"ROCHESTER, N. Y., _Feb. 6", 1886_.
"HON. SAMUEL J. TILDEN.
"MY DEAR FRIEND,--This is _my_ birthday, and, as I
remember, _yours_. I see in the papers they say you were born on
the 9th of Feb. But I dare not place much reliance on what some
newspapers say of you.
"Seventy-nine is not eighty. Eighty is considered _old_. While it
is unsafe for us at this age to make plans for the future, we may
contemplate the past, and that is what I am doing to-day.
"Among those who took active part in the _Free-soil_ movement of
1848, you were an able leader. Your associates, _Wright_, _Gardner_,
_Van Buren_, and many others from whom I took counsel, are gone. You
among the larger, myself among the less important of that band of
noble patriots, are left to enjoy the consolation of doing what we
could at that early day to check the growth and extension of slavery.
"The _present_ I regard with fear and apprehension, and I have
recently written to, and received an answer from, our _inaugurated_
President, whose administration I heartily approve, and I now
address the _uninaugurated_ President to say one word of approval to
him also.
"You should encourage, by word and deed, our President to hold
fast to the pledges in the Democratic platform, to _Civil Service_
especially.
"The times are trying the metal of our President. The army on whom
the people rely for defence are greatly demoralized.
"The _veterans_ are nearly all _dead_, the _regulars_ are
_skirmishing_ for votes, and recruits are _few_.
"Pardon me for this rambling letter. Don't trouble yourself to
answer me.
"The times, the time (Feb. 6"), all conspired to move me to write
you.
"May you live to see many a birthday, as I hope to.
"With great respect, I am,
"Your friend and obt. svt.,
"HIRAM SIBLEY."