Madison times. (Tallulah, Madison Parish, La.) 1884-1???, 1884-06-14

way only could the eXecuiILr Ln.,I... -
arranged on the. side Of the reforms 10
which, az a privatecitizen, had gwen
three years Of my life. ! accepted the
nomination for the presidency in 1886
because Of general conviction that my
candidacy would best present the
issue of reform which the Demo
cratic majority of people desired TO
have worked out in the Federal
Government as it had been in that Of
the State of New York. | believed that
had strength enough then to renovate
the administration of the Government
of the United States, and At the close OF
my term to hand over the great trust to
a successor faithful TO the same policy.
Though anxious to receive the rcpOse
ofpriyate life, nevertheless acted upon
the idea that every power is trust and
involves duty. In reply 70 the address
Of the committee communicating my
nomination depicted the difficulties Of
the undertaking, and likened my feel
ings in engaging in il to those of a sol
der entering battle, but did not with
hold the entire conservation OF my pow
ers to the public service. Twenty years
of continuous maladministration under
the demoralizing influences Of intestine
war and of bad finance have infected
the whole government system Of the
United States with cancerous grOwths
Of false constructions and corrupt prac-
tees. Powerful classes have acquired
pecuniaryinterestsi 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 he 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 il is desired
that should undertake would embrace
a period Of nearly five years. Three
years of experience in the endesvor TO
reform the municipal government Of the
city of New York and two years Of OK
perience in renovating the administra-
ton of the State of New York have
made me familiar with the requirements
Of such work. At the present time the
consideration which induced my action
in 1890 have become imperative. onght
| not to assume the task which have not
the physical strength to carry through.
| To reform the administration Of the fed
ersl government; to realize my own idea
and to fulfil the just expectations ofthe
people would indeed warrant, as they
could alone compensate, the sacrifices
which the undertaking wOuldinvolve;
but in my condition Of advancing years
and declining strength l feel no assur.
ance of my ability to accomplish these
objects. am, therefore, constrained
to say definitely that cannot now a.
sumo the labors Of an administration or
of canvass, undertaking in no wise
that the best gift of heaven. occasion
and power is sometimes bestowed upon
q mere individual, 10 communicate an
impulse for good. Grateful beyond all
words TO my fellow-countrymen who
would assign such a benefcient function
to me, l am cOnsoled by the reflection
that neither the Democratic party nor
Republican, for whose future tina, party
is the best guarantee, is now or ever can
be dependent upon any one man fol
their. suscessfutTfosress in the path OF
noble destiny. Having given to Their
welfare whatever of health and strength
possessed or could borrow from tn,
future, and having reached the term o.
my capacity for such labors, as theil
welfare now demands, but submit &c
the will of God in deeming my public
career forever closed.
i (Signedl SAMUEL j. TILDEN.
Il