Fort Worth daily gazette. (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1882-1891, 1884-06-13
A Positive Declaration.

When Mr.. Tilden's letter to the
Democratic convention at Cincinnati
in 1850 was published, men who were
accustomed to deal with the utter
ances of politicians as skillful con-
cealments of some unuttered purpose
began to search for the hidden mean
ing Of this man. They agreed at last
that his letter was written to give him
a chance to call up and portray in
vivid language the iniquity of the
presidential steal of 1915, and arouse
enthusiasm in his behalf to such
pitch as to cause the Democrats to
force the nomination on him, which
he would then make n show of receiv-
ing under protest. The men who took
this view of Mr.. Tilden's action were
men who, with Talleyrand, regard
language as "a means of concealing
thought In their minds, nothing
was further from MI. Tilden than a
declination of the presidency, though
he earnestly avowed his inability to
accept the nomination, and they were
merry at the thought of the way they
took Tilden at his word" and gave
the nomination to another.
1t was not long, however, until the
opinion began to prevail that these
smart men had overcome themselves,
and that Mr.. Tilden really meant all
that was said in his letter, and no
more. Intimate and confidential
friends repeated, by authority, his
determination never again to engage
in active political life, even for the
great prize of the presidency. But
against these assurances from him the
voice of the country pleaded. AS the
time grew near for the choice of a
Democratic candidate for president,
eyes were turned hopefully toward the
man who had once led the party to
victory, and the feeling went abroad
that he could not resist unanimous
demand from the Democracy to again
become their captain and lead them to
victory. Governed by this feeling, at
best the outgrowth of a hope that it
might be true, state after state in
quick succession declared for Tilden,
and the increasing list of votes for him
confirmed the impression that there
would be no opposition to him in the
national convention. If ever man
had the assurance of nomination to
the presidency before it was actually
rendered him, that man was Samuel
j. Tilden. Now he is again forced to
speak, and his words repeat what he
, said four years ago at Cincinnati, that
he cannot accept the nomination. His
letter will not bear misinterpretation
now. There was no motive to bid for
|, the nomination by this method. II
, was already in his grasp. He had but
l to take it. He must now be taken al
l his word, and thought of no more as al
9 active leader in the battle against the
Republican party and misgovernment
His remuneration is complete, IRE
vocable, final. The most that he car
e do now is to advise the party out of hi.
> vast experience and skill.
g Whether as leader in the field OF
IS counselor in the cabinet-as the vic
It torious leader of great party or tn,
J. sage in contemplative retirement, the
If character of the man who thus volunta
> rily takes his leave of political ambition
e will remain impressed upon the his
e tory of the age as one of the profound
rs est statesmen and most astute poll
J. ticians that this country has ever pro
~, duced.