The Evening critic. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1881-1885, 1884-06-12
TILDEN OUT OF THE RACE,
His Letter Positively Declining the
Nomination--A Free and Open Field
for All Other Candidates.

Dc IliuCu bBlticb tuo QueStiOu VI NuhN Boutio-
mans candidacy for tho Presidency. Mr.. TIL. |
den positively reiteratos the determination |
which no declared In 1880 to "renounce 70. |
election TO the Presidency"
"NEw YORK, June 10, 1881.
"7o Ddnid Manning, Chairman of NE Demo.
tcfdttc STATE Committee Of NeU YORK:
"sIR-In my letter OF Juno 10, 1880, al.
dressed TO the delegates from the State OF Now
York TO the Democratic National Convention,
said:
"'Havipg now borne faithfully my full share
or labor and caro- In the public service, and
wearing the marks OF its burdens, l desire
nothing 80 much as an honorable discharge.
wieh TO lay down the honors and tolls OF even
quasi party leadership and to seek the repose
"Tn renouncing denomination for the Presi.
dercy do 30 with no doubt In my mind as TO
the vote OF the State OF New York or the
renunciation OF reelection to the Presidency.
"sro those who think my denomination and
reelection Indispensable TO an enectuei YIN.
rulers-violated In my person. have &C.
| corded as long reserve OF my decision as pos
6ible, but cannot overcome my repugnance
| TO enter into new engagement which involves
| four years OF ceaseless toll.
1.-THE dignity OF the Presidential omce Is
above a merely personal ambition, but II
creates In one no Illusion. Its Value Is as
| great power for good to the country. l said
four years ago in accepting nomination:
sKnowing as 1 do, therefore, from fresh expe
| rlence, how great the difference is between
| gliding through an ofIiclal routine and work.
l
| impossible for mo 10 contemplate what moods
| TO be done In the Federal administration with.
| out an anxious senee OF the difficulties OF tho
undertaking. II summoned by the surrages
| OF my countrymen TO attempt this work, l
shall eDdeavor, with Gods help, to be the ell.
| Client instrument OF their WILL"
"'Such q work OF renovation after many years
| OF misrule, such reform OF systems and poll
cies, TO which I would cheertnlly have sacri;
| feed all that remained to mo OF health and
| life, is now, fear, beyond my strength.
| "My purpose TO Withdraw from further pub.
| lie service and the grounds OF IL wero at that
time well known to you and to others; and
| when ut Cincinnati, though respecting my
wishes yourself, you communicated 70 me an
| appeal from many valued friends TO relin-
| quish that purpose, reiterated my determi.
| nation Internationally.
"In the four years which have since elapsed
nothing has occurred to weaken, but every
thing to strengthen, the considerations which
induced my withdrawal from public life. To
Intention has been frankly communicated.
Several OF my most confidential friends,
under the sanction of their own names, have
publicly stated my determination to be IRE.
versible. That have occasion now to con-
slider the question 10 an event for which
| have no responsibility. The appeal made to
me by the Democratic masses, with apparent
unanimity, TO serve them once more, is en-
titled TO the most deferential consideration,
and would inspire disposition to do any
| thing desired OF me, II It were consistent with
| my judgment OF duty.
~ believe that there Is no instrumentaiity IN
human society 80 potential In Its influence
| upon mankind for good or evi, as tho govern
mental machinery for administering Justice
| and for making and executing laws. Not all
the eleemosynary institutions OF private be-
neyolence to which philanthropists msy de-.
vote their lives are so fruitful In benefits as
| the rescue and preservation Of this ma
| chinery from the perversion that make 1t the
instrument OF conspiracy, fraud and crime
against the most sacred rights and interests OF
"For nifty years, as a private citizen, never
contemplating an onicial career, pave de-
voted az 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
special purpose, and only when the occasion
seemed to require from me that sacrifice of
ii undertook the state administration of
| New York because It was supposed that IN
that way only could the executive power be
arrayed on the side Of the reforms to which,
as private citizen, had given It rec years OF
my life.
in 1876 because OF the general conviction that
reform which the Democratic majority of the
| erai Government as It had been in that of the
. | State Of New York. believe that had strength
= | enough then to renovate the administration OF
the Government OF the United States, aud at til
I | close OF my torn to hand over the great trus
a to a successor faithful to tho same policy
. | Though anxious to seek the reposs OF private
4 | life, nevertheless acted upon tho idea tina
: | every power Is trust and involves duty. II
reply to the address Of the COMMITTEES com ,aG,
( | culties OF the undertaking, and likened m!
q feelings in engaging In 1t to those OF q soldie
n | entering battle, but did not withhold the en-
Z tire conservation of my powers to the public
i service.
IL ton under the demoralizing influences OF In
testine war and OF bad finance have fnfecte
u the whole governmental system OF the Unlte'
d States with the cancerous growtns OF falls
y constructions and corrupt practices. Powerful
l. classes have acquired pecuniary interests Il
!, official abuses, and the moral standards Of tn
o. people have been impaired. To redress thes
\. evils Is a work OF great difficulty and labor
10 and cannot be accomplished without the mos
s energetic and efficient personal action on tn
n "The canvass and administration, which IL
q desired should undertake, would embrace
!. any illusion as to their burdens. Three year
~ OF experience In the endeavor TO reform tn
4, municipal government OF the city OF Ne
~ York, and TWO years OF experience In rem
+ waiting the administration Of the State OF No
% York have made me familiar with the require
8. 1At the present time the considerations whic
y induced my action In 1880 have become IN
III perative. ought not TO assume o task While
A. through. To reform the administration OF Il
ps Federal Government, to realize my own de
K. and fulfill the just expectations OF the peopl
70. | would, indeed, warrant, as they could alor
ID compensate, the sacrifices which the unde
s.. taking would involve. But In my condition
no assurance OF my ability to accomplish tho
"A objects. am, therefore, constrained TO 80
~ | definitely that cannot now assume the laO0
~ | OF an administration or OF O canvass.
~ "Undervaluing In no Wise that best gilt
u | Heaven--the occasion and the power som
~ | times bestowed upon mere Individual
u. communicate an impulse for good; gratef
30 beyond ali words to my fellow-countrym'
'r' who would assign such benehcent functi
to me, am consoled by the reflection Oh
a neither the'Democratic party nor the Repub
for whose future that party Is the best gut
we | antee, Is now, or ever can be- dependent up
In. | any one man for their successful progress
W. the path OF O noble destiny.
II. "aaying given TO their welfare whatever
Il. | health and strength possessed, or could b(
az | row from the future, and having reached I
term OF my capacity for such labors as thu
an | welfare now demands, but submit to the W
W.. OF God In deeming my public career forey
~ | closed. SAMUEL j. TILDEN.'
hi The letter Causes Confusion In Ne
re York.
I'm special dispatch to the Baltimore Sun frt
,p- | New York, says: "Mr. Tilden's determinati
90 not to be candidate has thrown the Den
Gratis OF this city into confusion. They have be
I'M | led TO believe that he would accept the nor
he nation and all the delegates elected to the 81
,r. Convention havo been instructed for hi
he has been considered. Tonight they WI
ec. talking OF Cleveland, Bayard, Payne a
tee | Flower. Cleveland is not popular In Ia
,n. many Hall, although some OF John Keli
los | lieutenants believe that he Is the strong
| candidate who can be named. MOST OF the
- | however, are divided between Bdyard a
'so | Flower. John Kelly Is said to favor Baya
gu Ex.Mayor Cooper and Commissioner Thon
70. SOB, the county Democracy's leaders, regs