Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1884-06-19
TTLDEN,S DECLINATION,


from the Presidential race. In an open let
ter to Mr.. Manning, Chairman Of the New
York Democratic State Committee, he says
positively that he cannot permit his name
to come before the National Democratic
Convention in connection with the Presiden-
cy. Mr.. Tilden's letter possesses vigor
characteristic of its author, and is admira-
BILE in tone and spirit. The following is
his letter in full:
NEW YORK, June 10, 1884
TO Manning, Chairman Democratic State Com
mittee of New York: In my letter of June 49,
$780, addressed to the delegates from the State OF
New York to the Democratic National Conven-
ton, l said: "Having now borne faithfully my
full share of labor and care in public service and
wearing marks of its burdens, I desire nothing so
much as an honorable discharge wish to lay
down the honors and tolls of even quasi party
leadership and to seek the repose of private life
In renouncing the nomination for the Presi-
dency I do so with no doubt in my mind as
to the vote of the State of New York or Of the
United States, but because believe that it is the
remuneration of reelection to the Presidency.
To those who think my denomination and re-
election indispensable to etfectual vindica-
ton of the right of the people to elect their rul-
ers, violated in my person, have accorded as
long a reserve of my decision as possible, but
cannot overcome my repugnance to enter into
a new engagement which involves four years Of
ceaseless toll. The dignity Of the Presidential
Office is above merely personal ambition, but it
creates in me no illusion. Its value is as great
power for good to the country.
1 said four years ago in accepting the nonina-
ton: "Knowing as do therefore, from fresh ex-
perience how great the difference is between
gliding through an official routine and working
out reform of systems and policies, 1t IS I'M
possible for me to contemplate what needs to be
done in the Federal Administration without an
anxious sense Of the difficulties of the under
| taking. If summoned by. the suttrages OF my
countrymen to attempt this work shall en-
deavor with Gods help to be the efficient in
strument of their will. Such work of renova-
ting after many years of misrule, such reform
of systems and policies, to which would cheer
fully have sacrificed all that remained to me of
health and life, is now, I fear, beyond my
strength" My purpose to withdraw from fur
| ther public SERVICE and the grounds of it were
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.
I reiterated my determination unconditional-
| ly. In the four years which have since elapsed
nothing has occurred to weaken, but everything
to strengthen the considerations which prompt
ed my withdrawal from public life. To all
who have addressed me on the subject my in
tention has been fairly communicated.
Some of my more especial friends, under the
sanction of their own names, have publicly sta
ted my determination to be irreversible. 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 to serve them once
more is entitled to the most deferential consider
alton, and would inspire disposition to do any
thing desired Of me if it were consistent with my
Judgment of duty. I believe there is no instru-
mentality in human society so potential in its
influence upon mankind for good Or evil as the
governmental machinery for administering JUS
tice and for making and executing laws. Not
all the eleemosynary institutions or private be-
Iy,a1 fo w nh nj devote
their lives are fruitful in benefits as the rescue
and preservation of this machinery from the per-
versions that make it the instrument of con-
spiracy and fraud and crime against the most
sacred rights and interests Of the people. For
fifty years as private citizen, never contempla-
ting an official career, have devoted at least as
much thought and effort to the duty influencing
right action of the Government institutions OF
my country as to all other objects. l have never
accepted official service except for brief period
for a special purpose, and only when the occasion
seemed to require from me that sacrifice of pri-
vate preferences to public welfare. undertook
the State administration of New York because it
it was supposed that in that way only could the
executive power be arrayed on the side ofreforms
to which, as private citizen, had given three
years of my life. I accepted the nomination for
the Presidency in 1875 because of the general con-
viction that my candidacy would best present
heissue of reform which the Democratic major
ity of the people desired to have worked out in
the Federal Government, as 1t had been III that
of the State of New York.
believed had strength enough then to reno
vate the administration of the Government Of the
United States, and at the close of my term to
hand over that great trust to successor faithful
to the same policy Though anxious to seek
the repose of private life l nevertheless acted
upon the idea that every power is trust and in
wolves duty. In reply to the address of the
committee communicating my nomination, !
depicted the difficulties of the undertaking and
likened my feelings in engaging in it to those
of soldier entering battle, but did not with
hold the entire conservation of my powers to the
public service. Twenty years of continuous NAL
administration, under the demoraliZing influence
Of intestine war and bad finance, have infected
the whole governmental system of the United
States with cancerous growths, false construc-
tions 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
work of great difficulty and labor and cannot
be accomplished without the most energetic and
efficient and personal action on the part Of the
Chief Executive of the Republic. The canvass
and administration which it is desired that I
should undertake would embrace period OF
nearly five years. Nor can admit any illusion
as to their burdens. Three years of experience
in the endeavor to reform the municipal govern
ment of the city of New York and two years of
experience in renovating the administration of
the State of New York have made me familiar
with the requirements of such work. At the
present time the considerations which induced
my actions in 1880 have become Imperative
I ought not to assume a task which have not
the physical strength to carry through. 10 re-
form the administration of the Federal Govern
ment, to realize my own ideal and to fulfill the
just expectations of the people would indeed
warrant, as they could alone compensate, the
sacrifices which the undertaking would involve;
but in my condition of advancing years and de-
clinng strength feel no assurance of my ablll-
ty to accomplish these objects. / am, therefore,
constrained to say definitely that cannot now
assume the labors of administration or of can
vass. Undertaking in no wise the best gift
of heaven, the occasion and power sometimes
bestowed upon mere individual to communi-
cate an impulse for good, grateful beyond all
words to my fellow-countrymen who would as
sign such beneficient functions to me- am con-
soled by the reflection that neither the Democrat
ic party, nor the Republic, for whose future that
party is the best guarantee, is now, or ever can
be, dependent on any one man for their sue
cessful progress in the path of noble destiny.
Having given to their welfare whatever of health
and strength possessed or could borrow from
the future, and having reached the term OF my
capacity for such labors as their welfare now
demands, I but submit to the will of God in
deeming my public career forever closed
SAMUEL J. TILDEN.
The above from the pen of MIR. Tilden
himself should certainly put an end to all
further speculation about his altitude in the
matter, and the probable action of the Dem
ocratic National Convention on the question.
The cry for the "old ticket' must cease now,
and Democrats who may have the well
fare of the party and the country at heart
must begin to discuss other and more avail
able men. There is no lack for good mate
rial from which worthy standard-bearers
NAV be selected, An honest, manly plat