TILDEN TO HON. STILSON HUTCHINS
"15 Gramercy Park, New York, March 26, 1881.
"My dear Sir,—I had seen the article, a slip of which you have kindly sent me, and also another similar article of yours largely copied.
"You are entitled to great credit for your faithful vindication of the rights of the Democratic party, and the interests of the people in respect to the election of 1876.
"I never considered the question as at all personal to myself. It seemed to be a duty cast upon me by events to represent the public grievance until the Democratic party and the people had an opportunity to take the matter into their own hands. That duty was very onerous, and certain to be prolific of nothing but sacrifices; and though I would not retire from it, I was glad when it was completed, and I was discharged of responsibility for all consequences of the violation of the elective principle, whatever they made hereafter prove to be.
Very truly yours,
"S. J. Tilden."