"Be kind enough to reply to this note, and address me at the Merchants Hotel, Phila. What you have to say shall be strictly confidential, and I shall go over to see you if you desire me so to do. "Very truly, Your Obt., "WM. BIGLER." CH. O'CONOR TO TILDEN (HIS INTERVIEW WITH THE "GREAT MOGUL") "_Feb. 10, 1868._ "DEAR SIR,--I saw the Great Mogul,[42] agreeably to your suggestion, and, finding him in very good humor, had a pretty long, full, and free chat with him. "He is all for the cause, and cares not for any man living relatively to the result itself. He deems a failure fraught with indescribable misery. "I am sure that he speaks the truth and is honest. He repeated that so far from having any antipathy against your man, he rather likes him; used some strong terms of commendation, and says that unless by some slip nothing will appear to his personal disadvantage. Indeed, he seemed to agree to my hint that he might best avoid sneering at any one who was a favorite with any so as to keep all in good humor. He would like very well to get your man in. The whole question is, Who's most likely to win? "He is in trouble about the feud in Ohio; thinks Vallandigham more of a man than Pendleton. Wishes something done to reconcile the feud. "He says the Democrats will deserve a thrashing if they nominate one day earlier than the last day to which the act can be postponed. "Train all your men, keep all their friends in hope till it's too late to back out, and then try to nominate, with a sole view to victory, is his advice. "Y'rs, "O'C." R. C. ROOT TO TILDEN (SUGGESTS TILDEN AS A CANDIDATE FOR THE PRESIDENCY) "_Private._ "NEW YORK, _10 Feb., '68_. "DEAR SIR,--I have been reflecting on the subject of next Presidential nomination suggested by you the other evening, and am seriously of opinion that I know of no one more able, or who would nearer meet all the requirements of the present crisis than yourself. The selection of any such names as those you mentioned would bring up _old_ issues and prejudices, and _insure_ defeat; no one doubts your ability or integrity; you, I think, could cut loose from such old associations (for they will be fatal to any candidate on our side who _can't_ do it); _you_ have _not_ been worn out on antiquated platforms. Why can't such a nomination be made? I believe it would [be] acceptable to the country. "If you ask me if I think that you could be elected against Grant, I say _yes_, if the party won't force on you a platform that _says too much_--(if the devil ever possessed a sensible man, it is in getting up 'platforms'); not more than _three_ or four cardinal points, viz.: "1. Cheerfully accord freedom to the negro, and equality before the law; but no _universal_ negro suffrage, nor _domination_ of the negro over the white man.