"In my judgment, Mr. O'Conor was the greatest jurist among all the English-speaking race. He carried the best spirit of philosophical inquiry into every professional investigation.
"In variety of resources, in every form of experience, participating in every important legal controversy during fifty years, with unexampled power of discrimination and memory, he had a vast mass of information on every professional subject.
"He was a man of lofty integrity and honor, and scorned all idea of making his professional abilities the means of acquiring money.
"His character is worthy of a more elaborate tribute than I have the opportunity to pay to him in the brief time of your call."
JOHN A. McCLERNAND TO TILDEN
"Springfield, ILL., June 5th, 1884.
"To His Excellency, Samuel J. Tilden, President-Elect.
"Dear Sir,—The crime which defeated the will of the people in 1876, and kept you from exercising the Presidential office needs to be avenged.
"Time and your example have subdued and conciliated all factious opposition to you in the Democratic party. The opponents of former years are now your most noisy partisans. Your nomination in July will follow as a spontaneous and consentaneous act unless you prevent it.