"If he should attempt the narrow and futile scheme, urged upon him by those who are neither his friends nor the friends of his cause--of carrying out his policy through the exclusive agency of the Republican party, in case he can capture it and convert it to his purposes--he will find his machine turned against him in the hour of his need. He will find himself, like the unfortunate object of Turkish jealousy, tied up in a bag, to be silently strangled. I do not doubt that he will act on the larger policy which would have governed Andrew Jackson or Henry Clay under like circumstances. He will cast himself upon the whole body of our people, leaving parties and organizations to take care of themselves. He will be triumphantly sustained. "The Democratic party should pursue a liberal policy in all its action, and accept as brethren all who stand with it on the present issue. It is too powerful to be jealous. It has too great a motive in the restoration of its own traditional principles of government to an ascendency in the councils of the country, which they made great, prosperous, and happy, to think of anything less grand or less noble. "With much respect, I remain, gentlemen, "Y'rs truly, "S. J. TILDEN." TILDEN TO FRANCIS KERNAN "_Personal._ "_July, 1868._ "MY DEAR SIR,--I had no agency in getting Gov. Seymour into his present scrape, though I would have been glad of his nomination if his consent could have been freely given. I yielded to his wishes out of tender regard for him. And I feel now that I am the last man who can with delicacy bring a pressure to bear upon him; but my judgment is that acceptance, under present circumstances, would not compromise his reputation for sincerity or be really misunderstood by the people; that the case is not analogous to the former instances which have made criticism possible; that the true nature of the sacrifice would be appreciated; while, on the other hand, the opposite course would be more likely to incite animadversion; that, on the whole, acceptance is the best thing. I think a decision is necessary; for it is not possible to go thro' the canvass with a candidate declining. I am sincerely willing to accept such action as will be most for the honor of our friend; at the same time my personal wishes favor acceptance. You may express for me so much in this respect as you find necessary and think proper. In haste, but Truly yours, "S. J. TILDEN." R. W. LATHAM[51] TO TILDEN "WASHINGTON, _July 13, 1868_. "MY DEAR SIR,--I tried to see you before leaving New York last week, but failed to do so. "It is vastly important for you to have the reporters of the press of this city, who make the views and give the tone to every important newspaper in the country. They are now in an organized state, and if _done at once_ can be controlled for Seymour and Blair.