The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-08-15
Mr.. TILDEN AND GEN. GRANT.
Grants Relations to the Political Crisis
Of 1867, and What He Thought.
Mr.. Tilden's Feelings Toward the General
The Corrupt ms and Outs of New York Pol
itics-The Irving-Terry Visit-Gossip.
Tilden and Grant.

Correspondence Of the Indianapolis Journal.
New YORK, Aug. III never met Mr.. Tilden
until he went abroad after the inauguration of
Hayes was then consul general at London.
and called on him as on man under whom
might. perhaps, have served, one who most prob
ably would have used his power to removem lie
received me cordially. and was evidently pleased
at the mark Of respect from political opponent
he said that he recognized all Of the American
representatives abroad who had served under
Grant They had been appointed by President,
but he visited none of the nominees of Hayes
He spoke with respect of General Grant and
Of bis services. although he must have known
that after the result of the Electoral Commission
was declared, Grant was determined to place
Hayes in the presidential chair But he was
probably equally certain that If the decision had
been different, Grant would just as certainly
have done all in his power to install HIM.
Twas not with General Grant at this period,
but he often told me his views. He held that
Of course he had no authority to intervene. and
ne took no part, and after the election used no
influence to affect the decision. He, indeed, re-
auested eminent citizens of both parties to visit
the South and investigate the condition of affairs
but he kept himself absolutely aloof from par
tieipaton In the struggle; all the
more because he foresaw possibility that he
might be called On to act at the end. His SYM
pathies, Of course. were with the Republicans;
be In favor Of Hayes, but he made no attempt
and spoke no word to bring about the. result,
Fortunately, the need TO use his official author
lily never came; but, doubtless, the knowledge of
his character and the belief in bis preparations
assisted to preserve order and make the inaug-
uration of Hayes uneontested, But Grant al
ways assured me that he would have taken pre-
eisely the same steps to insure the inauguratio
Of Tilden had the Electoral Commission pro-
nounced in his favor.
General Grant did not think, as some have
supposed, that Tilden had been fairly or legiti-
Imately elected. On the contrary, have heard
him say that improper means were undoubtedly
resorted to in the contested States to prevent
full and fair election. and this he considered
quite as criminal as any subsequent action of re-
turning boards in withholding or preventing the
expression of the unfair vote. But he did not
hesitate to say that he believed such action had
occurred. STILL he never regarded the introduc-
ton of Mr.. Hayes into the executive position as
a public wrong. It was rather, in his opinion,
the lesser Of two Objectionable acts, of which
was inevitable.
Throughout the crisis he was, like all good
citizens profoundly anxious that some means
should be devised to secure q peaceful issue,
and when once Congress decided on the Electoral
Commission, although this was not only the sug-
gestion Of the Democrats, but was carried in
both houses by Democratic votes. and was ex-
pected to result in the selection of the Democratic
candidate, Grant at once determined to carry
out the decision.
Tilden, have been told was convinced of the
fesawkz fSnIs4 -
patriotism nor criticised his fairness. He him
self displayed equal patriotism and fairness after
the decision OF the commission was announced.
His steadfast refusal to precipitate disorder was
service to the State equal to Grants determin-
alton to repress it 1t 1t occurred. The two were
allies in this, worKing really with the same aim,
and each might well have respected the part the
other bore in the important task.
Tildens later years were devoted to the
watcbful study of public affairs, varied by taste
ful occupations and liberal pursuits. His library
was one of the finest private ones in the coun-
try, enriched with many rare as we'll as costly
volumes, and he was not little of bibliophile.
Those who visited him often at Greystone have
told me not only that he prided himself on his
collections, but that he made frequent use of
the treasures his shelves. The exterior of
his house In New York Is almost uneoualed in
America as an example of elaborate decoration
Indicative of the taste aud studies of its master
The selection Of the portraits that adorn it's fa-
predictions. Literary avocations, however,
did not absorb him. The lessons in policy that
he gave his party, his not unfrequent addresses
TO his countrymen, his urgent persuasions to the
s0arse that he approved, his final iniunctions
for defense. all remind one of the influence ex
erted by Jefferson at Monticello, and are evil
dence of lofty and patriotic ambition which,
though defeated, will always be historical.
There Is still another view to take of his
Bareer. Tilden rose from poverty and compare
hive obscurity not only to the position of politi
cal leader, the counselor and acknowledged head
Of his party. but to great wealth, which he dis
pensed lavishly for the furtherance of his aims
and in the qualification of refined and graceful
preferences The spectacle of eminence in pub
lie life attained by those of unmportant origin is
familiar in America bat he also illustrated the
truth, not so generally recognized, that democ-
lacy may be made conducive to dignity of man
ner, elegance of life and elaborate requirement
"a lesson not without its uses in times when
wealth aims chiefly at ostentation and the imita-
lion Of foreign aristoeraees Is supposed to be the
pnly means of asserting either breeding or refine
ment.
He was the last of the defeated Democratic
candidates for the presidency. Seymour. and
Mcclellan, and Hancock had been released be-
Tore him from the strifes, and turmoil, and dis
appointments of unsuccessful political careers;
but Tilden lived to see one OF his own party oc-
tupy the chair to which he thought he had him
self once been entitled. He died with his friends
10 power, after exclusion Of a quarter of a
sentury and doubtless his own action in re-
straining them contributed greatly to the sue
Tess that has greeted his expiring glance.
When Grant preceded Tilden to the tomb,
Dnly year before, Democratic President was
thief mourner, while the men who had snrren-
aersd to Grant crowded around the hearse. So
the last and ahlest apostle of Democracy. as
party, was borne to the grave amid the respect
!ul rec0gnitions Of political opponents, and his
pall was carried by some who we've once his bit
Ter public enemies. but for years have been
proud to avow themselves followers as we'll as
friends. ADAM BADEAU.
New York's Corrupt Politics.
NEW YORK, Aug. 13-Like Samson, Hubert
D. Thompson died with blind eyes and shorn
looks Like Samson. he has revenged himself
h death. He has pulled down two main politi-
sal pillars but, uniks Samson, in this fall of the