MAJOR-GENERAL HOOKER TO TILDEN
"Garden City, L. I., June 29th, '76.
"To his Excellency, Gov. Samuel J. Tilden.
"My dear Governor,—I cannot refrain from offering you my sincere congratulations on your nomination to the exalted office of the President of the United States. As a quiet observer of the political events of the nation, I know of no one in my day that has afforded me so much satisfaction, and sincerely hope and believe that the wisdom shown by the selection at St. Louis will be fully ratified by the great mass of our people in November next. We require reform in politics, religion, and morals, and I am convinced that we will receive them generously at your hands. The whole government of the nation has been corrupt—desperately corrupt—and the honor and glory of applying the antidote, I am convinced, will belong to you. If the fact of your nomination does not enhance the material values of the nation I am sure your election will do it. Already I seem to breathe a new atmosphere, as is the case with every well-wisher of the country.
Sincerely yours,
"J. Hooker."
CLARKSON N. POTTER TO TILDEN
"61 Wall St., N. Y., June 29, '76.
"My dear Governor,—Your letter was well received yesterday at Union College, and I am glad you sent it.
"I got down last evening just in time to hear of your nomination in the street and take into your house the news. Heaven grant you may be elected. The country needs that, far more than you do or can desire it.
"Faithfully yours,
"Clarkson N. Potter."