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A Brief Look at the Eventful Life of Samuel Tilden

Samuel Jones Tilden was born in New Lebanon, New York in 1814. He was educated at Yale University and the University of the city of New York. He was admitted to the bar in 1841.[1] Tilden became an outstanding corporation lawyer, who mastered the complexities of reorganizing and refinancing railroads. He amassed a fortune in fees, which he augmented by shrewd investments in railroads, iron mines, and real estate.[2]
Tilden had shown leadership ability early in his political career. An ardent Jacksonian in the 1830's, Tilden became a leader in the 1840's of the Barnburners.[3] "The Barnburners were a radical element of the Democratic party in New York State from 1842 to 1848. The name derives from the fabled Dutchman who burned his barn to rid it of rats; by implication, the Barnburners would destroy corporations and public works to do away with the abuses they foster".[4] This alliance illustrated Tilden's commitment to the abolition of corruption.
This strong personal commitment led Tilden to achieve national fame in law while at the same time rising high in the ranks of the Democratic Party and was named New York State Chairman in 1866.[5]In 1874 he became the chairman of the New York State Democratic Committee and helped to destroy a ring of political corruption that controlled New York politics known as the "Tweed Ring."[6] "[Tilden] further enhanced his reputation for reform by his successful attack on the corrupt 'Canal ring,' which made illegal profits on repair and extension of the state canal system. Tilden thus Became the outstanding Democrat in the nation, and in 1876 his party nominated him for President."[7]
This led to the event that, more than any other, defined Tilden's political legacy and cemented his place in American history. In the contested 1876 election he ran against Rutherford B. Hays and was part of the most controversial election of all time, with the possible exception of the 2000 presidential election. Similar to the 2000 election, Tilden V. Hays sparked controversy because the person with the highest numbers of popular votes lost the race. Although Tilden received approximately 250,000 more votes, Rutherford Birchard Hays was named winner by one electoral vote. [8]
Tilden received a majority of the popular vote, but there were double and conflicting returns of electoral votes from Florida, Louisiana, and South Carolina and a contest over one Oregon elector. To settle the unusual question, not covered by the Constitution, Congress created an electoral commission of five senators, five representatives, and five Supreme Court justices. Eight were Republicans and seven were Democrats."[9] The original commission consisted of five Republican and five Democratic congressional delegates, two Republican and two Democratic court delegates and one independent, Justice David Davis. However, when the Illinois legislature elected Davis to the United States Senate, he resigned from the commission. His seat went to a republican justice thereby shifting the balance.[10] The commission, by partisan division, awarded Hayes all the disputed votes, making his total a majority of one (185 to 184)."[11]
Tilden explained his concern over the state of the Union and the future of the election system during his Speech to the Manhattan Club conceding the election of 1876. He said: "If the men in possession of the government can, in one instance, maintain themselves in power against an adverse decision at the elections, such an example will be imitated. Temptation exists always. Devices to give the color of law, and false pretences on which to found fraudulent decisions, will not be wanting. The wrong will grow into a practice, if condoned-if once condoned. In the world's history changes in the succession of governments have usually been the result of fraud or force. It has been our faith and our pride that we had established a mode of peaceful change to be worked out by the agency of the ballot box. The question now is whether our elective system, in its substance as well as its form, is to be maintained."[12]
While Tilden's speech was mostly a condemnation of corruption and an expression of concern, he did offer a point of optimism and hope. As he spoke to the crowd of his followers who were doubtless angry and disheartened over their loss, he made a statement of confidence in the American people and Republic. "If my voice could reach throughout our country and be heard in its remotest hamlet I would say. "Be of good cheer. The Republic will live. The institutions of our fathers are not to expire in shame. The sovereignty of the people shall be rescued from this peril and be re-established."[13]
In the end, after a promising political career filled with great accomplishments, large undertakings, and hard falls, Samuel Jones Tilden stepped out of the political arena. In 1880 and 1884 there was sentiment for Tilden's renomination, but he refused both times to be considered. He died in Yonkers, N. Y., on Aug. 4, 1886, a bachelor.[14] In his final act to benefit the people, he left a large sum toward establishing a free public library in New York City, and in 1895 this trust was joined with the Astor and Lenox libraries to form the New York Public Library.[15]
[1] Funk & Wagnall's New Encyclopedia
[2] www.grolier.com
[3] ibid
[4] www.bartleby.com
[5] Funk & Wagnall's New Encyclopedia
[6] www.grolier.com
[7] www.bartleby.com
[8] Funk & Wagnall's New Encyclopedia
[9] www.bartlby.com
[10] Brinkley
[11] Ibid
[12] www.rbhays.org
[13] Ibid
[14] www.grolier.com
[15] www.bartelby.com
Works cited:
WWW. Bartleby.com
WWW.grolier.com
WWW.rbhays.org
Brinkley, Alan Unfinished Nation, A concise History of the American
People, New York, New York: McGraw Hill 2004
Bram, Leon, et all, Funk & Wagnall's New World Encyclopedia Vol 23, Funk & Wagnall's Inc.
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