National Republican., 1886-08-05
Samuel 4. TIl,tcn.


Ofthe five men whom the Democratic party
has unsuccessfully striven to elect to the
presidency since 1890 not one Is now living.
Mcclellan, the candidate in 'G4, Seymour,
IN 6s, Greeley, IN ~, and Hancock in 80,
have been Joined in the land Of the hereafter
by Samuel j. Tilden, the 'T6 candidate,
whose long life closed yesterday. Grovef
Cleveland is the only man living ever sup
ported by the Democratic party in presi-
dental campaign, and, as If to make the
work OF devastation more complete, Mr..
Hendricks, who was second on the Tilden
ticket in &c and elected on the Cleveland
ticket in 1884, has been called away. OF
the old school Democratic statesmen of ma
tional fame but one remains Allen G.. Thur
man, Of Ohio, "the noblest Roman Of them
ALL" with the possible exception Of lIoratlo
Seymour.
Mr.. Tilden had been an invalid for many
years, yet such was his peculiar physical
condition and such an air Of mystery was
thrown around him that no surprise would
have been occasioned had he lived for a
decade or more, and been urged by bis
friend, Mr., Dana, as the most suitable Of
candidates for the presidency in 1888 aud
1859. Now that his days are ended and the
facts OF bis chronic feebleness are made
known, II seems like ghastly, cruel joke,
this persistent pushing of the aged invalid's
name TO the front whenever presidential
possibilities have been discussed.
Mr.. Tildon achieved great success as
lawyer, and that has never been accom-.
| pllshed without good abilities and hard
work. There ia no royal road to fame In
that profession. 1t takes the best powers
Of the strongest minds TO reach eminence
therein. Long years Of close study, other
years Of faithful application to business,
sharp contact with great minds are but
items in the list of Prerequisites for such
success at the bar as was won by Mr.. Til
den. Writing Of him fairly, as It is best to
write Of all men who die after filling large
space in the pubic eye, It is necessary to
say Of Mr.. Tilden that his methods as a rail.
road lawyer did not escape severe censurc
At the st. Louis convention IN 1876
some Of the supporters Of Mr.. Hendricks
for the first place on the ticket made
serious charges against the integrity of Mr.
|
The fact that suit was brought to recover
moneys alleged to have been wrongfully
withheld by him, and that he paid the sum
demanded in preference to letting the case
go to trial, would seem to be evidence that
the allegations so loudly made by Indiana
Democrats at 81. Louis were not altogether
false
OF Mr.. Tilden as governor OF the Empire
state It would he difficult to write in too
nOtteripg terms. In that Office he displayed
executive abilities of very high order.
lie was reformer where reform was
needed, He was honest and courageous
and commanded the admiration OF the
country. New York has had many good
governors Of various parties, but the name
of Tilden will stand IN truthful history as
one Of the best In the distinguished list.
Few men have ever possessed the cont
dence Of great party to such an extent as
did Mr.. Tilden. We do not think he was
the object Of anything like popular affec
tion. There was nothing In the man,
nothing in his mental qualities or habits, to
touch the popular heart But the Demo
cratic masses, as well as politicians, re.
lied implicitly on his judgment. They be.
lieved In his wisdom and sHgacity. To the
very hour of his death, in spite Of failing
exerted greater influence in his party had
he sought to do so, than any other member
of that party.
1t is q pleasant duty to make record o
Mr. Tilden's last public service. At tn,
beginning of tie session Of Congress thu
veteran sent from his quiet home an earnes
letter urging upon the law-makiug depart
ment the necessity of putting our eoas
deferses in order. His wise and patriots
appeal was slIghted-treated with neglect
bordering on contempt, by his polltIca
brethren in the House. A few days az,
Mr.. Tilden sent similar communication Il
Senator lIawlcy, and the Republican Senat
did not slight it. Such an exhibition o
love OF country was noble closing of I
long life.