Press and daily Dakotaian. (Yankton, Dakota Territory [S.D.]) 1880-1889, 1884-06-12

vote their lives are SO faithful i'll benefits
as the rescue and preservation of the
machinery from the pervers,ons that
make it the instrument Of conspiracy,
fraud and CRIME against the most sacred
rights and interests Of the people. For
fifty years, as private citizen, never
contemplating an official career. have
devoted ut least as much thought and
effort to the duty OF influencing right
action of the government institutions OF
my country as to all other objects.
have never accepted official service
except for brief period for special
purpose. and only when the occasion
seemed to require from me that sacritice
of private preferences to the public wei.
fare. undertook the state administra.
tion Of New York because it was sup
posed that in that way only could the
executive power be arrayed on the side
of the reforms to which, as private citi-
zen, had given three years OF my life.
l accepted the nomination for the presl.
dency in 1876 because of the general con.
victlOn that my candidacy best presented
the issue Of reform which the democratic
majority of the people desired to have
worked out in the federal government as
it had been in that of the state of New
York. l believe that I had strength
enough then to renovate the administra
tion Of the government of the United
States, and at the close of my term tc
hand over the 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 involves q
duty. In reply to the address of the
committee communicating my nomina
ton depicted the difficulties of the un.
dertaking, and likened my feel
ings in engaging in it to those of 9
soldier entering battle. But I die
not withhold the entire consecration oi
my powers to the public service. Twenty
years of continuous mal.administratiol
under the demolalizing influences o
intestine war, and Of bad finance, have
affected tho whole governmental system
in the United States with the cameron.
growtbs of false constructions and cor
rupt practices. Powerful classes hav,
acquired pecuniary interests in officia
abuses, aud the moral OF the standard
of the people has been impaired. II
redress their evils is work of grea
difficulty and labor, and cannot be NC
complished without the most energeti.
and efficient personal action on the par
of the chief executive Of the republic
The canvass and administration
which 1t is desired that 1 shoult
| undertake, would embrace q periot
of five years. Nor can / admi
the illusion as to their burdens
Three years of experience in the en-
deavor to reform the municipal govern
ment of the city of New York, and tw,
years of experience in renovating tht
administration of the state of New York
have made me familiar with the require
ments of such work at the presen
time. The considerations which induced
my action.in 1880 have become impera
tive. I ought not to assume tasl
which I have not the physical strength
| to carry through. True, to reform th,
ment, to realize my own ideas, and tt
fulfill the great expectations of the peo
pie, would indeed warrant, as they conlt
alone compensate, the sacrifices whicl
the undertaking would involve; but il
my condition of advancing years an,
declining strength, I feel no assurancl
of my ability to accomplish thos
objects. I am, therefore, con
strained to say definitely, that
cannot now assume the labors of a.
administration or of canvass. Under
valuing in nowise that best gift Q
heaven, the occasion and the powe
sometimes bestowed upon mere indi
vidual to communicate an impulse TO
good; grateful beyond all words to m.
fellow conntrymen, who would assigl
such q beneficent function to me, an
consoled by the reflection that neithe
the democratic party nor the republicans
for whose futnre that party is the bes
guarantee, is now or ever can be, depen
dent upon any one man for their sue
cessful progress in the path of nobl,
destiny. Having given to their welfare
whatever of health or strength I pos
sessed or could borrow from the future
and having reached the term of my ca
pacity for such labors as their welfar.
now demands, I but submit to the vii
of God in deeming my public career for
ever closed.
(Signed) SAMUEL J. T1IDRN.