FRANCIS KERNAN TO TILDEN
"Utica, Sept. 12, 1874.
"My dear Sir,—I came home from Binghamton to-day, where I have been several days. I see the opposition to you has taken a new phase within a few days. Your opponents are seeking to have you resign in favor of Judge Church. I do not think you can now do so with propriety. The matter of a candidate for Governor has been canvassed for weeks; it has been understood by us all that Judge Church would not take a nomination; there were many reasons why, being chief justice, he should not vacate the position and leave it to be filled by appointment for a year. Your name has been canvassed, and your friends have taken strong ground in favor of your nomination; now those who have been opposed to you, not your friends, ask you to retire that Judge Church may be nominated. In my judgment you should not take the responsibility of this step; the matter has progressed so far that I think you should leave the matter to your friends and the convention which is about to assemble. I see no other way out of the matter but in thus acting.
"The delegates in this district were elected to-day. The one from the city will vote for you, and the others also, as I believe.
"From all I can learn I think the convention will be in favor of your nomination. I shall be at Syracuse Tuesday evening.
Yours, in haste,
"Francis Kernan."