The Douglas independent. [volume] (Roseburg, Or.) 187?-1885, 1884-06-28
three years of my life.

three years of my life.
I accepted the nomination for the
presidency in 1876 because Of the gen
eraI conviction that my candidacy
would best present the issue of reform
which the Democratic majority OF the
people wished to have worked out in
| the federal government, as it had been
/ In shat Of the State of New York. I
believed that [ had strength enough
then to renovate the administration of
the government of the United States,
and az the close of my term, to hand
over my great trust to a successor,
faithful to The same policy. Though
anxious to seek the repose Of private
life, | nevertheless acted upon the idea
that every power is a trust and involves
a duty. In reply to the address Of the
.committee communicating my nomina-
ton | depicted the difficulties of the
undertaking and ikened my feelings in
engaging in it to those Of soldier en-
tering battle, but I did not withhold the
entire conservation Of my powers to
public service.
Twenty years Of continuous malad-
ministration, under the demoraliziEg
influences, an internecine war and of
lad finance, have infected the whole
government system Of the United
States with the cancerous growths of
false construction and corrupt practices.
Powerful classes have acquired pecu-
mary interests In official abuses and the
moral standards of the people have be en-
impaired. To redress these evils is a
work of great difficulty and labor and
cannot be accomplished without the
most energetic and efficient personal
action on the part Of the chief exectl-
tive of the republic. The canvass and
administration which it is desired that
[ should undertake would embrace a
period CT nearly five years, nor can I
admit any illusion rs to their burdens.
Three years OF experience in the en-
deavor to reform the municipal govern
ment Of the city Of New York, and two
years Of experience IN renovating the
administration of the State of New
York, have made me familiar with the
requirements of such work.
At the present time the consldera
tions which induced my action in 1880
have become imperative, I ought not
to assume task which I have not the
physical strength to carry through.
To reform the federal government, to
realize my own idea and to fulfill the
Ijust expectations Of tie people would,
indeed, warrant-as they alone could
compensate-the sacrifices which the
undertaking would involve But in
my condition of advancing years and
declining strength, [ feel no assurance
of my ability to accomplish those OBJ
iects. | am, therefore, constrained to
say definitely that I cannot now assume
the labors Of an administration, Or of a
canvass. Undertaking in no wise the
best gilt of heaven, the occasion and the
power sometimes bestowed upon mere
individual to communicate an impulse
tor good, and grateful beyond all words
to my fellow countrymen who would
lassign such benefcent function to me
[ am consoled by the reflection that
neither the Democratic party nor the
republic, for whose future that party is
the best guaranty, is now or ever Gal
be dependent upon any one man, fol
teeir successful progress in the path oI
noble destiny. Having given to theil
welfare whatever Of health and strength
I possessed, or could borrow from the
; future, and having reached the term o.
, my capacity for such labors as theil
welfare now demands, | but submit tc
the will Of Good in deeming my public
career forever closed.
SAMUEL J. TILDEN.
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!. THE general conference CT the NJ. q