Delta chief., 1884-06-25
MR.. TILDEN DECLINES.
His Formal Letter Renouncing any Fur.
ther Political H0nOrs.
HIS PUBLIC CAREER CLOSED.

communication from Samuel J. Tilden has
been given to the Associated press:
To Daniel Manning, Chdirmnn Of the Demo
cratic State Comn,ttee Of Nep fork:-ln my
letter of June 10, 1880, addressed to the dele
gates from the state of New York to the Dem
ocratic national convention, ] said:
Having new borne faithfully my full share
Of labor and care In the public service, and
wearing the marks of its burdens, desire
nothing so much as an honorable discharge !
wish to lay down the honors aud tolls OF even
quasi party leadership and TO seek the repose
OF private life.
I'm renouncing the 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 i believe that
1t is a remuneration of reelection to the presi-
dency.
ITO those who think my denomination and
reelection indispensable to an effectual vindi-
cation of the right of the people to elect their
rulers. violated In my person, have accorded
as long reserve Of my decision MS possible,
but ! cannot overcome my repugpance to enter
into new engagement which involves four
years Of ceaseless toll.
The dignity OF the presidential office Is
above merely personal ambition, and II
creates in me no illusion. Its value Is Its
great power for good to the country"
l said this four year ago. Knowing RS do,
therefore, from fresh experience, how great
the difference Is between going through
official rou,ine and working out form OF sys-
TENS and policies, It is impossible for mt to
| contemplate what needs TO be done In the gen
erai administration without an anxious sense
OF the difficulties OF the undertaking. II sum
moned by the sufIragcs OF my countrymen TO
attempt this work ] should endeavor with
Gods help to be the efficient instrument of
their will. Such work OF renovation Of many
years OF misrule, such reform Of systems and
policies. to which would cheerfuliy have sac
rihced all that remains to me Of health and
life, Is now fear beyond nv strength.
NV Durppsp N Withdraw from furf hcr puhlc
service, and the grounds Of It, were Al thst
time well known To you and others, and when
at Cincinnati, though respecting my wishes
yourself. you communicated to me an appeal
from many valued friends to rclinquish that
purpose, ] reiterated my determination uncon-
ditionAl'y.
In the four years which have since elapsed
nothing has occurred to weaken but every
thing to strengthen the considerations which
induced my withdrawal from public life. To
all who have addressed me on the subject my
intention has been frankly communicated.
Several Of my confidential friends, under the
sanction OF their own names, have publicly
stated my determination to be irrevocable.
That have occasion now 10 consider the
question is an event for which ! have no re
sponsibility. The appeal to me by the Demo
cratic ,ha,s masses with apparent In.nimity TO
deferential consideration and would inspire a
disposition to do anything desired Of me n II
were consistent with my Judgment OF duty.
DeIeNt tncTe Is no lDstfunlcnfnllty IN
man society 40 potential In its influence upon
mankind for good or evil A. the governmental
machinery for administering justice and for
making and executing laws. Not all the
elecmosyrary institutions OF private benevo
lence to which philanthropists may devote
their lives 60 fruitful in benefits as the res.
cue and preservation OF this machinery from
the perversions that make It the instrument
OF conspiracy, fraud and crime against the
most sacred rights and interests OF the people
For nfty "A pYtyafa ,.ft
contemplating an official career, ] have devot,
ed at least as much thought and effort to the
duty OF influencing Alright the action of the
governmental institutions OF my country as
to all other objects. ] have never accepted
official service except for n brief period for a
special purpose, and only when the occasion
seemed to require from me that sacrifice Of
private preferences to the public welfare.
! undertook the state administration Of
New York because It was supposed that In that
way only could the executive power be arr ayed
on the side Of the reforms 10 which, az a priv.
ate citizen, ] had given three years OF my
life. ] accepted the nomination for the
presidency In 1875 because of the general con.
Nciion that my candidacy would best present
the Issue of reform which the Democratic ina.
jority OF the people desired 10 have worked
out In the federal goyernment,. as II had been
In that Of the state OF New York.
believed that ] had strength enough then
to renoyate the administration of the govern.
ment OF the United States, and Mt the close Of
my term 10 hand over the gsent trust TO n sue
cessor faithful to the same policy.
Though anxious TO seek the repose of pri |
yate life nevertheless acted upon the idea
that every power In a trust and involves n
duty In reply TO the address Of the commit |
tee communicating my nomination, I depicted |
the difficulties Of the undertaking and likencd
my feelings In engaging In II to those OF n |
soldier entering battle, but do not withhold |
the entire eonsecration Of my powers to the |
public service.
Twenty years Of continuous maladministra-
tion, under the dcmoralizlng influence Of In. |
testine war and Of bad finances, have infected |
the whole government system OF the United |
States with the cancerous growths Of fal,c |
construction and corrupt practices. Powerful
classes have acquired pccuniary interests In |
ofiicial abuses and the moral standards OF the
people have been impaired
To redress these evils Ia a work Of great dif.
hculty and labor, and cannot be accomplished
without the most energetic and efficient ac-
ton on the part OF the chief executive Of the
republic
The canvas and administration which II IL |
desired that ] should undertake would en-.
brace period Of nearly five years. Nor can
years Of experience. In the endeavor TO reform
the municipal government OF the city Of New
York, and two years OF experience In removal
ing the administration OF the state Of New
York, have made me familiar with the require
ments OF such work.
At the present time, the considerations
which induced my action IN 1880 have become
imperative. ought not assume task which
have not the physical strength to carry
through. To reform the administration OF tho
federal government, to realize my own ideal
and to fulAl the Just expectations OF the pco.
pie would indeed warrant, as they alone could
compensate the sacrifices which the undertak-