"Since the date of my letter to you, I have observed in the papers very favorable comments by Horatio Seymour on the subject of your health and ability to stand for a Presidential nomination; and I have also observed sundry reviews, by other parties, of the same character--perhaps in all which it may be said that, while you are disinclined to deprive yourself of your home comforts and enjoyments, you have in no case been found to say positively that, if nominated by the convention, you would not accept. "I may add that Senator McDonald agreed heartily with the other gentlemen present at our dinner party that _no other name could command the support of the Democrats of the country that yours would_. "Under the circumstances, I beg to ask whether it would be agreeable to your feelings or wishes that I should say anything publicly in regard to the momentous issues briefly referred to in this correspondence. "I remain, my dear sir, "Your friend and servant, "CYRUS H. MCCORMICK." HENRY C. SEMPLE TO TILDEN "GILSEY HOUSE, NEW YORK, _April 23d, 1884_. "DEAR SIR,--I regret that your business engagements make it inconvenient for you to receive me for a few minutes, as I am obliged to set out for home on Thursday evening, and came on from Washington (where I have been in attendance on the Sup. Ct.) principally to see you. "You must be aware that the Democratic party will not even consider the question of selecting among candidates for the Presidency, unless satisfied that you will be incapable of entering on the discharge of the duties of the office when elected. "Sensible men in the party will not ask that you _consent_ to be a candidate, nor will they regard the fact that you decline to become a candidate. "Those who wish to see the Republican party maintained in power till we shall cease to have a Republican _government_ try to persuade the people that your health renders it _impossible_ for you to discharge the duties of the office. Those in our own party, who look to their own interests rather than to the good of the people, would also have us believe this. "Though comparatively a young man, I acted in 1848 as secretary of a meeting of distinguished men in the Senate who, indignant at Cass' answer in the question of slavery in the territories, proposed to bring out another Democratic candidate, so as to insure his defeat and teach the majority of the party a lesson. "They selected Littleton Waller Tazewell, of Virginia, and addressed him a letter, asking that he should become a candidate. I, as secretary, preceded this letter to him with a private letter, assuring him that in addition to the names of Yancey and others composing the committee, that the movement would be supported by Jefferson Davis and other leaders who would also write to him to urge his candidacy.