The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1884-06-14
FAREW ELL, OLD Tlth TT
Mr.. TlLOeN DECLINES A NOMINATION
His Reasons Set Forth In Lengthy
Document Which Is Given In Full Be
low - MIR. Hendricks Interviewed
with Reference to the Matter.
SOMETHING DECISIVE AT LAST.

communication from Samuel j. Tilden has
beeu given to the Associated press:
NEW YORK, June 10, lss4.-To Daniel Man
ming Chairman of the Democratic state Com
| m,ttee OF New York: In my letter OF June Is,
1870, addressed to the delegates from the State
of New York to the Democratic National Con-
| ventiOn, said:
Having Low borne faithfully my fun share
| of labor and care in the public service, and
| wearing the marks of its burdens | desira
| nothing so much AS an honorable discharge.
! wish TO ay down the honors and tolls OF
even quasi party leadership, and seek The re-
nose of private lite. In renouncing renom-
inatiOn Tor the Presidency, do 50 with no
doubt in my mind as to the vote OF tie state
| of New York, or of the United States but be-
cause believe that II Is IA remuneration OF re-
election to the Presidency. To those who
think my denomination and reelection IN
dispensab o to an elfectual vndicatlon of the
right OF the people to elect their rulers,
| violated in eiy person, | have accorded Az
long reserve of my decision rs possible, but
can not overcome my repugnance TO enter
into new engagement which involves four
years of ceaseless toll. The dignity of the
Presidential office is above merely personal
ambition, but it creates in me no illusion. Its
value Is as IA great power for good to
the country. ] said four years ago in ac-
ceptng the nomination: knowing as do,
| therefore, from fresh experience, how great
the difference is between gliding through AN
official routine and working out a reform or
systems and policies, IL is Impossible for me TO
contemplate what needs to be done in the
Federal Administration without an anxious
sense of the difficulties of the undertaking. If
summoned by the sutfrages of my country-
men TO attempt this work l shall endeavor,
with Gods help, to be the efficient instrument
of their will Such work of renovation, after
many years of misrule, such reform of sys-
aas me
health and life, Is now, fear, beyond my
strength.
lie service, and the grounds of 1t, were at that
time well-known to you and to others. and
when, at Cincinnati, though respecting my
wishes yourself, you ,om , to me an
that purpose, ! reiterated my determination
Internationally. In the four years which
have since elapsed nothing has occurred to
the considera ions which induce my
withdrawal from public life. 70 all who
have addressed me on the subject, my
Several of my most confidential friends, I'M
der the sanction of their own names, have
publicly stated my determination to be ire
slider the question is 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, If 1t were consistent with
my Judgment OF duty. ! believe that
society SO potential in it's intuenc upon man
kind for good or evil as the gOvernm entail
making and executing laws. Not all the
eleemosynary institutions OF private benevO-
lence to which philanthrOpists may devote
their lives are SO fruitful in benefits as the
rescue and preservation of this machinery
from the perversions that make 1t the instru.
ment of conspiracy, fraud and crime against
the % Dss1 For y s Sears Int pT
vate citizen, never contemplating an official
career, ! have devoted at least rs much
thought and effort TO, the duty of influencing
aati N q a N a in sri i'm.
tons of my country as to all other objects. l
have never accepted official service except for
a brief period for Especial purpose, and only
when tne occasion seemed to require from me
that sacrifice of private preferences to the
public welfare. ! undertook the State ad
ministration Of New York because it was
could the executive power be arrayed
as private. citizen, ! had given three
| for the Presidency in 1876 because of the gen.
erai conviction that my candidacy wouldbest
| present the issue of reform which the Demo
worked out in the Federal Government Us 1t
| had been in that of the State of New York. ]
believed that had strength enough then 70
| renOvate the administration Of the Govern
ment of the United States, and at the close OF
my term to hand over the great trust
| to a successor faithful to the same policy.
| life, Incvertheicss acted upon the idea that
| every power - trust, and involves duty.
! In reply 70 the address Of the committee com.
difiicuities Of the undertaking, and hkencd
my feelings in engaging " 20 those q
| soldier enteriug battle, but did not Withhold
pnl,lic service. Twenty years OF continuous
| ma1adInlniStrn1kpu, under the demoraitxkng
indncnces OF intestine war a0dof bod finance,
have injected the whote Goverumsntai sys-
| TEN of the United States with the caDcerous
| erowths Of false cons motions and corrupt
| practices. Powerful classes have acquired
| ,s.>l
moral standards OF the people have been i'm.
paired. To redress these evils is q work of
great difficulty and labor, and can not be &C
oomplished without the most energetic and
chief executive of the Republic. The can
vass and administration which 1t is de-
Nor can / admit any illusion as to
their burden. Three years of experience
IN the endcavor to reform the municipal gov
| years of experience in renovatine the Ad-
ministration of the State Of New York, have
such work. At the present time the consd
erations which induced my action in 1850 have
become imperative. ought not 10 assume a
earry throush 70 np reform @s the
ton of the Federal Government, to
realize my own IDEAL and 10 fultill
the Just i,d exSec @srran, isev people sona
alone compensate, the sacrifices which the
undertaking would involve. But, in my con-
dition of advancing years and declining
strength, feel no assurance OF my ability to
accomplish those objects ] am, therefore.
constrained to say definitely that ] can not
now assume the labors of an Administration
or of Q campaign. Undertaking. in nowise
that best gift of Heaven-the occasion and
the power sometimes bestowed upon
mere Oindividual to communicate an
impulse for good-grateful beyond all
words TO my fellow-countrytnen who would
assign such a bene1cent function to ne,
] 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 can be dependent upon any one
man for their successful progress in the path
of noble destiny. Having given to their wei
| fare whatever of health and strength pos
sessed or could borrow from the future, and
! having reached the term of my capacity for
such labors as their welfare now demands
but submit to the will of God in deening my
public career forever closed.
SAMUEL j. TILDEN.
MR.. HENDRICKS VIEWS.
| INDIANAPOLIS, Ind, June l2.-Hon.
Thomas A. Hendricks, in an interview con-
corning Tidens letter Of declnation, said
that the news was not surprise to him,