Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1886-08-04
MIR. TILDEN'S CAREER.
The Life and Services Of shr Dsstin.
guished Statesnaaa-esiS Successes as
the RRr and in Politics.

Samuel j. Tilden was born at New Lebanon,
i'm the state OF New York, in lsl4. He was de-
scended from old and highly honorablo
family, the remolest member of whom he had
any positive knowledge being one Nathaniel
Tilden, wno mayor OF Tentcrden,
Kent, England, in 1923. This gentleman
removed with his family to America in
1884, and settled at Scituate, Massachusetts.
Mr. Tilden's father was a thrifty merchant
OF New Lebanon, who, on account % his integ-
rity and good sense, especially on political mat
ters, was adinitlcd 10 terms OF intimacy with
Martin Van Buren. His motner WAS descended
from William Jones, lieutenant governor oi the
colony Oh New Haven, and reputed to 10
a son of Colonel John Jones, one OF
the regcide judges OF Charles /, whose
wife Was sister OF Oliver Cromwell. In his
eighteenth year Mr. Tiiden entered Yale col.
lege. where lac pursued his studies with such
interchangeable zeal that his health gave way
and he compelled lo dIop cut o the course.
As soon a. ,le had so ptiicientiy recovered lie re-
sumed his studies at the University
OF New York, where lac was graduated
ia 1854. lie then a young man
OF only twenty years. He subsequently read
law. and while a student in the Office oI John
W. EdIn8nds, in New York. wrote several arti.
cles on ne political situation. One OF these was
in defense of President Van Buren's policy. lt
caused considerable discussion in the newspa-
per world, especially So as the President WAS
conjectured To have written it, As no
had been admlIted 10 the bar Mr.. Tilden
opened an office OF his own in Pine street,
ia New lork city. Aithough embarked Ia =
most arduous application, he did not lose his
interest in politics. he continued to express
his opinions Through the press and occasionally
spoke at political meetings. As soon the
Presidential ampagn o ! S44 In which James
X Polk was a candidate had fairly opened,
Mr. Tilden founded the New York DAILY
Netcs, in connection with John OSui.
livan. The following year he was
York, and elected a delegate TO the conven.
tion which WAS to revise the constitution of
the state. The estrangement between the
friends OF Mr.. Polk and Ar. Van kuren In con-
sequence oi the elections of lS46 caused Mr..
Tilden 10 retire from politics and devote his
attention to the law. This was fortunate
move, without which his subsequent success
aud fame as lawyer could never
have been achieved. He immediatsly
which gave him great reputation. Among the
more Notable cases in which he was successful
Burden v. Cunningham "A famous will case,
and that of The Pennsy lvania coal company
against the Delaware ana Hudson canal con.
pany. From 1855 up 10 the time he retired
from professional llfe one-haif Oh the great rail-
way corporations north OF the Ohio and be
tween the Hudson and Mississippi had been hls
clients. For some Time preceding the ise was
the confidential advisor oil Dean kichmond,
tue leeder " the democratic party in the state
of New Yosk. lie was elected governor VI
New lofk 1n,les4, and was nominated TO the
presideney MISE The result of the election
u1A1o4 lQ41R41ox led 10 the appointment OF the
eteclore$ nission. under whose decision
The seps.ks!f6en candidate was peacefully An.
lived IN rettremens with the exception
Of an oceeat9S}ai appearance an public. He Was
urged N 16eo1p accepI Tie democratic noilli.
patton lor 1oe presidency, but declined. Again
An 1854 ho WNa Obliged to write "a letter DECLINE
Ing ~ ~ 4eodidate, as he then beiie>ed his
health ~ ~ unequal 70 the performances Of the
duties ~ his ONCE. Since his retirement he has
wieiaed great snfiaence with hls party. by liza
mH5or7ty cf.ghcm he was regarded almost with
feSerVQeAs 1Sei~ outstanding his feeble health
be has been Within the last fortnight puoiiciy
prvpysea 90 the democrntic presidential caaas.