TILDEN TO DANIEL MANNING
"Greystone, July 27—86.
"Dear Mr. Manning,—Your letter of the 26th is received.
"I have thought much of the nature of the communication which you wish to make, but have written nothing. Do you wish to say anything further than to announce your final purpose, and your reasons for it? The letter, it seems to me, will be short.
"I will try my hand on a draft and send it to you.
"No further intelligence has been received from our friend in Europe.
"I have been busy all the morning answering a letter from Mr. Fairchild.
"By what route do you intend to go to Watch Hill—across the country or by way of New York?
"Very truly yours,
"S. J. Tilden."
On the 4th day of August, and only eight days after the date of the preceding letter, I received the following telegram from George W. Smith, then Mr. Tilden's private secretary, and by his will to become one of his executors and Trustees:
"Greystone, Aug. 4, 1886.
"Mr. Tilden died this morning at 8."
S. J. T.
(Greystone, August 4, 1886.)
Once more, O all-adjusting Death!
The nation's Pantheon opens wide;
Once more a common sorrow saith
A strong, wise man has died.
Faults doubtless had he. Had we not
Our own, to question and asperse
The worth we doubted or forgot,
Until we stood beside his hearse?
Ambitious, cautious, yet the man
To strike down fraud with resolute hand;
A patriot, if a partisan,
He loved his native land.
So let the mourning bells be rung,
The banner droop its folds half-way,
And let the public pen and tongue
Their fitting tribute pay.
Then let us vow above his bier
To set our feet on party lies,
And wound no more a living ear
With words that Death denies.
John G. Whittier.