Memphis Daily Appeal

Recollections of One of His Schoolmates—His Early Oratorical Efforts—The Boy Father of the Man.

His Inflexibility as an Executive—His Surroundings—Gossip in Regard to His Family.

Mr. Charles M. Hall, a lawyer of this city, says the New York World, who was born and brought up in the town of New Lebanon, Columbia county, New York, and whose early home was within a quarter of a mile of Mr. Tilden's, gives the following reminiscences of the boyhood of our next President: Mr. Hall and Mr. Tilden lived in the same school district, and consequently attended the same school. Mr. Tilden's father was one of the wealthiest men in the town. He had acquired his fortune by his own exertions, and had the reputation of being an upright, shrewd and able business man. Mr. Tilden's mother was an estimable woman, and was celebrated for her charity, being particularly kind to the poor and sick of the neighborhood. Young Tilden was a student, his father's wealth enabling him to avail himself of every educational advantage. At school he was exceedingly studious, seeming to prefer his books to the sports and pastimes of his schoolmates. He rarely joined in outdoor games, and was generally considered a retiring youth. His schoolfellows, while acknowledging his superior abilities, had no feelings of jealousy or envy toward him, for the reason that he was never boastful nor ever evinced a consciousness of his superiority. He was invariably kind and courteous, yet always dignified. He spent nearly every moment of his school hours in reading or studying. At one time what was known as a high "school was kept in a house in which one of Mr. Tilden's brothers now lives. "Sam" Tilden, as he was familiarly called by the boys, did not attend the sessions of this school, but took private lessons with the principals, and at this time Mr. Tilden was fifteen or sixteen years old. At the close of one of the sessions of this school a public exhibition was given. The exercises consisted of reading, declamation, etc. It was privately arranged between the principals and young Tilden that the latter should take part. The day came and the exercises passed off according to the programme until "Sam" Tilden advanced to the platform and began the delivery of the well-known piece, entitled "Lord Marmion." Every one present was breathless with astonishment, for it was young Tilden's first attempt at public speaking, and his retiring disposition had caused those who knew him to have doubts as to his eventual success as an orator. His declamation proved to be the feature of the occasion, and was the subject of conversation round about. His reputation as an elocutionist was established among his friends, and ever after on such occasions "Sam" Tilden was required to take a prominent part. Young Tilden next attended a private school or academy in the town of Lenox, Berkshire county, where his associates soon acknowledged that he was far ahead of them in learning and ability, and made the admission without the least envy. Two or three years afterward he joined a debating society or "club" which met in a building about a mile distant from Mr. Tilden's home. Semi-political and social subjects and topics of the day were discussed. Most of Mr. Tilden's fellow-debaters were older than he, but many of them were worsted by him in the frequent contests. In fact, he was the principal attraction of the debates, as every one far and near had great curiosity to know "what 'Sam' Tilden had to say on the subject." His original ideas, and logical, direct and practical manner of presenting them, were remarked by all who listened to him. Among his fellow-contestants were S. Milton Skinner, a prominent Whig, and afterward a Republican, who, in after years, moved to Illinois, and became recorder of the county in which he lived; Henry Wood, of New Lebanon; the Gilbert brothers, one of whom, Nelson Gilbert, became a prominent Whig and Republican, and who now lives in Washington City, and Dr. Stephen D. Hand, of Binghamton, New York, who was a member of the constitutional convention of 1866. One winter alternate debates were held at the district schoolhouse and the rooms of the debating club, when the interest in the contests became widespread, greatly owing to Mr. Tilden's popularity as a debater. His voice was excellent in those days, better, if anything, than it has been in later years. The debating club is still in existence. During the years 1845 and 1846 Mr. Hall lived in Albany, and was quite intimately acquainted with Governor Silas Wright. They had many conversations in which the subject of Mr. Tilden's public actions was frequently introduced. Governor Wright always expressed the greatest faith and admiration for Mr. Tilden, and laid particular stress upon the conviction that Mr. Tilden was a man of extraordinary ability and of the strictest integrity and honesty of character—always bound to serve the best interests of the people without regard to personal or party considerations. In proof of this Governor Wright related the following incident, which occurred when Mr. Tilden was a member of the legislature and Mr. Wright was governor:

A prominent Democratic member drew up a bill which he proposed to introduce. He showed the bill to his Democratic colleagues, some of whom expressed the opinion that if passed it would be beneficial in its effects to the Democratic party. The bill was shown to Mr. Tilden, who examined it closely. He told its framer that the bill was wrong in principle, and if passed would wrong the people at large. He urged that no steps be taken for its introduction, and firmly declared that if it should be introduced he would oppose its passage with all his might. This was the end of the bill. It was killed simply by the opposition of Mr. Tilden. Governor Wright after relating this incident predicted that Mr. Tilden was destined to "make his mark" in the world. Mr. Hall was in Albany during the session of the constitutional convention, and listened to many of Mr. Tilden's arguments. In his opinion the amendments to the constitution in reference to the canals would never have been adopted if it had not been for the efforts of Mr. Tilden and Mr. Michael Hoffman. He also thought that Mr. Tilden's efforts prevented the adoption of unjust and oppressive amendments regulating the right of suffrage.