SAML. WARD TO TILDEN
(WANTS GOVERNOR TO ASSIST EVARTS IN UNVEILING STATUE OF DANIEL WEBSTER)
"Private.
"Brevoort House, 24th Nov., 1876.
"Dear Mr. President-elect,—A cat may look at a king, and an old fossil like myself may offer a suggestion to a much wiser man.
"I humbly suggest that you assist at Evarts' oration to-morrow, upon the unveiling of the Webster statue in Central Park.
"If he meditates mischief your presence will check him, and if he intends preaching from the Constitution it will encourage him. If he carries out the doctrine of State-rights as against Conkling's speech of last winter, he covertly justifies nullification and secession.
"Yours faithfully,
"Saml. Ward.
"His Excellency Governor Tilden, President-elect."