"It results that the Democratic party, more readily than the Republican party, can be molded to the support of reform measures which involve a sacrifice of selfish interests. "The indispensable necessity of our times is a change of administration in the great executive offices of the country. This, in my judgment, can only be accomplished by the election of the Democratic candidates for President and Vice-President. "SAMUEL J. TILDEN. "_To R. H. Henry, Chairman; B. B. Smalley, and others, of the Special Committee of the Democratic National Convention._" W. H. BARNUM TO TILDEN "_Telegram._ "CHICAGO, ILL., _July 4, 1884_. "HON. SAMUEL J. TILDEN, YONKERS, N. Y. "There is much thought here about nominating you by acclamation. Will you accept an unanimous nomination from the convention? "W. H. BARNUM. "(Rec'd 6.30 A.M., July 5th.)" DANIEL MANNING TO S. J. TILDEN "_Telegram._ "CHICAGO, ILL., _July 4th, 1884_. "HON. SAMUEL J. TILDEN, YONKERS, N. Y. "It seems absolutely necessary that you should answer Barnum's telegram of this evening as soon as possible. "DANIEL MANNING. "(Rec'd 6.30 A.M., July 5th.)" TILDEN TO WILLIAM H. BARNUM "_Telegram._ "GREYSTONE, _July 5th, 1884_. "TO HON. WILLIAM H. BARNUM, CHICAGO, ILLINOIS. "I have received your telegram informing me of the disposition to nominate me for the Presidency and asking, 'Will you accept an unanimous nomination from the convention?'--and also a telegram from Mr. Manning saying, 'It seems absolutely necessary that you (I) should answer Barnum's telegram as soon as possible.' "Your inquiry was explicitly answered in the negative by my letter of June 10th to Mr. Manning. "S. J. TILDEN." Attached to these telegrams was the following pencil memorandum in a strange handwriting, and presumably a suggested modification of the despatch actually sent: "If the convention should nominate me, I should consider it as intended merely to acquit the Democratic party of any shortcomings in respect to the fraudulent possession of the government in 1876, and with the knowledge that I would not accept the nomination." CHARLES A. DANA TO TILDEN (WISHES TO STUDY MR. TILDEN'S PERSONAL AND POLITICAL HISTORY) "'THE SUN,' NEW YORK, _July 18, 1884_. "DEAR MR. TILDEN,--In the desperate situation in which presumption and incompetence have involved the Democratic party, I feel a natural desire to study more closely and to know more thoroughly the model of genuine Democratic statesmanship. "Could you put me in possession of the facts and records of your own personal and political history, so that I may examine them at such leisure times as I may be able to rescue from my absorbing daily occupations? "I wish for this not alone for my own instruction and gratification, but that I may be enabled, as occasion requires, to present the truth accurately to the public, and to discuss the principles involved with knowledge and effect.