The Calhoun chronicle. [volume] (Grantsville, W. Va.) 1883-1984, 1914-03-19
Samuel J. TiIden

was fittlngly observed last month
in the state of his birth-New
York. The observance ought TO
have been national for S amuel
j. Tilden belonged to the whole
country. The nation elected him
President in 1873 by popular
plurality of quarter of mill
ion, but he was defrauded Of his
high office by the decision of the
Joint High Electoral commission.
Samuel j Tilden was born
Feb. 8. 1914, at New Lebanon,
N. 7. He attained the foremost
rank in his profession as law
yer and in 1916 was elected to
the legislature. A year later he
was member of the state con-
stitutional convention. During
the Civil war he was several
times consulted by Pre- sidenU
Lincoln, who respected his judy
mcnt and admired his patriotism.
Notwithstanding the fact that
Mr.. Tilden opposed some of the
acts of the Lincoln administra-
ton as unconstitutional.
In 1866 Samuel J. Tilden be-
came chairman of the Democratic
state committee, in which capa-
city he took leading part in the
overthrow of the Tweed Ring,
opposing their delegates in the
state convention and being active
in collecting evidence against
their leaders and bringing them
to prosecution. In 1873 having
again been elected to the legisla-
ture, Tilden was the leader in
the impeachment of two OF the
Tweed judges. A year later he
resigned as chairman of the state
committee, and in 1874 was nom
mated and elected Governor of
New York. His administration
was a notable one in the history
of the Empire state. He ex-
posed and broke up the canal
ring" and procured the indict-
ment of several officials for de-
frauding the state.
Governor Tilden's rugged hon
esty. great executive ability ard
unfiinching courage turned the
eyes of the nation in his direction
and he was nominated in the
national convention of Democrat
ic candidates for President. The
election returns showed a plu-
fality for Tilden over Hayes, the
Republican nominee, of 25O, 935,
and MAJ ority over all opposing
candidates, including besides
Hayes, Peter Cooper, on the
Greenback ticket, Green Clay
Smith, on the Prohibition ticket.
and James b. Walker on the
American ticket, Of 157037.
The Republican politicians, how
ever, were determined to retain
control of the government by
foul means if not by fair. They
accomplished their end, defraud-
ing Tilden of his we'll earned vic
tory by means Of the Joint High
electoral commission which by
reversing its own presidents in
every case where Hayes would
be benefited, juggled a false
electoral return of 1876 votes for
Hayes to 1874 for Tilden. The
record of this commission is a
foul blot upon the pages OF
American history.
That a second civil war VAS
averted at this crisis was due
mainly to Mr.. Tilden's broad
patriotism and self sacrifice.
Though fully convicted of his
right to the presidential office he
was unwilling to see the country
again plunged into the horrors Of
war to maintain his rights. lie
counseled calnness and submis
sion to the injustice heaped upon
him and his followers. His coun-
sci prevailed. General Haye Is
took unhindered the oath Of an
office to which he was not elect
ed and held an empty title
through -four obscure years.
The people sill turned to Tilden
and he could again have been his
party's standard bearer in 1880
and 1884 had he consented to ac-
cept.