Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1886-08-05
Samuel j. THden.

The amour cement OF the death oil
Samuel j. Tilden was received in all parts
of the country with profound sorrow.
Although he had been suffering from i'll
health for long time, and for several
years had not been able to move about
without assistance, or to speak above
whisper. it was not generally understood
that his death might be reasonably ex-
pected a any hour.
/ He was not a very old mana little be-
yond 72-hut he had been prominent in
public affairs so long that he was looked
upon as a very old man.
Mr.. Tiden was great and good man.
His aims were high and his purposes be-
yond criticism. He sought to promote
the welfare of his country and to elevate
society, and he had the satisfaction of
knowing that he met with a reasonable
measure Of success.
He was a reformer, and throughout his
political career he kept steadily In view
the necessity for introducing purer
methods into politics, and for checking
extravaganza in the administration Of
Federal State ana municipal affairs. He
| led the movement against the Tweed
ring, and II was by his help that the most
gigantic plunderers that this country has
ever known were driven from power to
! prison, to exile and 20 death.
A little more than ten years ago he was
nominated by the Democratic party for
! President, and after campaign that, in
some respects, was a most remarkable
; L..
in three States-S0uth Carolina, Florida
and LOuisiana-cOunted him out, but not
before It had been demonstrated that
clearly defined conspiracy existed to ac-
complIsh that object. So well satisfied
were the Democrats that their candidate
had been wr0nged that they disputed the
electoral count, and commission
was organized to settle the issues which
bad arisen, and which threatened the
country with civil war. A majority of
the commission were Republicans, and a
partisan result was reached. Fraud tri-
umphed and truth retired abashed from
the presence of the Eight-to-Seven Com
mission.
Mr.. Tilden being a true patriot, and
holding the good Of the country above
every ether consideration, refused to lis
ten to the suggestions Of ambitious men
VINO wanted MIN to pursue a course that
would have undoubtedly resulted in
troubled condition Of affairs.
Although he failed to get the high Office
to which he had been elected, he did not
appear before the world in the character
of a complaining, disappointed man. He
Withdrew, in great measure, from &C
tive participation in politics, but he still
took deep interest in everything thai re-
lated to the country's welfare. At his
residence in New York and at his country
place on the Hudson the lead
ers of the party frequently
called to consult with him.
lie was regarded as the ablest man of the
party, and his advice was eagerly sought
upon all important matters. He was
! thoroughly familiar with the country's
political history, and about public men
no one was better informed or mad more
discerning judgment.
That Mr.. Tilden was a statesman who
ranked with the ablest that this coun-
try has produced will hardly be denied
| His letter accepting the Presidential
nomination in 1876 has a permanent place
in the political history of the country.
In that letter Re said that the prevalent
notion that the public service exists, not
! for the benefit OF the whole people.
but for the interests of the
office holders, was a demoralizIng
one, and hs commended that portion of
the party's platform which said that civil
service reform was necessary in order
that the ordinary employment of the
public business may not be "a prize
fought for at the ballot box, a brief re-
ward OF party zeal, instead of posts of
honor assigned for proved competency
and held for fidelity in the public en-
| pIoy."
Mr.. Tilden's last public utterance was
his late letter to the Speaker of the House
urging liberal appropriations for coast
Qualifications. This letter has been widely
commended, and by the ablest men OF
both political parties. 1t has had its IN
fluence in Congress and throughout the
country. Whatever is done in behalf of
coast deienses will be largely due to Mr.
Tilden's efforts. Mr.. Nlden will take a
place In history as a statesman and a
patriot, and there will be no effort TO de-
| hriVa him pf that plapA