"MY DEAR SIR,--I have given the best attention in my power to the matters mentioned yesterday. "1. My mind is fully and conclusively made up as to the convention. I will not attend it for this single reason. The post of duty on these occasions is _that_ in which one can be most useful. In my opinion this little use of my nativity is the proper _venue_ for my action. Appoint me, if you like, give me a respectable alternate, and I will write _him_ a letter. "2. I think it would be very inexpedient to take Mr. Green out of the city for 24 hours. He ought _not_ to go to Rochester. "3. I have little knowledge of Connolly, and no access to him, nor would I be willing to have any. Consider: "1. Must you not in resolutions, etc., body forth the determination to compel robbers to disgorge and even to inflict punishment, etc.? "2. Will 'Slippery Dick' stick to his integrity steadily for weeks, in the face of a hazard like this? "Therefore, "3. Is it not desirable to strike whilst the iron is hot, get a resignation and the appointment of 'Handy Andy,' as I perceive the slow wits of the opposition begin to call him? It is not a bad name, and might do a man good who sought preferment, if he could get it to stick. Handy Andy blundered, to be sure, but he was faithful and honest in the last degree, and his blunders were true Irish bulls; they excited merriment, thus doing good to the souls and bodies of the observers; a certain _naïve_ wit hung around each erroneous conception that evinced a good motive; besides, there was in each a singular approximation to cleverness and a kind Providence always effectively gainsaid any actual evil in the results. "Yrs. truly, "CH. O'CONOR." "_Mr. Tilden._" S. J. TILDEN TO FRANCIS KERNAN (TELEGRAM) "(_Sept. 30, 1871._) "TO HON. FRANCIS KERNAN, Utica: "Anti-Tammany organizations letter received. All have united on delegation headed by Charles O'Conor and Oswald Ottendorfer, and filled by our strongest representative citizens. Nearly all will personally attend. O'Conor gives his soul to the movement, and considers compromise as equivalent to ruin in State and nation. That is also my opinion. Action and not words can save us, but it must be complete and decisive action, and must fully satisfy the public opinion and the immense masses who now accept our lead and are strong enough to carry us through to success. We have no danger except in half-measured and half-hearted counsels." CH. O'CONOR TO TILDEN "_Oct. 2, 1871._ "DEAR SIR,--I have not time to call upon you this morning, although I wish to see you very much. "If you should be in Wall St. early, perhaps you will step in. "I wish to show you my letter. It may not be altogether satisfactory to you, and, if not, perhaps it should not be sent.