"I am too ill to attend the convention. My judgment is that on no account should you withdraw your name as candidate for Governor. Better suffer defeat. Circumstances seem to me to require it, and I submit it with my best wishes. "N. W. PARKER." TILDEN TO HON. A. BIRDSALL "NEW YORK, _Sept. 19, 1874_. "MY DEAR SIR,--I take the earliest occasion, on my return home, to thank you for the timely and friendly tone of yours of the 11th. "It may be that there is much in the speculations you make as to the causes of the sudden and active opposition to my nomination. If so, it is very foolish. Nothing is gained to an individual and much is lost to a party by forecasting so far in advance of time and events. That I never do. Mr. Wright once said to me that men who fix their eye on a distant object are apt to fail to see the sticks and stones in the path immediately before them, and to stumble and fall. "The truth is, I did not come to entertain the idea of taking a nomination until the 21st of Aug. Like yourself, I have seen everything. There are no illusions in my mind in respect to public life. I know that peace, content, and happiness are only in a private station; and it is wholly exceptional in me to do what I am now doing. "I shall be happy to hear from you whenever it may suit your convenience to write. "In the mean time, believe me, &c., "S. J. TILDEN." HORATIO SEYMOUR TO TILDEN "UTICA, _Sept. 20, 1874_. "MY DEAR SIR,--I have read with pleasure your speech made at the serenade. It is clear and able. It was a better time to make it than in the convention, as it would have interrupted its action when all was going on well. But there are reasons why you should not make any more speeches. If you do you must speak about national affairs, as you cannot talk about yourself. This will turn away attention from the points we wish to keep in men's minds. It will also put you into antagonism with many Republicans who are disposed to vote for you for home reasons. As matters stand, you can make no speech which will help you with those we hope to gain from the other side. You will also draw upon yourself the fire of journals which are disposed to beat you fairly. I am clear that the true policy is to look after organizations, etc. I will write again soon. "Truly yours, &c., "HORATIO SEYMOUR." P. H. COWEN TO TILDEN (ADVICE VOLUNTEERED BUT NOT FOLLOWED) "COWEN'S LAW OFFICE, NO. 15 TOWN HALL BUILDING, "SARATOGA SPRINGS, N. Y., _Sept. 21, 1874_.