Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1895-05-16

or prose is more pathetic than the
story Of Mr.. Tilden's struggle with Ill
ness and physical inhrmity. Ills ten
.derness and affection as 2 son, as de-
scribed By Mr. Bigelow are very touch
ing. When one thinks OF his su0se-
onent great wealth, and his colossal
gift TO establish a public library, What
can he more quaint than his letter 10
his father on February 9th, 1S42, WGen
twenty-eight years old in reference TO
buving cheaplya few law books st auc-
ton? 1t reads now like a romance.
1t is pleasant to dwell on his MAI
relations. his Difference for the opln-
ion Of his father and mother, his ten
der devotion to them. lie was through
life an affectionate man in his relations
with those who had his confidence,
but knowing had with him always,
fancy. a great deal to DO with feeling.
His habits of method and order, his
mower CT analysis and synthesis, were
exceptional. No man | have known
could better resolve q proposition into
its constituent elements, and then re-
combine them for the true result. He
was, perhaps, a prccrastinator-neyer
doing to-day what he could safely post
pone till tomorrow. Every great
Statesman or politician has that high
faculty. but the test OF it is in the word
safely"
The account CT the beginning in 1887
of Mr. Tilden's alienation, when only
twenty-three years Old from the illus
uious Marcy, then Governor Of New
York.
BECAUSE OF HIS VIEWS.
respecting the suspension of specie
payments by New York banks, is inter
esting in many ways. And here too,
may be seen Mr.. Bigelow's personal
predictions, IS when, Tor example,
Page g., Vol u he says the great
Marcy was more Of politician than a
statesman" If Marcy was not
Statesman" who was? What is The
distinction in Mr. Bigelows mind, be-
tWeena statesman" anda politician?
My acquaintance with Mr. Tilden
began when he was Chairman of the
State Committee, and our acquaint-
ance Tipened into a warm friendship,
which continued until his death. 1t is
true that we occasionally differed as to
matters Of party policy, but such diff
ferences, although rare, were always
honest and respectful. Mr.. Tildan was
wise enough and liberal minded
enough 10 tolerate differences Of opin-
ion among friends and recognized the
TACT Of The improperly of attempting
to arbitrarily dominate the sincere con-
victims Of those with whom he was
generally in political accord; and this
attribute illustrates the greatness Of
his character. IS a political manager
ne was able, alert, and Incompatible.
lie looked after details-he believed I'm
party CrganizatiCn-be sought to build
up and strengthen local leaders. upon
whom he knew he must rely for re-
suits, rather than attempt 10 beiittie
and break them down under the spec
ious plea Of reliance upon the people
he desired to make his party strong
rather than to create an individual
following; he realized better than any
oneI ever knew the inherent weakness,
the natural strength, the conflicting in
terest, and
THE DIVERSE ELEMENTS
which constituted or pcrtaincd to the
masses which composed the Democratic
party, and he appreciated the necessity
of harmony without the sacrifice Of
principle the careful adjustment Of
differences ana autagOnisms, and the
Of issues which appealed
10 popular support. rather than those
which benefited classes and sections.
He compreheuded the interests of the
whole country, not merely those of a
section, and his extensive acquaint-
ance with public men and his familiar
ity with public measures made him q
safe adviser, prudent counselor, and
wise political leader.
In the interest Of the GAUGE Of re-
form with which he was identified, and
which he conspicuously lead in 1871,
the New York he consented
to become member from
New York county to the Legislature of
1872, OF which I was also a member
from Chemung county, serving my
second term. The Democratic members
Of that year We're few, indeed. and Mr.
Tilden and myself were thrown much
together, We serving as the two minor
ity members Of the Judiciary Commit
tee He very soon in the session dis
closed to me his political plans, in
forming me semi-confdently that his
special purpose in becoming q mem
Der was to procure a publication of
New YOr', City. He early fore /
told the difficulty Of framing n new /
charter for that city regarding that /
matter under the circumstances rs one /
Of secondary Importance. The famous /
Committee Of Seventy, although COM /
posed Of many wellmcaning men, yet, .
like all such solf-constituted Commit
tees suddenly invested with political /
Importance becoming impressed with |
their own wisdom and intolerant of I
criticism and unwilling to accept sug-
gcstiOns from men of wider experience. !
TO accomplish to much, and /
incorporated in their char /
ter the foolish and unconstitutional
provision
FOR CUMULATIVE VOTING,
to which Mr.. TilJon, as a sound law
yer and a close student Of history.
5trenu0usly objected, and the result
was that Mr.. Tilden opposed the char
ter and ! followed him in the opposi-
ton to it, and it passed the Legislature
however. only o. meet with a deserved
veto from Governor Hoffman. and the
became a wiser and sadder
body.
Mr.. Tilden's special mission TO pur-
fly the bench was, however. successful.
resulting in the impeachment OF Barn
ard. the forced resignation of Cardozo.
and the removal OF McCUnn.
Ny personal and political intimacy
with Mr.. Tiiden may be said to date
from mn. n-.r.i tfn., l., IL. -,