The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1884-03-20
ed to make the contribution asked to
secure such great advantages for ourselves
and for the future Of our City and our
County.
NOT a CANDIDATE.

Imagine my surprise then on hearing
the footsteps on the hallway, TO see Is
turned Dir. Tilden himself advancing
towards me. True, his step was not
characterized with the easy movements
Of one in his prime Of years. Nor OH
the other hand did it strike me rs being
more feeble than could be expected from
one who had turned his three score years
and ten. The nervous prostration which
life Of e1er,ion had caused, showed
itself in the tremor of his hand, but his
eyes, the windows OF his brain, were far
more clear and steady than those of nine
tcnths Of the men whC have as yet but
turned their sixtys. He wore PLAIN
cloth suit, his collar fitted closely around
his neck, his hair was brushed back from
his forehead, and as lie leaned towards
me with
"You come to see me from the ConNi.
Mtion?" felt as replied in The afiir'
native, when saw his calm and steady
glance, that the magnitude Of the mind
before me overshadowed even the frail
body which held it.
The report Of his brother llenry's
death at New Lebanon had reached him
but this morning, and though his voice
was scarcely above whisper, yet 1t
carried with it tho emotion which filled
his soul. lie spoke tenderly of his broth.
er, and though his death had been ex.
pected, yet it shocked him. sat near
him rs he spoke, that might catch his
words, for his utterance was feeble and
scarcely audible at short distance,
through some trouble with his throat.
But the comparatively strong man whom
| eat before had agreeably surprised me
in that lie moved with ease, certainly
portraying not the characteristics of o
confirmed invalid. His conversation was
quick and he seemed to take much inter
est in subjects of which he spoke.
"No, am not 80 bad as have been
pictured" said he, in reply to my express
sion of surprise as to his health. IL am
feeble and Frustrated from life OF exer.
:ioH, but my doctors are positive that my
vital organs arc perfectly sound. Oh,
no, am being made far worse than i
really an
touched politics incidentally, and
told him of the strong sentiment in the
South for his denomination. 1t was
almost humorous as he leaned to me
and smilingly said: ave are all against
the old ticket in this house."
"But the general verdict of the arty
now seems 10 point to the certainty of its
denomination at Chicago7"
eyes, and appreciate it, but l will
not allow the use Of my name. l know
that l reformed the politics of New York
ten years ago. was more able then
than now. 1t would be herculean task
to undertake to reform now the matters
Of the general government. After tYen-
ty years OF nisrule and mismanagement,
corruption has become fixed, and the
most vigorous efforts will 10 necessary to
eradicate it. don't feel my condition
would allow me to cope with it. In my
letter q few years ago, l stated why
would not allow tho use of my name. 1t
was discredited. The same reasons /
now urge. They have become stronger,
for am fcul ears older, and am more
infrm now than then. l would urge
that the idea DO discontinued, for it is
not right that should undertake to do
that which am practically unable to
do."
"Whom, then, do you consider the
most available man for the Democrats 2"
He slowly shook his head as he replied ::
swell, don't know. Hoadly is good
man. His strength in tho Western
States would add much to his chances of
success. With the German vote he is
very popular, and he would prove gener.
ally acceptable. Payne would be strong,
and could make splendid race"
"And Randall 7"
can admirable man, and one who
would serve mis- party and country faith.
fully"
"Whero in your opinion will the Re.
publican nn1ination be p!acad?'
'.On Blaine or arthur, suppose"
"What, governor. do you think will or
should be tho Leading iesue Of the democ.
racy2"
Reform" he replied, "reform should
be the issue. After misrule Of 20 years
the people will stand by it. The party
has it in its cvD hands If it will but take
advantage of it"
"And if you are considered TO be the
one to save it, you could not resist its
call"
II should have to. l have served it
faithfully until am now unable to un.
dergo the exertions which, In case of
election, should have to make. It can
bo done without me. I could not stand
the phyvical effort. would not disap.
point my party. My name must not be
considered"
This was said with q positive frmneas,
and as he concluded with o comment on
the love Of his party and his devotion To-
its principles, ! =ss mere .hsn ever coz.
vinced of his grandeur as a statesman.
Yea, he seemed patriot to me, as he
slowly crose, and raising HE voice above
the whisper in which he had spoken, re.
peatec:
II could not stand the physical effort.
l would not diunppoint my party"
His conversation then became general,
and bu. one more political topic was
touched, and that in reference to the
electoral commission. In reply to some
question concerning it, he said:
"Yes, supported it. I was in favor
of it, but its act was ono of great wrong
and injustice. know the people sym.
pathize with me, but it is too late. It IL
neet, and ia wseng tia. cam. be TiRht.
ed"
He spoke Of his house, which was
nearing completion, and asked mo if
would like to see it. He then showed me
through the spacious rooms of the fint
floor himself. He enjoyed 1t, and seem.
ed to take much pleasure in explaining
the hundreds of little convenienccs, or
pointing out the beauty Of the workman.
ship of aome exquisite carvings or handi.
work.
I. AS | left he gently whispered: "Would
you like to have q picture 9'' and going
back with. him to his library he took
from drawer in his book case, cabinet
tho Same face which thrilled the coun-
try in '76, and which is still loved wher.
ever his nsmo is known, and placing 1t
in my hand smiled rs he said: iEi