The Abilene reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1883-1888, 1884-07-03
Samuel ]. Tillen.

The political career of Samuel J. Til
den is closed. Whatever doubt existed
as to his intentions has been dispelled
by the letter wL;rh he gave TO the pub
lie Yesterday. Further consideration
of his name in connection with the
Presidency would be unwarranted.
Friend and foe alike must recognize his
retirement as inaL and applaud the sin
cerity and frankness with which he has
made his determination known.
He has occupied for many years
commanding and at the same time
peculiar position in American politics.
Never an office-seeker, he became by
the irresistible logic of events Governor
of New York, and three years later, by
the undoubted choice of the people, he
was designated as President. BY what
corrupt bargains and shameless sub
versions of law he was deprived of the
high office to which. in the popular sense
he had been chosen, and his defeated OPP
ponent installed therein, it is not now
necessary to recur. The increased es-
TEEN in which he is held by his country
men. and the unanimity of his party in
the desire that he should once more
lead 1t in National campaign are the
significant proofs of popular indorse-
ment of his course, as extraordinary as
they must be gratifying.
With no vulgar ambition to satisfy,
assured of the rectitude of his purposes
and the patriotism of his acts, not
pulled up with IDEAS of his own superb
ority, and never, as he has so well said,
dwarfing into personal grievance AMI
act which was the greatest wrong that
could be perpetrated against free peo-
pie, he has shown that he could rise
above the partisan clamor which would
have consigned him to the attitude of
a disappointed claimant, and command
respect as a statesman who looked be-
yond his own advancement. He will
be honored for this long after his body
shall have been consigned to earth. and
when the venal conspirators who stifled
the popular voice will be remembered
only in execration.
Mr.. Tildea's influence on politics has
been for good. Not Dem Ocrat in the
sense that thousands of chaTacterlesS
and avaricious men are Democrats, he
was rather a follower of Jefferson,
whose simplicity and honesty in the at
fairs of Government it was his highest
aim to emulate. He won renown IS a
smasher of rings, but the thieves whom
he turned out were Democratic thieves
for the most part. Tammany was Sc
cure and defiant until he led the on
slaught upon it. The canal ring, made
up of Democratic and Republican adven-
turers who annually combined to de-
spoil the people. melted away under the
stern Justice and inhexible virtue of his
administration as Governor. What
would have been the result of his labors
at Washington had the will of the peo-
pie been respected may be easily mag
ined. The developments of the past
four years leave little room for con-
lecture as to how much his services
were needed. There would have been
such turning out of thieves and job
bers as this country has never seen. but
which it must see ere long, if the people
are ever to regain the power to change
their administration at will.
Standing as he does, in a sense, as a
continual reminder of the right of the
people to rule, right violated in his
person, he will be an interesting figure
in America as long as his life is spared.
Fully recognizing his own physical in
firmities, but with a mind unimpaired,
he will be in position to stimulate the
efforts of the large part of his fellow
citizens who care nothing for party, but
to whom the privilege of self-goyern-
ment and the blessings of good govern
ment are priceless. With a body broken,
as all must be, on the memorable rack of
time, his words still ring with the old
fervor and point the way to better
day.--ChicaQO Herald.