Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1872-08-29
HOw GRANT PROVIDES FOR HIM.
SELF

When Grant WAS approached by the Rad
icals to become their candidate for Presi-
dent in the contest Of 1865, he felt himself
IN position 10 demand terms and he did
so. 1t is susceptible Of proof that be bar
gained secretly for two Terms before be
agreed to accept their nomination. Col.
John w. Forney published in his Washing
ton paper, The Sunday ChrOHioiSon the 25.h
ofFebruary, 1872, on account Of the con-
ferences between himself and Gen. Rawlins
and others, through which Gen. Grant was
formally brought forward, Nov. ], 1867, as
a candidate for the Presidency. Col. For
ney wrote an article for the Philadelphia
Press aud Washington Chronicle recon-
mending Grant as q candidate, and before
it was printed showed It to Gen. Rawlins,
BY whom il was submitted to tho General.
The narrative continues as follows:
"When Rawlins came back from Grant
with the editorial, he told us with great
emphasis, sGeu Grant docs not want 10 be
President. He thinks the Republican party
HAY uc6u Glul, dl0 ltd bOllSNDo a. bhSiA
candidate be can be elected and reelected;
but said Raylins, 'wbat is TO become of
him, after his second Presidential term?
What, indeed, during his Administration?
He is receiving from seventeen TO twenty
thousand dollars year as General OF the
Armies of the Republic life salary. To
90 into the Presidency at $4,000 year
for eight years Is perhaps TO gain more
Is = ,h ~ him of fho
end Of his Presidency? Ho is not poltti-
clan. He does not aspire to the place.
Eight years from the S:h Of March, 1869, he
viii be about SO years old. OF course he
must spend his salary as President. 49,.
and mark il, if Grant takes anything from
the rich whose vast fortunes he has saved,
after he is President, be viii be accused as
the willing recipient Of gifts"
Thus it appears that the contingency of
retirement at the end of four years was not
even contemplated at that time, and before
Gen. Grant would allow his name to be
used be made regular bargain for sec
ond term Of Office. But it appears that his
bargaining for position had not stopped
here. II will be rsmembered that he sold
his house in Washington u Mr.. S. j. Bow
en-, then Mayor of the city, for $4,000.
BE afterwards ascertained that be could
sell 1t for $4,000 to number Of New
York gentlemen to be presented to Gen.
Sherman. He broke faith with Bowen, and
gave that gentleman a reason why he
wished to retain the property, which Mr..
Bowen states In communication printed
in the Washington Transcript, Aug. 10, as
followers:
81 certainly understood You to say that
you wished the mstter 10 remain open tor
a short period, as yOu had been gjuca TO M
derStdnd that Congress might legjSidte SO
as to reinstate you an your present position
as General after the expiration Of yoW
Presidential term. On no other account
did you ask or desire TO retain the prop
erty.'
Here then we have Grants assurance 10
Mr.. Bowen that he had been given to un'
derstsnd that he would be reinstated hi;
position as General of the army of the
United States upon the expiration Of hi:
Presidential term. Who gave him this as
surance? The men who had bargained
with him for two terms Of the Presidential
office? He was In Office for life when he
accepted the Radical nomination for Presl
dent, and he appears TO have thought he
ought to be continued In Office for life, and
that Congress ought to legislate to reinstatt
him in the military position he held wher
elected to civil Office. The matter mus
have been canvassed and something like al
understanding arrived at, by which Gran
was to be provided for after the expiration
of his Presidential term, or be misrepre
scented the facts to Mr.. Bowen. Who wer'
the parties TO this bargain?