The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1868-06-20
An Old Letter from Gen. Grant.

Hon. Isaac N. Morris, an old and promi-
nent Democrat Of Quincy, ILL.,. who has re
peatedly been honored by his party by being
placed in high official position, having sew.
eral times represented his district in Con.
gress, made speech in Quincy, recently,
in which he declared that the highest welfare
Of the nation demands the election of Gen
eral Grant to the Presidency His speech
was carefully prepared, and an able one
Colonel Morris read to the audience the fol-
lowing letter from General Grant, written in
1864, in reply to query from himself whether
Grant would accept the Presidential nomi-
nation or not
NASHVILLE, Tenn, Jan. 20, 1864.
Hon. l. N. Morris-Dear Sir:-Your let.
ter of the 18th of December did not receive
until two days ago. receive many such,
but do not answer. Yours, however, is writ.
ten in such kindly spirit, and as you ask
for an answer, contidentially, will not with
hold it. Allow me to say, however, that
am not politician, never was, and hope
never to be, and could not write political
letter. My only desire is to serve the coun-
try in her present trials. 70 do this eff
GENTLY it is necessary to have the confidence
of the army and the people. know no
way to better secure this end than by faith
full performance Of my duties. SO long as |
holu my PIeSeht Iositioi 10 not DenCVe
that have the right to criticise the policy
Or orders of those above me, or to give ut.
terance to views of my own except TO the
authorities at Washington, through the Cen
eral-in- Chief of the Army. In this respect
| know | have proven myself good sol.
der"
In your letter you say that have it in nv
power to be the next President. This is the
last thing in the world that | desire.
would regard such a contamination as being
highly unfortunate for myself, if not for the
country. Through Providence | have at
tanned to more than | ever hoped, and with
the position now hold in the Regular Army,
if allowed to retain it, will be more than
satisfied. | certainly shall never shape
sentiment, or the expression of d thoug ht,
with view of being candidate for Office
scarcely know the inducement that could
be held out to me to accept Office, and
unhesitatingly say that infinitely prefer my
present position to that of any civil office
within the gift of the people.
This is private letter to you, not intended
for others to see or read, because | want to
avoid being heard from by the public except
through acts in the performance of my legit
innate duties.
have the honor to be, very respectfully,
your obedient servant, U. s. GRANT.
This letter Of General Grant portrays his
modesty, his wisdom, his devotion to Duty
his unambitious nature. his fidelity to the
public interests, his simplicity of character,
his firmness, his unerring foresight, his
greatness of soul, his moral grandeur of
character. He could not, indeed, then have
been spared from the army. He had great
work to perform, and no allurement of civil
promotion could tempt him from it. But
the war is now ended, and the people de-
mand that in the same spirit with which he
subdued the rebellion he shall take charge
of the civil administration OF the Govern.
ment. They know that he will be safe de-
pository Of power, and on his election the
hopes of the nation depend.