The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1875-06-07
Congressman Willis Reading Be-
tween the Lines.
Views of Senator Thurman on the Cele-
brated Document.
OPINION OF SENATOR CLAYTON.
An Expression from General Grant Before
His Original Nomination.

States, Judge Edwards Pierrepont believes Presl-
dent Grant TO be a good soldier, wise Executive
officer and honest and patriotic man. and he
has staked great deal upon this opinion. His
admiration for the President led him from the
democratic into the republican party ana induced
him to spend prncely sum toward defraying the
expenses OF the campaign OF 1868, which ended
with the first election OF General Grant to the
Presidency. Since that event he has. pre-
sumably, been familiar with the phenomena
OF the Executive mind. Hence 1t was that the
writer called upon him to procure an explanation
OF that extraordinary letter which the President
recently wrote to General Harry White, the Chair
man OF the Pennsylvania Republican State Con-
vention. Judge Pierrepont's New York residence
is at No. 103 Fifth avenue, ana there the reporter
found the Attorney General about eight O'Clock IN
the evening. lie ,suave in manner, and
his appearance Indicated that ne was
at peace with himself and the world.
lie seated himself comfortably IN an
easy chair, and spoke OF several slight matters IN
order 10 approach easily the special topic which
he expected the reporter to bring into the
versalion. This the latter did speedily as pos
sibe by saying, "Judge, the HERALD would like TO
know what you think OF President Grants third
term letter TO General WhIteW
al think, said the Attorney General,
.'IT SAYS WHAT THE PRESIDENT MEANS;
but l can tell you very little about the document
beyond the fact that it was approved by many
prominent gentlemen"
"But to the ordinary reader, Judge,n said the
reporter, ut is vague and variable paper. One
portion of 1t apparently contradicts the otncr II
you would kindly explain 1t the people generally
would perhaps be convinced that the President
says in his letter Just what he means, and at the
same time they would learn what he means.n
WELL" said the new Attorney General ''the
appear oracular or propneuc. He did not like
TO seem TO peer into the future. 1t would not
be proper for him TO say unquaInedly that he
could never again be candidate for the Presi-
dency. How could he, without assuming the
ridiculous manner OF a prophet, say that no cir
cumstances would ever arise to make him again a
canodate2 IL was, then, out OF his desire TO avoid
prophetic style that ne penned the paragraph
alluded TO. believe that President Grant does
not desire to be President again. All his plans, as
they are known 10 me, have reference TO other
probabilities. My own Judgment is that his name
will not DC mentioned In the next Republican
National Convention as that OF o possible candl.
date Tor the Executive position. l believe that
our next candidate for the Presidency will be
somebody VINO Is not thought or II has
been Re rule, almost, that the successful candi-
dates for the Presidency we're lighted upon for
tuitously, or we're
FORCED UPoN THE PARTIES
by accidental circumstances. not by toe work OF
years In the public civil service Mr.. Lincoln's
nomination is an exemplincation or this; James
X Polk and Franklin Pierce were both chosen
without forethought by the conventions which
nominated them. All three we're scarcely heard
Of before they we're nominated. When Mr.. LIN
coin was first named In the Convention OF 1850
very few or the members OF That body had ever
heard his name. Yet he was nominated, and then
everybody discovered what great man he was.
Ii was Immediately learned that he had made a
campaign against Douglas, during which he had
delivered verT brilliant addresses. | had never
heard or Mr. Lincoln before that tie. IL IL only
when nan leaps into prominence suddenly
that people discover that be has always been
great man and deserved reward"
Mr.. Plerrepont conunued:-"My present i'm
preston Is that at the next Presidential election,
or certainly at the following II, there Will be
candidate in support OF whom all parties viii
agree. / think that
SECOND ERA OF GOOD PEELNG,
is approaching, and thar, as in Monroe's time, we
shall soon hate a President who will DO the choice
OF the people literally. The strong, patriotic SEN
tment which Is being aroused by the revival OF
memories OF the Revolutionary period Is am
convinced, working toward this end.r
A picture OF good viii ana political content
ment among the people was apparently unrolled
before the vision OF Mr.. Pierrepont, and
ne leaned back as II TO look at IL more
easily aud calmly. The reporter took ad-
vantage OF MS momentarY Abstraction to
revert 10 the original subjects OF remark-Presi.
dent Grant and MS queer letter-and, therefore.
said :-''You do not think. then, tnat General
Grant cnershcs wish to be again renominated,
and you believe that he desired TO avoid being set
down as playing at prophecy when he wrote that
special paragraph in MS letter :"
IL believe that ne did not desire 10 predict any
thing; that ne only wished TO overcome present
false impressions. lie has told me his plans for the
iuiure, ana cannot consider that he has concealed
ANYTHING from me. II nc mas wish to pc Prest-
dent again ne must also have capabiIity for de-
cepuon suca as no other ever had before
him.
CONGRESSMAN WILLIS on GRANTS EPIsTLE-
The widespread interest which the ingenious
letter or General Grant has created among ali our
pablo men is clearly reflected in the views OF
Colonel Benjamin A. WINS, Congressman-elect, as
given yesterday 20 a reporter OF the HERALD.
colonel, pray tell me what you mink OF General
Grants last epistolary efrort2r
"A SPECIAL PLEAn
Il think it IS special plea, Intended TO be very
ingenious and framed with view OF misleading
people 10 It's real purpose. Right the outset,
by tie way, General Grant shows want OF COM
prcncnslon to MS duty when he says that it Is
beneath the dignity u a citizen OF the Republic,
no matter how exalted hts position may be, TO
state precisely his views any question Of public
interest, and more especially one so momcntous
as the third tcrm.n
'Wnat 10 you think OF his willingness TO serve
his country again under certain circumstances ~
GRANTS nANkERiNG AFTER OFFICE.
he wa ion fltereUarl ~ tho sacrad
ditious o. American history, AMI those most hignly