"You are the only man who can carry New York and fill the void that her loss would incur. "Now, I ask you, Mr. Tilden, to ponder well the refusal of yourself through friends for the candidacy of President. "Have you not placed yourself so high that you cannot refuse; cannot even afford to deny the right of your friends to run you for your just vindication? "Let your friends announce that you will accept the responsibility if nominated, however great the sacrifice, and your nomination is assured and your election certain. "With other candidate I fear the usual result: 'defeat.' You have builded well; your ability will not allow you to cease at the moment of your triumph. You stand upon the banks of Rubicon. Empire is beyond, wilderness behind. "Enemies delight in publishing your unalterable determination not to be a candidate; your friends cannot even say that you will accept the position if nominated. "In the past, as in the future, I will trust in your patriotism; and in your own due season, when the fruit be ripe, I trust and know that you will not fail to gather the harvest properly, honestly, and well. "Your obt. servant, "W. P. SCOTT." TILDEN TO WILLIAM ALLEN BUTLER "_Oct. 11/83._ "DEAR MR. BUTLER,--You are right in supposing that I do not fail to appreciate the motives of your suggestion in respect to the law school, but I am not prepared to say anything on the subject. "Very truly yours, "S. J. TILDEN." M. W. FULLER[29] TO W. H. BARNUM, CHAIRMAN OF NATIONAL DEMOCRATIC COMMITTEE [29] Present Chief Justice of the United States; appointed in April, 1888. "CHICAGO, _December 23, 1883_.