Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1886-08-15
TILDEN AND GRANT.
What Would Have Been Done Had
Tilden Been Declared Elected.

auguratlOn OF Hayes. | was then Consul
General at London, and called on him as
on man under whom l might perhaps
have served, one who more probably
would have used his power to remove me.
He received me cordially, and was evil
IDENTIFY pleased at the mark OF respect
from political opponent, He said that
he recognized all of the American repre-
sentatives abroad who had served I'M
der Grant. They had been appointed by
a President, but he visited none of the
nominees OF Hayes.
He spoke with respect of Gen. Grant
and of mis- services. although he must
have known that after the result OF the
Electoral Commission was declared
Grant was determined to place Hayes in
the Presidential chair. But he was proba-
bly, equally certain that if the decision
had been different Grant would just as
certainly have done all in his power to
install him.
l was not with Gen. Grant at this
period, but he often told me his views.
He held that of course he had no authority
to intervene, and he took no part, and
after the election used no influence to
affect the decision. He, indeed, requested
eminent citizens of both parties TO visit
the South and Investigate the condition
OF affairs, but he kept himself absolutely
aloot from participation IN the struggle;
all the more because he foFesaw posi-
billy that he might be called on to act at
the end. His sympathies, Of course, were
with the Republicans; he hoped That
the declaration of the vote would be
in favor OF HAYES, but he made no at
tempt and spoke no word to bring about
the result. Fortunately, the need to use
his official authority never came; but,
doubtless, the knowledge of his character
and the belief in his preparations assisted
to preserve order and make the Inaugural
ton OF Hayes uncontested. But Grant
always assured me that he would have
taken precisely the same steps to insure
the inauguration OF Tilden had the cleo
toral commission pronounced in his
favor,
THROUGHOUT THE CRISIS
he was, like all good citizens, profoundly
anxious that some means should be de-
Vsed to secure a peaceful issue, and when
once Congress decided on the electoral
commission, although this was not only
the suggestion of the Democrats, but was
carried in both houses by Democratic
votes and was expected to result in the
selection of Democratic candidate,
Grant at once determined to carry out the
decision.
Tilden, / have been told, was con-
WINGED OF the impartiality OF Grant, ana
never questioned his patriotism nor criti-
cised his fairness. He himself displayed
equal patriotism and fairness after the
decision Of the commission was an
nounced. His steadfast refusal to pre-
cipitate disorder was service to the
State equal to Grants determination to
repress 1t If 1t occurred. The two were
allies IN this, working really with the
same aim, and each might well have re-
specteG the part the other bore IN the i'm
pOrtant task.
TILDEN'S LATER YEARS
were devoted to the watchful study of
public affairs, varied by tasteful occupa-
lions and liberal pursuits. His library was
one of the finest private ones in The cOun-
try, enriched with many rare as we'll as
costly volumes, and he was rot little of
a bibliophile. Those who visited him Of
ten at Greystone have told me not only
that he prides himself on his collections
but that he made frequent use OF the
| treasures on his shelves. The exterior of
his house in New York is almost
unequalled in America as an
example of elaborate decoration in
dicative of the taste and studies of its
master. The selection of the portraits
that adorn it's facade is itself record of
intellectual and artistic predilections.
Literary avocations, however, did not alb
sorb him. The lessons in policy that he
gave his party, his not unirequent ad-
dresses to his countrymen, his urgent
| persuasions to the course that he ap-
proved, his final injunctions for defense,
all remind one of the influence eXerted
| by Jefferson at Monticello, and are evil
dence of lofty and patriotic ambition
which, though defeated, Will always be
| historical.
THERE Is STILL ANOTHER VIEW
to take of his career. Tilden rose from
poverty and comparative obscurity not
only to the position of a political leader,
the counselor and acknow ledged head of
his party, but TO great wealth, which be
dispensed lavishly for the furtherance of
his aims and in the qualification of refined
and graceful preferences. The spectacle
of eminence in public life attained by
those of unimportant origin is familiar in
America, but he also illustrated the truth,
not 80 generally recognized, that demOc-
racv may be made conducive to dignity Of
manner, elegance of lite and elaborate ac-
quirement-a lesson not without it's uses
in times when wealth aims chiefly at os-
tentation and the imitation OF foreign
aristocracies is supposed to be the only
means OF asserting either breeding or re-
| tnement.
He was the last of the defeated Demo-
cratic candidates for the Presidency
| seymour and McClelland and Hancock
| had been released before HIM from the
strifes and turmoil and disappointments
of unsuccessful political career, but Til
den lived to see one of his own party &C.
cupy the chair to which he thought he
had himself once been entitled. He died
with his friends in power after an eXclu-
sion of a quarter OF century, and doubt
less his own action in restraining them
contributed greatly to the success that
greeted his expiring glance.
When Grant preceded Tilden to the
tomb only year before, a Democratic
President was chief mourner, while the
men who had surrendered TO Grant
crowded around the hearse. SO the last
and ablest apostle OF Democracy as a
party was borne to the grave amid the
respectful recQgnitIons OF political oppo-
nents, and his pail was carried by some
who were once his bitter public enemies,
but for years have been proud to avow
themselves followers as we'll as friends.
ADAM BADEAU.
Mr.. Ingham's Address Concluded.