Daily Republican. [volume] ([Wilmington, Del.]) 1874-1890, 1886-08-05
Samuel j Tilden.


Samuel j. Tilden for many years has
hsd but presarious hold upon life.
the news OF his death yesterday was
sudden and unexpected. 1t was re.
ceived with general regret and sorrow,
for whatever may have been his errors
- here are none without theu-he was
one Of the leading characters and
amongst the best of our nation. His
great influence over the masses, his
tran scendent ability, and his general
actions were all welded in favor Of the
good Of the PEG Pile and the elevation OF
honest government.
Since Mr.. Tilden's graduation from
Yale, and the commencement OF his
law practice be has been more or less
prominent in politics. A conservative,
wise and shrewd manager for many
years, he was the chairman Of the State
Democratic Committee Of New York, q
position Of great responsibility, and
one In which bat few serve long unless
they serve we'll. Up to the time Of the
a covering of the Tweed ring frauds,
Mr.. Tilden was simply Democrat OF
the old school, bad served o couple OF
to ms in tile Legislature, and seemed to
be In perfect harmony and accord with
tn Tweed ring. Charity eompels us
TO say, however, that he may not have
cen cogniz ant Of the tremendous steal
ing that was pr lcticed by Tweed and
his gang for 1. is q general and lauda.
BILE trait in human nature that we are
slow to believe man Is q thief or dis.
honest, in whom we have always had
the most perfect confidence Mr.. Til.
den was slow to believe that Tweed
was dishonest, hat when he was con-
WINGED OF his dishonesty, he became his
most powerful prosecutor. We do moi
share the reflection cast upon the char
acter of Tilden. that 1t was only be-
cause the opposition to Tweed had be-
come the popular side that Tildeu also
came ont against him. Mr.. Tilden was
. Democrat and that name In those
days implies more than 1t does now
He was Democrat whose natural i'm
pulses and leadings were in the direc
tion OF honesty, and this led him into
opposition with Tweed and his methods
when he found him out. Be this as II
may, Tllden at this time became the
leading Democratic reformer OF New
York City, and for the stand he tool
In favor of municipal reform and fol
being instrumental In sending his ole
party associate, Tweed, to the peni
tentiary, he was borRe on tn,
wings OF popular opinion int,
the Governorship Of the Stat
OF New York in 1874 by over fifty
thousand majority over 30 popular al
old War Democrat rs John A. Dix
who the Republicans had nominated. -
His popularity at this crisis OF his his
tory served him we'll two years after
wards in making him the Dsmocrati
nominee for the Presidency, and not
Wlthstanding the luke warmness ofS OIL
Kelly and Tammany his former ma
Jority for Governor was increased. Th
cry OF q reform President carried thou
sands Of Republicans over to his sup
port. Though he carried New York
New Jersey, Connecticut and Indian,
OF the Northern STATES, more than an,
other Democratic candidate for til,
Presidency had done sin 20 the com
meucement of the war, he lost tire,
southern S.ates, South Carolina, Flori
da and louisiana, and was defeated, hi
opponent, Rutherford B. II ayes, the Re
pub lean candidate, getting more cleo
toral votes than he did. The dispusel
which followed and the electoral CON
mission appointed by Congress whicl
gave the decision against Tilden as tn,
legally elected President, are parts o
our history. remem bered by all VIII
were living at that time. Tilden wa
charged at this time with veering frou
the strict path of honesty in tn
cipher dispatches be is said to have sen
to his friends in s outh Carolina, adyis.
ing the purchasing II possible OF sever
oil electoral votes. Coming 80 near tn
Presidency and yet not grasping i
seems to have had an influence upol
Mr. Tilden con .rary to his usual ma
ture. His health began to decline an
never since does he seem to have hal
tue presidency, positiveness and reso.
luteuess Of character before possessed b.
hin. It may be said truthfully tia
he has only been clinging to life eve
since his defeat, and this fact no doub
prevented hun from being renonina.et
In 1880 and again In 1884 With tn
greatest exer2.se q charity, and wit
characteristic sy mpashy, the Who'll
American people will stop in their bust
ness and pleasure pursuits, and as tn
remains of Sam el j. Tilden are com
,1nitted to mother earth, they will say
L.s was thorough American citizen,
good aud great man who will be remen
bered with gratitude.