The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1886-08-13

Mr.. Tilden's resources ~ lawyer
were brought into conspicuous notice.
lie succeeded in defeating the claim of
Mrs. Cunningham and removing all
doubt of her participation in the Bur-
dell murder, Notwithstanding the pre-
vious acquittal.
TIL the war cane Governor Tilden
made every effort to avelt the rebellion.
When his efforts, combined with those
of other prominent patriots, had proved
abortive, his convictions of duty were
perfectly decided and clear. They
were to maintain the integrity of our
territor. and the supremacy of the
constitutional authorities.
During the winter of 1860 6l he at
tended meeting of the leading men
of both parties in the city Of New
York, TO consider what measures were
necessary and practicable TO avert an
armed collision between what were
then termed the free and the slave
states. To the north he urged recon-
Citation any forbearance, appreciatiDg
as he did more clearly than most of
those around him the fearful and dis
astrous consequences of civil war,
whatever might prove its ultimate re.
suit. 70 the South he urged defer
ence to the will Of the majority and
respect for the provisions of the federal
constitution, within which they would
be sure of adequate protection for
themselves and for their property but
! he warned them that outside of the
constitution they could expect protect
| ion for neither
When the war did come, Mr.. Tilden
associated himself with and was the
private adviser of Mr.. Dean Richmond,
then at the head of the. Democratic
party of New Yoik, and who was
accustomed on all import ant questions
to seek Mr.. Tilden in his retirement
and seek his counsel.
AT meeting held at the house of
Gen. Dix, just after the first call of
President Lincoln for $4,000 troops,
MIR. Tilden was present and participat-
ed Ill the discussions which took place.
lie then and there expressed the opin-
ion that they were on the eve OF a
great war, and maintained that instead
$4,000 troops Mr.. Lincoln should
have called out at least $4,000, half
for immediate service and the other
half to be put in camps of instruction
and trained for impending exigencies.
Unhappiy that generation had seen so
little of war and had such limited
means of pretending the rapidity
with which the war spirit, once light
ed, will spread among people, that it
was not competent TO appreciate the
wisdom of this advice, which, if adopt
ed, would probably have prevented the
necessity of any further increase of
military force.
10 Secretary Chase and his friends
MIR. Tilden insisted that the war ought
to be carried on under a system of
sound finance, which he did not doubt
the people would oheerfuly sustain if
the government would have the cour.
age to propose it AT later period of
the war he was invited by the govern.
ment at Washington to give his advice
as to the best methods for its further
conduct.
His ADVICE was not taken, but he
had the satisfaction, within a year
alter 1t was given, of hearing the Sec
retary OF War acknowledge its wisdom
and lament his inability to secure its
adoption.
When the peace came we find Mr..
Iilden figuring as the friend and com
panion OF William NJ. Tweed in run
nlng the Democratic party in New
York State, he being elected Chairman
OF the Democratic State Committee on
the death of Dean Richmond. Mr..
Tllden acted in close union with Tweed
until the war on the ring was started.
On the eve of his downfall, Tweed be-
gan to fear that the alliance could not
be maintained much longer, and in
1869 he made an effort TO supersede
MIR. Tilden as the head of the State
Committee. Mr.. T;lden promptly ac.
cepted the contest, and was sustained
by nearly seven eighths of the conven.
ton. Early in 1870 began the cele
brated controversy concerning the new
charter of the city of New York. AL
though standing well nigh alone Mr..
Illden went TO Albany, and on April
10, 1870, made a speech in scathinp
denunciation of the charter which re
stored the Tweed dynasty to power,
not by the vote of the people, but by
the vote of the Legislature Bribery,
however, had been so successfully car.
ried on that the bill passed almost
unanimously and under it the notorious
S6,OOO,OOO robbery occurred. In 1871
he had led the revolt of 10000 Demo
mocrats against the ring, aud openly
announced to the Democratic State
Convention that he should oppose the
Tweed nominees, and endeavor to
crush their power in the Legislative
bodies of the State.
That autumn ne was elected 20 the
Assembly for the express purpose of
purifying the judiciary His success
In that direction is too well known to
be dwelt upon here.
by his bold acts against the Tweed
Ring Mr.. Tilden made himself promin.
ent In the work of reform, and in 1874
was strongly urged 10 accept the
Democratic nomination for Governor.
lie was elected over Governor John
A Dix Qsep.) and Morgan II. Clark
(!emp) by majority OF 3S, out
of total vote of 794,233.
His war upon the Canal Ring and
his efforts TO secure a reduction in
State taxes were SO successful and so
consistent with the pledges made dur
ing the canvass, that in the election of
1873 the candidates identified with his
policy were elected But although
the State was retained by his party at
the election, his magnificent majority
OF 3S,549 over all opposition in 1874
dwindled down to Democratic major
ity of 3,707 in 1875. Notm ithstsnd-
ing the conspicuous manner in which
he figured in this warfare on the Canal
hing, there were prominent Demo
Gratis, even in New York, who did not
hesitate TO declare bis whole course in
this matter a sham. But throughout