The Douglas independent. [volume] (Roseburg, Or.) 187?-1885, 1884-06-28

Tilden's letter to the Democratic State
committee OF New York, declining the
nomination for president. We publish
this letter at the present time, hoping
that every citizen may read and ponder
well the principles enunciated by this
grand old patriotic statesman, w1o
holds the good of the country above all
personal considerations:
New York, June 10, 1884.
To Daniel Manning. chairman of the
Democratic State committee, New
York: In my letter of Juno Is, 1880,
addressed to the delegates from the
State of New York to the Democratic
national convention, said: "Having
now borne faithfully my full share of
labor and care in the public service,
and wearing marks of its burdens, de-
sire nothing SO much as an honorable
discharge. I wish to lay down the
hanors and tolls Of even quasi-party
leadership and to seek the repose Of
private life. In renouncing the renom-
ination for the presidency I do so with
no doubt in my mind as to the vote of
the State ef New York or of the
United States, but because / believe it
is renunciation of re election to the
presidency. TO those who think my
denomination and reelection indispens-
able to an effectual yindicayion of the
right of the people to elect their rulers
violated in my person. have ac-
corded as long a reserve Of my decis-
ion as possible. but csnnot overcome
my repugnance to enter into new en-
gagement, which involves four years Of
ceaseless toll. The dignity of the pres
idential Office is above merely personal
ambition, but it creates in me no illu-
sion. It's value is as great power fer
good to the country. | sad four years
ago, in accepting the nomination:
knowing as I do, therefore, from fresh
experience, how great the difference is
between gliding through an official
routine and working out reform of
systems and policies, it is impossible for
me 10 contemplate what needs to be
done iii the federal administration with
out an anxious sense of the difficulties
Of the undertaking. II summoned by
the suffrages of my countrymen TO at
tempt this work, l shall endeavor, with
Gods help, to be the efficient instru-
ment Of their will. Such work Of
renovation, after years of misrule; such
a reform of systems and policies, to
which / would cheerfully: have sacri-
feed all that remained to me of health
and life, is now, l fear, beyond nv
strength
My purpose was to withdraw fren1
further public service, and the grounds
of it were at that time well known te
you and others, and when, at Clncin-
natl, though respecting my wishes your
selves, you communicated an appeal to
me from many valued friends to relin-
qu;sh that purpose, I reiterated my
determination unconditionally. In tht
four years which have since elapsed
nothing has occurred to weaken, bu
everything to strengthen, the consider
alton which induced my Withdrawal
from public llfe To all who have ad-
dressed me on the subject my intention
has been frankly communicated. Sew
eral of my most confidential friends
under the sanction Of their own names
have publicly stated my determination
to be irreyocable.
That have OCCASION now to conside
the question is an event for which
have no responsibility. The appea
made to me by the Democratic masses
with apparent unani,nity, to serve then
once more is entitled to the most def
erential consideration and would in.
spire disposition to do anything de-
sired of me, If it were consistent witt
my judgment of duty. / believe tha
there is no instrumentality in human
society so potential in its influence
upon mankind for good or evil as th
governmental machinery for admins
tering Justice and for making and exc
cutting the laws. Not all the eleemo
synary institutions of private benevo-
lence to which philanthropists may de
vote their lives, ale SO fruitful IN ben
eGts As the rescue and preservation o
this machinery from the perversion
that make it the instrument of con
spiracy, fraud and crime against th
most sacred rights and interests of tn
people.
For fifty years, as private citizen
never contemplating an official career
have devoted at least as much though
and effort to the duty of inauencin
Alright the action of the governments