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."