The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1884-06-13
Views of the Press.

CHICAGO, June Is Press opinion on the
letter Of Mr.. Tilden declining to make the
race for president is abundant and varied.
In this city The Times says The demo-
Gratis OF the country will be grievously dis
appointed and sadly discouraged by the de-
Termination Cf Hon Samuel ]. Tilden not
Ia he their candidate for the presidency.
" hile there are many able men in the party,
1t IS certain that no one of them can possibly
Command the confidence of the country in
the !ull degree it has been held by Mr. Tiiden
aui no other name can awaken the en-
thuslasm that wunld have been evoked by
his. The party has now but a few days
i'll which to consider the situation and
determine what is to be done. The national
convention, which meets less than
month hence, will be largely made up of dele
gates pledged and instructed to vote for Mr.
'rilden. The latter's withdrawal from the
field forces these delegates to decide for whom
their votes will be cast, without the time for
delibeiation and for consulting their consti-
tuents that would have been desirable. 1t is
not extravagant to say that the publication
Of Mr.. Tiiden's letter must very greatly re-
duca the party's chance of success in the
pending canvass.
The Inter Ocean ssays: 1t was known
months ago that Tilden could not and would
not be candidate, and yet as there was
nothing else in the party to enthuse over he
WIS kept in the foreground as a rallying point.
1hs scheme having besn carried far enough
10 suit the Democratic purpose, MIR. Tilden
retires from the field without hint or sug
gestion as to the succession. As all the
Democratic conventions that have been held
have been controlled by the Tildsn sentiment.
Tilden's letter now published is in effect
| taking down of the flag under which
the Democrats of the several states
| formed for the fight. 1t will every
where be depressing to Demo
Ifati aud encouraging to Republicans 1t
| at,Ls the gates OF intrigue in the Demo
| cratic party and spares the Republicans the
| trou,.ie OF making a reconnaissance in force,
| as it he'll the weakness Of the Democratic
| pcsl,io. and the faulty formation of their
/ i!ies.
! TIE Tribune says there is nothing in it
say, tne solitary statement that he is unable
| { ii ~ the ply steal strain of public life,
! al tina t Q iyiegates to the Democratic CON
t,it... are Low at liberty to vote for any
q t. a. candidates for nomination who may
| to.L i efore It,
interviews with citizens show that while
thly -el lore the necessity for Mr.. Tilden's
iori.ioa they consider it final and are
| caI.vdssing tha chances of she other gentle
ius.n mentioned in the race. Most of those
seen favor Bayard. Mayor Harrison does
and says that this letter is one of the most
solemn and affecting papers for purely
IolitCai communication he ever read.
One prominent Democratic citizen said:
THE Democrats are in great danger because
Ben Butler is going to make heroic effort to
capture tine convention. Great pressure will
be brought to bear upon the convention in
his behalf, but do hope his ambition will be
| .quelched. Samuel J. Randall would be a
fine candidate were it not for his protection
tariff policy. The candidate will be taken
from he east, so there would remain Grover
Cleveland, of New York, and Thomas F.
Bayard. of Delaware. The latter, believe,
will prove the stronger man of the two"
In other cities the regret among Demo
cratic papers is general The Courier-J our
ual, of Louisville, says: Let US, then, gather
from these stern and faithful words of our
revered adviser courage to follow the path
he has marked out. Let US take oul
inspiration from his lips, and if not il
his own person, stiiI ln his Uwh party, let u:
condemn the wrong one in 1877, and declare
by majorities which fraud cannot nullify
that the principles OF 1875 must for four year:
at least govern and guide this great nation
A victory such as this will be to the old mar
at Greystone the crowning recompense fol
the years he has unselfishly devoted to the
service Of his country
In St Louis there was much surprise
Most of the papers regard it as an absolute
declination. OF these are The Post Dispatch
Chronicle, Amsrika, and AnEeiger. They
were not particularly favorable 10 Tilden
and regard his declination as the best thing
for the party. The Republican
however, is strong Tildel
paper aud will not hear o.
his withdrawal It says: I'VE construe Gov
Tilden's letter as saying, in fact: Democrats
/ ought not, with all have done, to be re
quired to conduct this canvass / fear mJ
health is not such as viii respond to the re
Quirements of a very active campaign Tha
is about all there is of itn The Republican
interprets the letter to mean that when Gov
Tilden is nominated he will not refuse to b'
the candidate Of the Democracy.
The New York papers accept the letter q
fin al the Democratic ones regretting tn
fact but acquiescing in it. The Times think
it may not be an unixed evil to the D emoc
raey.