West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1884-06-20
TILDEN'S DECLINATION.
row Nen's OF Pr~stdeutia, Toll aud
I""sel~ To" Great - rasL---Trasaautty
His only Dcsire

NEw NoRK, June ll.-Samuel J. Tilden
has written "a letter 10 Chairman Daniel
Manning OF the Democratic State Commit.
tee of New York positively declining a
denomination FOR the Presidency. In his
letter he says;
Having now bornc faithfully my fun share
OF labor aud caro- I'm the public service aud
wearing the marks of it's burdens desire
nothing So much as an honorable discharge. |
wish to lay down the houors and TOLLS of even
quhsi party leadership, and TO seek the rvposo
OF private life. IN rcnouncing "A re-
nomination, tor the Presidency l
10 the vote OF the state OF New York. or of
the United states, hut because believe that
IL Is remuneration OF reelection TO the Pres
ldcncy. To those who think my renomi nation
yindicatlon OF the rfkbt OF the people to elect
unClr tuiore violated in my porSon-I have
accorded a. long a reserve OF my decisioH as
possible, hut can not overcome my rCpug-
nance To enter into new engagement which
involves four years OF ccasclcss toll. Tho dig
MY OF the presidential ONCE
,s above merely personal am
Its value is great power for good to the
country. 70 All who have addressed
frankly communicated several OF my most
confidential friends. under the sanction of
men men own names have publicly stated my
nrtorniuHtion To ho irrcvcrsihle. That have
occasion now tu consider the question In an
event for which have no responsibility. The
appeal made To inc 10y the Democratic masses,
with apparent unuuimity, TO serve them once
more D. entitled to the most defcrontial con
sidrrat ion and would inspirc "A dispnsitiou tn
do anything desired of mc A. ID were consistent
with my Judgment of duty. | believe there is
NO instrumcntuiity In human society so DO
tchtal in ITS influence upon mankind for good
or evil as the governmental machinery for ad-
ministcring justice and for making and exc
cutting laws. Not all the elccmosynnry institu-
iions OF peVatc bcncvolcncc To which philan-
thropists may devote their lives are SO fruitful
IN benefits rs the rescue and preservation OF
this machinery from the pCrvorsions that
make n the instrument of COuSpirarV.
fraud, ana crime against the most si-
cred rights and interests of the pcople
For NIFTY years, as "a private citizen, never.
contemplating an oficial career. I have de-
voted Ht least ns much thought aud effort TO
INC duiN ot influencing Alright the action OF
the governmental institutions of my country
0s To all other objects. The
canvass aud administration, which IL is desired
thhi ! should undertake., would embrace "A,
period of nearly tvc years, nor can | admit
any illusion as to their burdens. Three years
OF experience In the cndcavor To reform the
municipal government in tho city Of New
YORK, and two years Of experience ia rcnOyHt-
ing the administration of the state of New,
York, have made me familiar with the
requirements of such work. At the pros
cnt time the considerations which.
como Imperative. ought not assume n task
which ] have not the physical strength 10
carry through. To reform the administration
OF the federal Poycrnmcut, 10 realize my own
ideal, and To iulhil the just expectations OF
the people, would indeed warrant, as thcy
coulu alone compensate the suCriiCCs winch.
the undertaking would involve But, in my
condition OF advancing years and declining
strength, ! feel no assurance OF my ability
20 accomplish those objects. am,
tn re- irc, constrained TO say definitely
M can not now assume the
lai or OF an administration or OF can
NaSs. undertaking Ia no wise that best gift of
hcaV"n-the occasion and the power some
times bestowed upon mere individual TO
communicate an impulse for good. Grateful
beyond all words TO my fellow countrymen
who would assign such IL bonenccnt function
80 me, AN cousOled 10y the renec-
tion that neither the Democratic
party nor the Republic for whose future
that party is tho best guarantee, is
now, or ever can he, dependent upon any ono
man Tor ihcir successful progress in the path
of a noble destiny. Having given TO fhoir
welfare whatever Of health and strength
possessed or could borrow from the future
aud having reached the term Of my capacity
Tor such iuhors ns their welfare now donHnds
but submit 10 the Will of God i'm dcctninR my
public career forever closed"
SAMUEL j. TILDEN."