The Irish standard., 1886-08-07
SAMUEL ], TILDEN

SIAM u ILL j. IlLOhN
s.Tbis was The no!lest Roman OF them
all" His politics were, country first,
last, and at all times. In the death OF
Samuel J. Iilaen America has lost her
most eminent statesman and the Demo
cratic party it's most profound political
economist. While Ills feeble health for
the past few years prevented him from
taking al. active part i'll the affairs OF the
nation, still his advice Was always avail
able. and that aslvice never failed to
carry weight i'll the counse|s Of the
oarty with which he was identified
Samuel ]. Tslden WAS eyer 5, tcue
friend OF the Irish people at home and
iii America When ga'lnt hunger stared
Iueland's Door in the face, his gen-
;,sity knew no bounds. At one time
aloue he subscribed $1,000 to assist in
furnishing food and clothing for the
starving and bale naked peasantSy. He
never gave aims in public-places. His
name vii! he held iu reverence forever
by the Irish people in every cline.
The lilaens were OF old Ken:isn
stock, coming from the city OF Teuter-
den, England, where the family had
been Influential for many years. The
first member Of the family who sought
the new world was Nath aniel Tilaen,
who had held the position Of mayor Of
lis native place, and who sailed for
Amorica il the ship Anu in 1884, and
became Que Of The founders CT the town
of Scituate in Massachusetts. Later
the Iildens moved to Lebanon, Conn.,
and were prominent during the struggle
! for American independence. After the
close OK the Revolutionary WIZ, John
T7ilden, the grandfather Of Samuel j.,
moved to Columbia county, New York,
where he founded new town, which
he named New Lebanon in honor OF
his old home. Here Oh the Sub Of
February, 1914, Samuel j. Ti]den was
born. His early life seems to have been
quiet aud uneyentful. Lacking the
companionship Of boys Of his own age
he was forced to associate largely with
his elders. It was q time when thought
ful men gave much time and attention
to the discussion Of public questions,
and the boy became at an early age
thoroughly familiar with the political
situation and with che. questions that
were agitating the political leaders OF
that day. Mr., Tilden entered Yale col
lege in the fall of 1882, in the same
class with William M. Evarts, Edwards
Pierrepont Chief Justice Waite and a
number of others who have since made
themselves more or less famous in pub
lie life. Mr.. Tilden had not been long
at college before his health gave way,
and obliged hiln to leave. After some
rest he was enabled to resume lis duties,
and in 1884 entered the University oj
New York, where he completed his aca:
demic education. Eie then entered the
law office Of the late John w. Edmunds
in the city Of New York, where he en-.
ioyed peculiar facilities for the prosecu-
tion of his favorite studies of law ano
politics.
Having completed his academical
career MIR. Tlden pursued his lega]
studies in the Office Of Judge Edmunds:
and also at the New York university Law
school, which at that time numbered
among its lecturers President Val
Buren, Attorney General Benjamin F
Butler and Judge Kent. He was ad.
mitted to the bar in 1841, and began hik
practice in an Office in Pine street, New
York. AS is the case with most young
lawyers, he had plenty Of spare time OF
his hands, and gave Large share of .,it
attention to politics.
Till the war came Gov. Tilden made
every effort to avert the rebellion. He
had been educated in the school Of
Jackson, and his opinions were those
of Jackson, vsn Buren, Wright and
Marcy, with whom, during most o.
their public lives, he had been on terms
of personal intimacy, During the win
| ter of 1861 he attended meeting o1
the leading men of both parties in the
city of New York, to consider what mea
sures were necessary and practicable tt
avert an armed collision between what
we're then termed the free and the slave