The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1888-06-02

crClSc OF us powers or tne ulhpOSal Ol lIS
patronage. Through the whole period of
my relation to the presidency | did every
thing in my power 10 elevate and nothing
TO lower moral standards in the competition
OF parties
by what neiarous means the basis for a
false count was laid in several OF the States
] need not recitc. These are now matters
OF history about which, whatever diversity
OF opinion may have existed in either OF
the great parties Of the country at the time
OF their contamination, has since practi-
caliy disappeared. ! refused 10 ransom
from the returning boards Of southern
States the documentary evidence by the
suppression Of which and by the substitu-
ton OF fraudulent and forged papers, pre-
text was made Tor the preparation OF q
false count. The constitutional duty Of tho
two houses Of Congress 10 count the elect
oral votes rs cast, and to give effect to the
will Of the people rs expressed by their
sullragcs was never fulfilled. An electoral
commission, for the existence OF which
have no responsibility, was formed, and TO
it the two houses OF Congress abdicated
their duty 10 make the count by II law en-
acting that the count OF the commission
should stand ~ final unless Oyerruled by
the concurrent action OF the two houses.
It's false count was not OVerrulcd, owing to
the completely of Republican Senate,
with the Republican majority of the com
mission Controlled by its Republican
majority Of eight 90 seven, the electoral
commission counted out the men elected by
the people, and counted in the men not
elected by the people.
That subycrsion Of the election created
n new issue for the decision OF the people
OF the United States, transcendng in i'm
portancc all questions of administration
IL involved the vital principle OF sclfgov-
eminent through elections by the people.
The immense growth Of the means Of cor
rupt influence over the ballot box, which
IL at the disposal Of the party having pos
session OF the executive administration,
had already become u present evil and u
great danger, tending 10 make elections
irresponsible TO public opinion, hampcring
the power OF the people 10 change rulers
and enabling men holding the machinery
OF government to continue and perpetuate
their power.
II was my opinion in 1876 that the oppo.
sition attempting 10 change the admins
tration needed 10 include at least two
thirds of the voters ut the opening Of the
canvass IN order Ia retain u majority ut the
election II, after such obstacles had been
overcome and a majority Of the people
had voted 10 change the administrations
OF their government, the men in office
could still procure false count, founded
upon frauds, perjury and forgcrics, fur
nishing u pptcXt Of documentary evidence
on which 10 base the false count, and il
such u transaction were not only success.
ful, but II after allotmcnts OF It's
benefits were made TO It's contriv.
ors, abetton and apologss by the
chief beneficiary Of the transactions,
1t were condoncd by the people, n
practical destruction OF elections by the
people would have been accomplished.
The failure b. install the candidates chosen
by the peoplc-a contingency consequent
upon no act Of omission Of mine and be-
You'd my control has thus left me Tor the
last three years, and until now, when the
Democratic party, 10y its delegates in ma
uonm convention assembled, shall choose
a new leader, the involuntary, but ncccs.
snry, representative Of this momcntons
issue, ~ such denied the immunitics OF
private life, without the powers conferred
10y public stations, subject 10 increasing
talschoods and cnlumnics from the parii.
sans oi an administration laboring In vain
10 Justify its existence.
have, nevertheless, s,cndinstly cndcav-
orcd 10 preserve to the Democratic parry
OF the United States the supreme issue be-
f1rc the people for their decision next
November, whether this shall bc a gov
eminent by the sovereign people through
elections or u government by discarded
servants, holding over by force and fraud.
and have withheld no sacrifice and neg.
lcctcd no opportunity 10 uphold, organize
aud consolidate against the enemies Of
Republican institutions, the great party
which alone, under God, can cilcciually
resist their overthrow.
Having now borne faithfully my full
share of labor aud care in the public
service, and wearing tho marks Of
ia burdens, | desire nothing ~
much ~ an honorable discharge.
wish 30 lay down the honon aud tolls Of
quasi party leadership, and 10 seek the ~.
pose of private life. In rcnouncing re-
nomination Tor the presidency do ~ with
no doubt In my mind ~ 90 the vote Of the
state Of New York, or Of the United
States, but because believe Il Ii rcnuncia.
ton oi reelection Of the presidency. TO
thosc Who think my denomination and rc-
election Indispensable 10 an ciIcctual win.
dicaiion Of the right of the people 10 elect
their rulers, violated in my person, have
accorded m long reserve ~ my decision
M possible. but cannot overcome my ~.
pugnancc to enter into a new engagement
which involves four years oi ccasclcss toll.
The dignity Of the presidential Office Is
above a mcrcly personal ambition, but Il
creates in me no Illusion. Its value is ~ a
great power for good 90 the country.
said four years ago, In accepting the nom.
nation: Knowing, ~ ! do, therefore,
from trcsh experience, how great the diff.
ference is between gliding through an oi.
fetal routine and working out reform of
systems and plans, Il Il impossible for mo
to contemplate what needs 10 be done in
tho federal administration without an
anxious sense Of the difficulties Of the un.
dcrtaking II summoned 10y the suilragcs
Of my counirymcn TO attempt this work,
shall cndcavor, with Gods help, 10 be the
efficient instrument Of their viii"
such work Of renovation after many
years Of misrulc. such q reform Of systems
and policies b. which | would checriully
have sacrificed all that remained 10 me oi
health and lite, ia now, ! fear, beyond my
strength. With unicigncd thanks ior the
honor bestowed upon me, with n heart
swelling with emotions Of gratitude 10 the
Democratic masses inf the support which
they have gwen TO the cause represented
and their confidence In every emergency.
! remain, your fellow citizen,
SAMugL J. TiLDEN.
Tup pp,gV.f,,s..