The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1884-06-12
HIS PUBLIC CAREER CLOSED.
AN OPEN LETTER IRON TILDEN

/ TTestufucy-hdvuucsnB D'Siu-
Ing strength His Only Motive for 30 Doing.
IBy telegraph to the Dispatch.I
NEW YORK, June 1.-THE following pa
per from Samuel J. Tilden has been given
the Associated Press:
NEW YORK, June 10, 1894.
| Daniel M1nning. Chairman Of the Demo
cratic State Committee Of Nen York:
In my letter OF June IS, 1880, addressed
to the delegates from the State OF New York
to the Democratic National Convention,
said 1: Having now borne faithfully my
fun share OF labor and care in the public SER
vice. and wearing the marks oil its burdens,
desire nothing so much as an honorable
| discharge. wish TO lay down the honors
and tolls OF ever quasi party leadership
and to seek the repose Of private lie. In
renouncing the denomination for the pre-
.idency / 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 believe
that It is a remuneration OF reelection to the
presidency. To those who think my re-
nomination and reelection indispensable to
an effectual vindication OF the right OF the
people ~ elect their rulers. violated in my
person, have accorded as long reserve OF
nv decision as possible; but cannot over
come my repugnance TO enter iutOa new
engagement which involves four years OF
ceaseIess toll.
THE DIGNITY OF THE PRESIDENTIAL OFFICE
| is above merely personal ambition. but 1t
creates in me no Illusion. Its value Is as
q great power for good to the country, |
said four years ago in accepting the nomi-
nation. Knowing as / do, therefore, from
fresh experience, bow great the difference
is between gliding through an official rou-
tine and working out reform OF systems
and policies, IL Is impossible for me to
contemplate what needs to be done
in Federal administration without an
anxious sense OF the difficulties OF
the undertaking. II summoned by the
suff'rages OF my countrymen TO attempt
this work I shall endeavor with Gods
help to be the efficient instrument
OF their will" Such work. OF renovation
after many years OF misrule; such reform
of systems and policies to which l would
cheerfuly have sacrificed all that remained
TO me OF health and life is now, fear, be-
yond my strength. My purpose to with
draw from further public service, and the
grounds OF it were at that time well known
TO YOU and to others. and when at Cincin-
natl. though respecting my wishes your
self, YOU communicated to me an appeal
from many valued friends to relinquish
that purpose. reiterated my determine
ton Internationally. In the four years
which have since elapsed nothing has
occurred to weaken, but everything to
strengthen, the considerations which in
duced nv withdrawal from public life.
To all who have addressed me on the sub
ject nv intention has been frankly commu.
ncated. Several OF my most confidential
friends, under sanction Of their own names,
have publicly stated my
DETERMINATION TO BE IRREvERs1BLE.
That | have occasion now to consider the
question is an event for which | have no
responsibility. The appeal made to me by
the Democratic masses with apparent una
nimity to serve them once more is entitled
10 the most deferential consideration, and
would inspire q disposition to do any
thing desired Of me If 1t were consistent
with my judgement Of duty. l believe
that there is no instrumentality in human
society so potential in its influence upon
mankind for good or evil as the govern
mental machinery for administering JUS
tice and for making and executing laws.
Not all the elemosynary institutions or
private benevolence to which philanthro-
Dists NAV devote their lives are so fruitful
in benefits as the rescue and preservation
of this machinery from perversi0ns that
make 1t the instrument OF conspiracy.
fraud, and crime against the most sacred
rights and interests OF tne people.
For fifty years as private citizen,
never contemplating an official Ca
reer, have devoted at least as much
thought and effoIt to the duty OF influ-
encing Alright the action OF the govern
mental institutions OF my country as to all
other objects. / have never accepted Of
fetal service except for brief period for
special purpose, and only when the oc-
casion seemed to require from me that sac
rifice OF private preference to public well
fare. | undertook the State administra-
ton of New York because it was supposed
that in that way only could the executive
power be
ARRAYED ON THE SIDE or REFORMS,
TO which, as a private citizen, 1 had given
three wears Of my life. L accepted the
nomination for the presidency in 1876 be-
cause OF the general conviction that my
candidacy would best present 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. believed
that | had strength enough then to reno
yate the administration OF the Gov
eminent OF the United States, and at
the close OF my term to hand over
the great trust TO a successor faith
full to the same policy. Tho"gh anxious
10 seek the repose OF private life, l never
tbeless acted upon the idea that every
power is a trust and involves duty. In
reply TO the address OF the committee COM
mlnicating my nomination, | depicted the
difficulties OF the undertaking, and likened
nv feelings in engaging in it to those Of
the soldier entering battle; but l did not
withhold the entire conservation OF my
powers to the public service.
TWENTY YEARS OF CONTINUOUS MALADNIN-
IsTRATION,
under the demOraliZing influences OF in
testine war and OF bad finance, have in
fected the whole Government system OF
the United States with generous growths,
false constructions, and corrupt practices.
| The powerful classes have acquired pecu-
MARY interests in official abuses, and the
general standards OF the people have been
| jmpaired. To redress these evils is work
Of great difficulty and labor. and cannot be
accomplished without the most energetic
and efficient and personal action on the
part OF the Chief Executive OF the repub-
| lie. The canvass and administration which
| II is desired that | should undertake
would embrace period OF nearly five
wears; nor can | admit any illusion
as to their burdens. Three years OF expe-
rience in the endeayor to reform the NUM-
cipal government OF the city OF New York
and two years OF experience in renoyating
the administration OF the State OF New
York have made me familiar with the re-
uuirements of such a work. AT the pres