The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1884-03-20
NOT A CANDIDATE.

in Gramercy Park, gives the following as
the result of his interview:
Imagine my surprise then on hearing
the footsteps on the hallway, to see as l
turned, Mr.. Tilden himself advancing
towards me. True, his step was not
characterized with the easy movements
of one in his prime of years. Nor on
the other hand did it strike me as being
more feeble than could be expected from
one who had turned his three.score years
aud ten. The nervous prostration which
q life of exertion had caused, showed
itself in the tremor of his hand, but his
eyes, the windows of his brain, were far
more clear and steady than those of nine
tenths of the men who have as yet but
turned their sixtys. He wore a plain
cloth suit, his collar fitted closely around
his neck, his hair was brushed back from
his forehead, and as he leaned towards
me with
"You come to see me from the Consti.
tution 2" felt as replied in the affir-
native, when saw his calm and steady
glance, that the magnitude of the mind
before me overahadowed even the frail
body which held it. -
The, report of his brother Henry's
death at New Lebanon had reached him
but this morning, and though his voice
was scarcely above a whisper, yet 1t
carried with it the emotion which filled
his soul. He spoke tenderly of his broth
er, and though his death had been e1-
pected. vet It shocked him. / sat near
him as he spoke, that might catch MS
words, for his utterance was feeble and
scarcely audible at a short distance,
through some trouble with his throat.
But the comparatively strong man whom
sat before had agreeably surprised me
in that he moved with ease, certainly
portrayipg not the characteristics OF q
confirmed invalid. His conversation was
quick and he seemed to take much inter-
est in subjects of which he spoke.
"No. I am not 80 bad as / have been
pictured" said he, in reply to my express
sion of surprise as to his health. ~ am
feeble and prostrated from life OF exer-
ton, but my doctors are positive that my
vital organs are perfectly sound. Oh,
no, I am being made far worse than l
really am" ;, ;,
I touched politics incidentally, and
told him of the strong sentiment in the
South for his denomination. 1t was
almost humorous as he leaned to me
and smiIngly said: eve are all against
the old ticket in this house"
5. ttBut the general verdict of the party
now seems to point to the certainty OF its
denomination at Chicago9 2"
t'Yes, and I appreciate it, but /! will
not allow the use of my name. i know
that I reformed the politics ofNew York
ten wears ago. / was more able then
than now. It would be herculean task
to! undertake to reform now the matters
of the general government. After tYen-
tv wears Of misrule and mismanagement,
corruption has become fixed, and the
most vigorous efforts will BE necessary to
eradicate it. I don't feel my condition
would allow me to cope with it. In my
letter few years ago, l stated why l
would not allow the use of my name. 1t
was discredited. The same reasons l
now urge. They have become stronger,
for am four years older, and am more
infirm now than then. I would urge
that the idea be discontinued, for 1t IS
not right that ! should undertake to DO
that which I am practically unable to
do"
.sWhom, then, do you consider the
most available man for the Democrats Z"
He slowly shook his head as he replied !:
"Well. I don't know. Hoadly is good
man. His strength in the Western
States would add much to his chances OF
success, With the German vote he is
yery popular, and he would prove gener.
ally acceptable. Payne would be strong,
and could make splendid race"
Sand Randall ?"
can admirable man, and one who
would serve his party and country faith
fully"
! "Where in your opinion will the Re.
publican nomination be placed"
"On Blaine or Arthur, | suppose.
"What, governor, do you think will or
should be the leading issue OF the democ.
racy?" =,
'Reiorm," be replied, "reform should
be the issue. After misrule of ~ years
the people will stand by it. The party
has it in its own hands if it will but take
advantage Of it."
HAnd if you are considered to be the
one to save it., you could not resist its
CALL"
"I should have to. I have served it
faithfully until am now unable to un.
dergo the exertions which, in case OF
election, should have to make. 1t can
be done without me. / could not stand
the physical effort. I would not disap.
point my party. My name must not be
considered"
This was said with positive 6rmness,
and as he concluded with comment on
the love of his party and his devotion TO
it's principles, was more than ever con.
vinced Of his grandeur as a statesman.
Yea, he seemed patriot to me, as he
slowly arose, and raising his voice above
the whisper in which he had spoken, re-
peated:
IT could not stand the physical effort.
would not disappoint my party"
His conversation then became general,
and but one more political topic was
touched, and that in reference to the
electoral commission. In reply to some
question concerning it, he said:
eyes, supported it. l was in favor
of it: but it's act was one of great wrong
and injustice. I know the people sym
pathize with me, but it is too late. 1t is
past, and is wrong that can't be right
ed"
He spoke of his house, which was " $
nearing completion, and asked me if
would like to see it. He then showed me
through the spacious rooms of the first
floor himself. He enjoyed it, and seem.
ed to take much pleasure in explaining
the hundreds of little conveniences, or
pointing out the beauty of the workman
ship of some exquisite carvings or handl'
work.