The Mineral argus., 1884-06-26
TIIden's Letter OF nocllnn,inn

chairman Of the Democratic State Committee of
New York; In my letter of June Is. 1880. adj
dressed to the delegates from the state OF New
York TO the Democratic national convention. I
said: .
Having now borne faithfully nv full share
OF amor and care in the public service, and wear
ing ne marks Of its burdens, / desire nothing so
nluch as an honorable discharge. wish to Law
uohh Une honors and tolls of even quasi DartV
leadership, and to seek the repose Of private life.
IN renounclng a denomination for the Dresi-
uency, 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 l believe it is a Remuneration
OF reelection to the presidency. To those who
thIhk my denomination and reelection indis-
pensable to an efectual vindication of the
right Of the people to elect their rulers,
violated IN my person, | have accorded
as long n reserve of my decision as possible: but
l cannot overcome my reDugnance to enter into
q new engagement which involves four years Of
c~easelcEs toll. The dignity of the presidential
ornce Is above a merely personal ambition, but
II creates in me no Illusion. It's value is as a
great power for good to the country. l said four
years ago, IN accepting the nomination: Know
ing as do, therefore, from fresh experience,
now great the difference is between gliding
through an official routine and working out a re
form Of systems and policies, it is impossible
for me TO contemplate what needs to be done in
the federal administration without an anxious
thought of the difficulties of the undertaking.
Ii summoned by the suffrages Of my countrymen
Gods help, to be the efficient instrument of
their viii. Such a work of renovation. after
many years Of misrule, such a reform of systems
and policies, to which / would checrfuliy have
sacrificed all that remained to me of health and
life, Is now, l fear, beyond my strength"
FORMER REASONS EMPHASIZED.
My purpose to withdraw from further public
service ana the grounds OF 1t, were at that time
well known to you and others; and when at Gin
ctnnatt, though respecting my wishes yourself,
you communicated to me an appeal from many
valued friends, to relinquish that purpose, l re-
iteratcd my determination unconditionallv. In
tine Tour years which have since elapsed nothing
has occurred to weaken, but everything to
strengthen, the considerations which induced
my withdrawal from public life. To all who
have addressed me on the subject, nv intention
has been frankly communicated. Several of my
most confidential friends, under the sanction OF
their own names, have publicly stated my deter
minattOn to be irrevOcable. That have occa-
sion now to consider the question is an event for
wnlch L nave no responsibility. The appeal
made TO me by the Democratic masses, with ap-
parent unanimity, to serve them once more, is
entitled to the most deferential consideration
desired of me il il were consistent with my
Judgment Of duty. / believe there is no in
strumentality in human society so potential in
its influence upon mankind for good or evil as
the governmental machinery for administering
Justice and for making and executing laws. Not
all the eleemOsynary institutions of private
benevolence to which philanthropists may de-
vote their lives are so fruitful in benefits as the
rescue and preservation of this machinery from
the perversiOns that make il the instrument of
CONSPIRACY, FRAUD AND CRIME
against the most sacred rights and interests of
Uhe people. FOR nfty years as a private citizen,
never contemplating an official career, / have
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 a brief period for q special
purpose, and only when tn occasion seemed to
from me that sacrifice of private prefer
ences 20 the public welfare. l undertook the
state administration of New York because it
supposed that in that way only could the
executive power be arrayed on the side of the
TeIOTmg to which as n nTIV1fp pifiznp I ho1 rfvat,
three years Off life. I accepted the nominal
ton for the presidency in 1876 because of the
conviction that my candidacy would
best present the issue OF reform which the Dem
)cratic 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. | be-
ieved that l had strength enough then to reno
1ate the administration of the government of the
United States and at the close of my
) successor faithful to the same policy. Though
anxious 20 seek the repose of private life, 1
acted upon the idea that every
is a trust and involves a duty. In reply
% the address of the committee communicating
ny nomination | depicted the difficulties of the
Undertaking and likened my feelings in engaging
n it to those of a soldier entering battle: but i
lid not withhold the entire conservation Of my
powers to the public service. Twenty years Of
CONTINUOUS INSTRUMENTATION,
lnder the demoralizing influences of intestine
var and bad finance, have infested the whole
governmental system of the United States with
he cancerous growth of false construction and
'orrupt practices. Powerful classes have ac-
luired pecuniary interests in official
buses, and the moral standards of the
have been impaired. To redress these
wis Is a work of great difficulty and labor, {
nd cannot be accomplished without the most /
Energetic and efficient personal action on the
OF the chief executive of the republic. The
,anvass and administration which it is desired
hat | should undertake would embrace a period
nearly five years. Nor can l admit any illu-
ion as to their burdens. Three years of expert
nee in the endeavor to reform the municipal i,
'overnment of the city of New York, and two
ears of experience in renovating the adminis-
ration of the state of New York, have made me
am1llar with the requirements of such a work. /.
t the present time the considerations which
lduced my action in 1880 have become impera-
l ought not to assume a task which / have =
ot the physical strength TO carry through. To
eform the administration of the federal govern
lent, to
REALIZE MY OWN IDEAL,
nd 30 fulfill the just expectations OF the people,
lOuld indeed warrant, as they could alone com
the sacrifices which the undertaking
'ould involve. But in my condition of advance
lg years and decreasing strength, 1 feel no as
urance OF my ability to accomplish those OBJ
ects. | am therefore constrained to say def
itely that | cannot now assume the labors OF
n administration or of a canvass. Undervalu-
az in no wise that best gift of heaven-the oc-
aston and the power sometimes bestowed upon
mere individual to communicate an impulse
Or gOOd-grateful beyond all words to my fellow
who would assign such a beneficent
lnction to me. / am consOled by the reflection
hat neither the Democratic party nor the repub-
C for whose future that party is the best guar
ntee, is now, or ever can be, dependent upon
ny one man for their successful progress in the
of a noble destiny. Having given to their
'elfare whatever of health and strength ]
or could borrow from the future, and
aving reached the term of my capacity for such
lbors as their welfare now demands, / but sub
lit to the will of God in deeming my public
areer forever closed. |,
[Signedj SAMUEL J. TILDEN.
Eighty-one bills granting or increasing pen
yons to certain persons were passed by the
ouse Friday. Of these, seventy-four were