden made use of
an expression which TO us was not only sad,
but was evidently intended as rebuke 10
the Democratic party. Referring to the de-
cision Of the Electoral Commission which
awarded the Presidency 10 Hayes, he said I:
"The act was one of great wrong and injus-
tice; know the people sympathized with
me, but it is too late; it is past, and wrong
that cannot be righted" The thought which
appears to have passed through his mind was
that the Democratic party should have vim
dictated him In 1880 by unanimous endorse
ment Of the "old ticket" when the fraud
could have been condemned by the people
at the ballot box, but that having failed TO
do this, it had forfeited the opportunity OF
regaining the lost prize for him or making
any further use of his name in connection
with the distinguished position.
In these interviews, Mr.. Tilden's favor
able mention Of Payne and Hoadly as posi-
BILE candidates, and by his speaking of Ran
dai as an admirable man, one who would
serve his party and country faithfully" are
not without much significance. 1t cannot be
denied that Mr.. Tilden will exercise Il CON
siderable influence in the naming of can
dldate, and that much heed will be given TO
his personal preferences. He has said quite
enough TO indicate that Payne or Hoadly,
and perhaps both, will be formidable cand-
dates for the Democratic nomination, and
his flattering reference to Randall indicates
that the tariff reform policy advocated by
the Carlisle Morrison wing will not be con-
spicuous in the platform, or in the campaign
Of the Democratic party.
We may fairly conclude, from a careful
survey Of the field, that the Sage of Gram
mercy Park will not be 4 candidate, but it
he shall live and retain his faculties until
the meeting of the Chicago Convention No
2, be will be an important factor in shaping
its platform and selecting its candidate.