The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1886-08-05
pEArn or SAMUEL ). TILDEN

The sudden death of Mr.. Tlden,
which was announced to the coursry
yesterday, was none the less snook
because for years the sad event had
been predicted as possible to occur at
anv time, The great statesman ha1
been nurped into comparative strength
out of an almost hopeless and helpless
condition of paralysis, and had been Tor
four years past so cheerful in spirits,
so comparatively strong mentally
and physically as 10 lead his
most intimate friends to believe that
he vet had before him few years
which ne could devote to the great po'
litical party, the success aud con-
t;nued usefulness of which had been
his one particular care since it WAS
robbed of its choice OF him for Pfesi-
dent in 1875. since that event he had
been held in veneration as first
among Democrats, the confidential
adviser of the statesmen OF the party
and its chief counsellor in times OF
stress or emergency, position never
b fore conferred upon any American
state sman by aOy party. Unique as
it was, it had its special burdens,
butthese were easily borne by the level
headed statesman to whom State YVES
but multiplication of COUNTIES and
he nation of States all governed by
the same general principles. Mr.. Til
den was born on the 9th of February,
1914, in the town OF New Lebanon,
Columbia county, New York, and was
consequently in his I'D year when
called away. His father was well"
TODD farmer of direct New England
stock, and though an earnest dis
ciple of jefferson and an sdmirer and
stsunch supporter of Jackson, was SO
tolerant and patient of spirit as to be
able to count among his friends many
OF the trustiest OF the Wing leaders of
his day. These, when canvassing the
State, did not hesitate, as the Demo-
, sratic leaders did not, to avail them
selves of the hospitality OF
the sturdy Democratic farmer, at
whose Preside his great son learned
his first lessons Of party direc ion,
management and control. Receiving
the rudiments of his education at the
public schools Of Columbia county,
Mr.. Tllden was sent to Yale in 1888,
and thence entered the Untver-
sty Of New York, from which
he was called to the bar.
In 1916 he entered upon his political
career and was elected to the Assem-
bly,, and also to the State Cons!itu
tional Convention, Iu this, last body
he became conspicuous at once for
the traits thst were so prominent IN
his after life, and was trusted as
a close and tireless investigator, a
patient and plodding examiner who
overlooked nothing that WAS necessary
TO the fullest possible Information
upon any question, and thought no
labor too great TO the complete elucida
ton of debaable point. To these
enviabls qualities he also c!mbined
others for organization, which made
him. much sought for by hi
party as safe and ahrew'
adviser aud guide. Naturally
adapted to politics he was wiIlingl!
caught in its meshes, but in 1855
when he was defeated in his candi
dsoy for Attorney General, he deter
mined to devote himself mora closely
to his law practice, and 30 we hea
little of him in politics agail
until 1856, when he was elects
chairman of the State Democrat
Committee, and in 1887 when b
served as member of the Const tn
tional Convention held that year. B.
that time he had become wealthy ant
one of the recognized nase rs OF tn
bar of New York city, being sough
for as counsellor by many OF the lead
ing railroad and mining corporation!
He had attained to great influence a
a citiz.n, too, and was careful
nurse that influence I'd the rlc
product of character that had ripens
under the eyes of contemp 1raries TX
Charles O'Con1r aud William y
Eva,ts. This influence be put fort
prudanty and only for good publ
purposes, as in 1969-70 when he wa
active in organ ling the Bar Aes1ci.
ton of New York and again
1901 when he was prominent
unc1yering the Tweed rasC alities an
breaking up one OF the most infamou
of the political rings that have dis
gracsd New York. To the accomplish
ment of this work he gave freeI
of his time and money, an
the ultimate results are largel
if not altogether, due to hir
In furthersnce Of this purpose he b
came, in 1872, a candidate, and vi
elected to the Assembly, where /
effected come changes in the chart
of the city of New York that we
deemed necessary to save it from pc
sible plunderers in the future. H
zeal and success for the paop
in this contest with iii
whose ramifcations ex ended in {
directions and whose fervor he Il
wherever he turned, made him Go
ernor in 1874 by the then great 70
jority Of 5O,3l7. As the first officer
the State he continued to labor (
the uttsr>and entire discontinue
the ring thieves, the eyes Of 1