TILDEN TO CHARLES A. DANA
"Yonkers, N. Y., January 2, 1883.
"Dear Mr. Dana,—I reciprocate your good wishes for the New Year for both yourself and Mrs. Dana.
"I fear there is some danger that the unsettling of the established system in regard to the canals may lead to projects for enlargements which will be of no real utility, but mere pretences for a renewal of abuses.
"I send herewith a copy of my speech on the canals in the convention of 1867, which, I think, you once expressed a wish to see; and also a copy of my first Message which contains a passage on the same subject.[27]
"It is sad to think of Louis Blanc and Gambetta, who have just passed away. In September and October, 1877, when Mr. Bigelow and I were in Paris, we saw something of them. Louis Blanc was an intelligent, mild man of gentle manners, and with the air of a scholar or professor. Gambetta seemed to be an impersonation of great forces. I brought back a magnificent photograph of him, which I have been examining with fresh interest to-day. Both knew enough of American politics to sympathize with the view you take of the electoral transaction of 1876-7.
"Very truly yours."