Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1884-06-12
MIR. TILDEN'S LETTER OF WITH,
DRAWAI,
NEW YORK, juno 10, 1884.

ed to inc QelcsaIeS from inc Slttie Oh NC"
York to the Democratic National Conven-
ton, said:
"iHaving now borne faithfully my full
share of labor and care in the public service,
and wearing the marks Of its burdens, de-
sire nothing so much as an honorable dis
charge wish to lay down the honors and
tolls of even quasi party leadership, and to
seek the repose Of quiet life.
"In reuouncing, denomination for the
Presidency, DO so with no doubt in my
mind as to the vote of the State of New
York. or Of The United States, but because l.
believe that il is a remuneration of re. election
to the Presidency.
""ro those who think my denomination
and re election Indispensable to I'm cilcclual
vindication Of the right Of the people La elect
their rlllers-violalcd in my person l have
accorded rs long reserve Of my decision rs
possiblc, but cannot overcome my repl%-
nance To enter into y new engagement
which involves four years Of ccasecSS toll.
The dignity of the Presidential office is
above y merely personal ambition, but IL
creates in me no illusion. lis value Is as Il
Great power for good 10 the country. lsald
four Years ago in accepting nomination:
Known" as do therefore. rom fresh cX-
u.r;rncr. how great The difference is be-
:wccr gliding through an official routine
and working out n reform OF system anu
| policies. ii is impossible for me To contein-
plate " hat needs 10 he Goun in the federal
administration without an AMIGOS sense OF
the difficulties Of me undertaking. II sum
moucd 10y :ha su!lrageS OF my conn,rNHirn
to attempt this work, shall rndraTor. with
Cod help. 10 be the efficient Instrument ct
their will. Such y workrof renovation,
I = Il,
| form Of systems Hnd policies. to which
| would ciceriuly have sacrificed all that re-
maiuc,i TO me Of heath ind life, is now
! fear beyond my strength.
"Mv purpose to Withdraw from further
| public service, and The grounds OF ii, were
az that, time we'll known 10 you and to
Others; and when, at Cincinnati, though
| respecting my wishes yourself, you conmu-
nicatcd 10 me al appeal from many valued
friends to >clinquish that purpose reiter-
| atrd nv determination uncont!itonaliy.
"In the four years which have since
Elapsed nothing has occurred 10 weaken
bat everything 10 strengthen, The consider
atoms which induced my withdrawal from
| public life TO all who have addressed me
| un the subject my intention has been frankly
| communicated. Several Of my most conf
dental friends, under the sanction Of their
own names, have publicly stated my deter.
| minaion to be irrcvocabIe. That | have
occasion now 10 consider the question is an
event for which llayc no responsibility.
The appeal made TO me by the democratic
masses, with apparent unanmity, 10 serve
| them once more, IS entitled TO the most
| defcreptial consideration, and would inspire
Il disposition 10 do anything desired of me.
| if it were consistent with my Judgment Of
duty.
II believe that there is no instrumcntality
! in human society so potential in lis inllu-
| ence upon mankind for good or evil as the
governmental machinery. For administer
| ING Justice and FOR making aii:! aXeclitin.
| laws, not all Inc ::iccmosynary institutions
| OF priva;a beneyOicncc 10 which lhianthro-
| psts may dcvote thei.livcs are so fruitful
| in bcllctitA ns tho rescue, and preservation
\ Of this nrichincry from the pervcrsions that
I make il he instrument Of conspiracy, fraud
and crime against the most sacred rights
aud interests Of The people.
| For tiiiy years as Il private citizen, nGv-
| cr contemplating an Official career, | have
devoted at least rs much thought and effort
| To the duty OF influencing Alright the action
of the governmental institutions Of my
country as 10 all other Objects | have new
! or accepted official service, except for n
| brief period, for - special purpose, and only
when the occasion seemed TO require from
INC that sacrifice Of private preferences TO
! the public welfare.
81 undertook the State, administration Of
| New York because it was supposed that in
that way only could the executive power
be nrrayed on the side OF the reforms to
which as private citizen, had given three
years Of my life.
4 I,n f., Al,
lency in 1876 because Of the general con.
sent The issue of reform which the demo
cratic majority Of the people desired to
have work ed out in the federal government
rs it had been in that of the State of New
York. | believed that [ had strength
enough then to rcnovatc the administration
of the government Of the United States,
and at the close OF my term 10 hand over
my great trust to a Successor faithful To the
same policy. Though anxious to seek the
rcpose of private life, nevertheless acted
upon the idea that every power is II trust
and involves Il duty. In reply to the adj
dress Of The committee communicating my
nomination, | depicted. the difficulties of
the undertaking, and iikened my feelings
in engaging in it Ia those Of IA soldier enter
ing battle, but did not withhold the en-
tire conservation of my powers 10 The public
service.
Twenty years Of continued maladminis-
tration, under the GcmGrai!Zing Influences
of intestine war and OF had finance, have
infected the whole government system of
the United States with The capccrous growth
OF false constructions End corrupt practices
Powerful classes have acquired neCuniary
interests in oliiciai abuses. aud The moral
standards Of The people have been impaired
To redress lEesc evils Is II work OF great
difficulty and labor, and cannot DC accom-
plishcd without, the most energetic and eff
iicient personal action on The part of the
chief executive i.thc republic.
The canvass aud administration which
is desired that | should undertake would ems
brace period Of nearly five years. Nor
can l admit any illusion $50 their burdens.
Thee years OF experience in the endeavor
10 reform the municipal government of the
city Of New York, and two years Of cxpe-
riencc in rennvating the administration of