The Portland daily press., 1884-06-12
SAMUEL j. TILDEN.
His Letter Concerning the Presi-
Dental Nomination.
HE DECLARES HIS PUBLIC CA
REER FOREVER ENDED.

NEW YORK, June 1.-THE following letter is
selfexplanatory:
NEW YORK, June 10, 1884
10 Daniel Manning, Chairman of the Democratic
State Committee, Ne,c York.
In my letter of June 1880, addressed to the del
egates from the State of New York to the Demo
cratic National Convention, said:
Having now borne faithfully my full share of
labor and care in the public service and wearing the
an honorable discharge. / wish to Law down the
honors and tolls of quasi part leadership and
seek the repose OF purile lie. In renouncing
nomination for the presidency do SO with no doubt
In my mind as to the vote Of the State or
OF the United States, but because 1 believe
1t is remuneration Of reelection to the presi-
dency. 10 those who think my denomination and
reelecton indispensable to the eectual yindicaton
OF the right of the people to elect their rulers VIC
lated m my person, have accorded as long re-
serve OF my decision as possible but cannot over
come my repugnanee to enter into a new engage
ment which involves four years OF ceaseless toll
me 1lgnlty OF the presidential Office is above
merely personal ambition, but it creates in me no
illusion. lts value Is great power for good to
inc country said four years ago in accepting the
fresh experience how great the difference is between
gliding through official routine and working ont q
reform OF systems and politics. it is impossible for
me 70 contemplate what needs to be done ia federal
ADMINISTRATION without anxious sense of the diff
culties OF the undertaking. If summoned by the suf
shall endeavor with Gods help to be an ecient in
strument of their will" Such work of RENOVATION
after many years Of misrule such reform of systems
and policies 70 which would cheerfully have sac
rced all that remained to of health and life is
now, fear. beyond my strength.
My purpose to withdraw from further public SER
vice and the grounds Of 1t were at that time well
known to you and others, and when at Cincinnati
though respecting my wishes yourself you COM
municated to me an appeal from many valued
friends to relinqush that purpose, reiterated my
determination Internationally. Iii the four years
which have elapsed, nothing has occurred to
weaken put everything to strengthen the consider
life. To all who have addressed me on the subject
my intention has been frankly communicated
Several of my most confidential friends under the
sanction of their own names have publicly stated
my determination TO be irreversible That have
occasion now to consider the question is event
for which II have no responsibility. The appeal
made to me by the Democratic masses, with ap-
parent unanmity to serve them once more is en-
titled to the most deferentlal consideration, and
would inspire disposition to DO anything desired
of me II consistent with my Judgment of duty.
For fifty years as private citizen never con-
templatiDg an official career have devoted as
much thought and effort to the duty of influencing
right action of tho governmental institutions Of
the country as to all other objects. have never
and for special purpose, and only when the oc-
casion seemed to require from me- that sacrifice of
private preferences TO the public welfare.
undertook the State administration of New
York. as it was supposed in that way only could the
executive power be arrayed on the side of reforms
to which, as a private citizen, 1 had given three
years of my life accepted the nomination for the
PreSidencytn 1876, because of the general eonyic-
ton that my candidacy would best present the is
sue of reform which the Democratic majority of
the people desired to have worked out in the feer
al government 1t had been in that of the State of
New York. believed had strength enough then
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 the re-
pose of private life, nevertheless acted upon the
idea that every power is trust and involves duty
In reply to the address of the committee commune
eating my nomination, depicted the difficulties of
ing in it to those OF soldier entering battle, but
did not withhold the entire conservation OF my pow
or to the public service Twenty years of continu-
Gus administration under the demoralizing infiu-
ences of intestine war, and of bad finance have
infected the whole governmental system Of the
United States with a cancerous growth of false
constructions and corrupt practices. A powerful
class 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 accom-
plished without most energetic and efficient action
on the part of the Chief Executive of the republic
and the canvass and administration which it is de-
sired should undertake would embrace period of
nearly five years. Nor can admit any illusion as
endeavors to reform the municipal government Of
the city of New York, and two years of experience
in renoyating the administration of the State of
New York have made me familiar with the require
ments OF such work at the present time.
The considerations which induced my action in
1880 have become imperative. 4 ought not to
strength to carry through. To reform the admins
tration of the federal governments SO as 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 under
taking would involve. But in my condition of ad-
vancing years and declining strength, feel no
assurance Of my ability to accomplish those objects.
am therefore constrained to say detinitiyey that
1 cannot now assume tho labors of the admiuistra-
ton or the canvass.
Undertaking. in nowise that best gift of heaven.
the location and power sometimes bestowed upon
more individual to communicate an impulse for
good grateful beyond all words to my fellow coun-
trytnen who would assign such benefeent function
to me, am consoled by the reflection that neither
the Democratic party nor the Republican public,
for whose future thar party is the best guarantee is
now, or ever can be, dependent upon any one man
for successful progress in the path of noble des-
tiny. Having given to their welfare whatever of
health and strength possessed or could borrow
from the future and having ched the term of my
capacity for sucn labors their welfare now de-
mands, but submit to the will of God in deemipg
my public career forever closed"
SAMUEL j. TILDEN.