Democratic Sentinel, Volume 3, Number 51, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 30 January 1880 — LETTER FROM TILDEN. [ARTICLE]

LETTER FROM TILDEN.

To the E«sex County (N. J.) Democratic Club. Gentlemen: I regret that I shall not be able to attend your dinner on Jan. 8, in commemoration of the services of Andrew Jackson, not so much in the great victory by which he rescued the southwestern part of our county from the foreign invader as in the 3xatnple of" Jtfi aormnist ration of the Government on its true principles. While he maintained tho integrity of the country against the public enemy, and suppressed nullification and secession at home, he was opposed to usurpation of powers by the Federal Government in derogation of the rights of individuals or localities, and in violation of the constitution. On one memorable occasion he said : “It is to be regretted that the rich and powerful too often bend the acts of government to their selfish purposes. Distinction in society will always exist under every just Government. Equality of talents, of education, or of wealth cannot be produced by human institutions. In the full enjoyment of the gifts of heaven and the fruits of superior industry, economy and virtue, every man is equally entitled to protection by law. But when the laws undertake to add to these natural and just advantages artificial distinctions, to grant titles, gratuities and exclusive privileges—to make the rich richer and the potent more powerful—the humble members of society, the farmers, mechanics and laborers, who have neither the time nor the means of securing like favors to themselves, have a right to complain of the injustice of their Government. There are no necessary eviis in government. Its evils exist only in its abuses. If it would confine itself to equal protection, and, as heaven does its rains, shower its favors alike on the high and the low, the rich and the poor, it would be an unqualified blessing.” “Nor is our Government to be maintained or our Union preserved by invasion of the rights and powers of the several States. In thus attempting to make our General Government strong wo make it weak. Its true strength consists in leaving individuals and States as much as possible to themselves; in making itself felt, not in its power, but in its beneficence; not in its control, but in its protection; not in binding the States more closely to its center, but leaving each to move unobstructed in its proper orbit.” Tendering you tho assurances of my esteem, 1 am very truly yours,

S J. TILDEN.