W. P. SCOTT TO TILDEN
"Personal.
"New Orleans, Sept. 16th, 1883.
"Dear Sir,—There come times in men's lives when, it matters not how carefully they have builded, how deep the structure strikes its foundations, or how critically material shall have been selected, all fail if the keystone be not placed skilfully, in season, and well.
"In these States, your sagacity, ability, firmness, and all that pertains to stamp the man as leader, is recognized to such an extent that it renders success impossible to any but yourself. The scheme of politicians may succeed in party conventions, but when candidates nominated by the party appear 'in the fierce light that beats around the throne,' the Democracy will soon find that the voters have discovered that a stronger element has been discarded than won, if you be not nominated.
"In 1880 success was impossible without your name for President, and the case applies with equal vigor at this moment. Since your resignation of its command, drift has been its policy, blunder its action.
"In '74, when nominated for Governor of your State, a Republican majority of 50,000 stared you in the face; your former efforts in the interests of reform nominated you; you had builded well.
"The 14th of September, '74, in this city, drew aside the full curtain and allowed the American people to view the workings of Republican reconstruction in the South; showed how hollow the Republican State government was, and committed the general government to the 'bayonet policy' more absolutely than ever. The people of Louisiana appealed to the nation, through the mouths of cannon, to free her of her oppressors, who were at the moment attempting to deny the right of citizens to keep and bear arms. The leader of that movement was Fred N. Ogden whom C. A. Burke is now vigorously opposing for the Governorship of this State, which nomination takes place in a few months and the election in April, '84. When the convention meets it will in all probability elect delegates to the national convention.
"Two years before your nomination the Democratic party was not able to place a candidate in the field for President, and in '76 elected a President. Louisiana contributed her eight votes to yourself, and maintained, through Fred N. Ogden, on the 9th of January, '77, the genuineness of her vote by destroying every opposition to the Nicholls government, and compelling Hayes to stamp his election as fraudulent without recourse.
"When your election for Governor took place the people were not disappointed, and your reforms heightened the enthusiasm engendered by the campaign of '74, and made your nomination certain for the highest office in the gift of the people. You know much better than myself the causes of its end, and suffice to say that, in my opinion, your patriotism came to me in a stronger and purer light than ever before by your action in not precipitating a civil war of unknown consequences.
"At this moment the situation of the Democratic party is this, in my opinion:
| Electoral votes South | 153 | |
| New Jersey | 9 | |
| Connecticut | 6 | |
| New York | 36 | —51 |
| 204 | ||
| Majority | 3 |
"You are the only man who can carry New York and fill the void that her loss would incur.
"Now, I ask you, Mr. Tilden, to ponder well the refusal of yourself through friends for the candidacy of President.
"Have you not placed yourself so high that you cannot refuse; cannot even afford to deny the right of your friends to run you for your just vindication?
"Let your friends announce that you will accept the responsibility if nominated, however great the sacrifice, and your nomination is assured and your election certain.
"With other candidate I fear the usual result: 'defeat.' You have builded well; your ability will not allow you to cease at the moment of your triumph. You stand upon the banks of Rubicon. Empire is beyond, wilderness behind.
"Enemies delight in publishing your unalterable determination not to be a candidate; your friends cannot even say that you will accept the position if nominated.
"In the past, as in the future, I will trust in your patriotism; and in your own due season, when the fruit be ripe, I trust and know that you will not fail to gather the harvest properly, honestly, and well.
"Your obt. servant,
"W. P. Scott."