The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1875-06-02
TIE PRESIDENTS LETTER.
The Significance Of the EX-
ecutive Document.
General Nathaniel P. Banks EX-
presses an Opinion.


guests the Hon Nathaniel p. Banks, membsr OF
Congress from Massachusetts, who was yesterday
sought for, and. after much seeking, found at
nome. The General Is man OF unduestloned
courage, and under ordinary circumstances, such
as political campaign, would not hesitate TO de-
clare himself squarey upon Casarism or any
other ism. Just at this time, however,
while ne declines to converse upon the
subecI, ne does not hesitate to declare bis
opinion upon the present mixed state OF
poIlcs. HIS desire 10 AVOID any prominence Ia
the discussion of the Presidents recent letter TO
the ZION. Harry White rests merely upon his
ideas OF good taste. Upon the general subject OF
Cesarism he Is pronounced.
He welcomed the HERALD representative and
conversed IN the most satisfactory manner until
the subject OF the recent letter OF the President
was approached
POSITION is PRONOUNCED.
"lhe HERALD would be very glad TO give your
view in regard to the meaning and general scope
oil General Grants recent letter to the Chairman
or the Pennsylvania Republican Convention"
said the HERALD representative
'As do not believe that the letter affects The
great issue before the country in the slightest
degree,n SAID the G neral, II would rather not
90 into any particulars. NY position Is very
well understood upon this subject, ana for that
very reason can refrain from making any com
ments where others in my situation nignt think
best TO speak as plainly as the Pennsylvania Goa
veEtlon has aone.n
FRENCH UNDERSTAND OUR POLITICIANS.
"You would rather not satisfy my curiosity,
thenr' asked the HERALD man.
"rhe French people understand our politicians,
II they do not wholly comprehend eur politics."
replied General Banks. evasively; 'the editor OF
the Courier des Flats Unis in review OF the let
ter TO which you refer, says some very cunning
things in q decidedly Frencny way" me General
produced a copy OF the paper and read the para
graph, OF which the following Is free transa-
ton -
The candidature OF Mr. Grant Tor third
but oil record. To be sure. never asked Tor u
nrst term nor second; he does not even ask
Inlrd-sveryDody understands tnat-Dut he
allowed an outrage TO De committed on his feel
ings In the Grst Instance; the second time he
yielded unoer force OF circumstances, and as TO
the third, let happen what NAV, he viii, il neces-
sary, consummate Tne sacrifice. Poor Mister
nave discarded ais sword ana to nave pIped on a
shepherds pipe; and wouldn't II have been
beAulIIul spectacle Tor min 10 have realized the
ldyl o! remote Beotia:-
1ityre tn patu@ recubans sub tegmine fagL
He would not have been exacting. All he
wanted was Il quiet retreat and ne would have
they let him alone Instead OF this the migrate
full RepuoIic again annoJ ed him by iDr
It's endless calumnies ana big emouments.
Wei, since he mas drained the cup 10 tine ices he
that that ne can't avoid iti-ast as he ala me first
and second times. IL IS SAID tnat the examples OF
Jefferson ana Washington are precedents ana
their action Is regarded as o moral law VI the
country, but Mr. Grant knows no moral law.
Until the constitution 10 amended Mr. Grant sees
no reason way ne should not De reelected as
often as tne law allows.
"Ihat fellow hasn't struck very wide or the
mark" said the General. tossing down tue paper.
"You do not regard General Grants reelection
as an entirely impossible eventY"
II do not imply that 10 Is probable. but posi-
ble.m The General smiled blandly. and taking a
seat tilted back In mis- chair. 'Tns brtngs me TO
what may best be termed
THE PHILOSOPHY OF VOTING
sThe great privilege which we enjoy, called sur
frage, Is more OF mental curiosity tnan would at
first appear. Remember what have TO say in
this regard has nothing whatever to do with your
first question winch respectfully ask 10 DO ex-
cused from answering"
certainly, nothing Whatever said the HERALD
man.
"Tne philosophy OF voting rests upon curious
though palpable truth. namely, that few persons
vote In favor OF Inc men they like hest but rather
against the man whom they dislike, or, n you
choose, hate the most. Thus, as between TWO
candidates their relative merits really enter ony
slightly into the contest. Tne result OF all cleo
lions depends upon the personal record OF the
one candidate who is put up TO defeat the other.
Antithetical as these two sentences may appear,
they are readily understood by every politician.
For instance. II an unpopular or dangerous man
Is nominated for county once bis deieat
does not necessarily follow, because the ma
jorlty OF the voters have lost latin In
him The 'wielders OF me ballot may never
have had any faith 10 lose IN his opponent or he
may be utterly unknewn, 50 that, however un-
-.
familiar hypothesis that II Is wiser TO bear the
present Ills than AZ 10 those they know not or
me result-the unpopular Mayor, or justice OF
the Peace Is re elected, when q large majority y
be opposed to MIN. but are prevented from cast
ing their ballots opposition 10 MIN by the alter
native OF voting against a thoroughly corrupt or
utterly untried and unknown candidate or not
voting AZ aIl-wnIcn IL the next thing TO support
ing the man they do not want 10 see in ofice
again.
sHuN PUBLIC OFFICE. Young MAN
Il grasp the idea.u said the HERALD represent
tative.
al am glad you do; you're young yet and may
some day get mixed up in poitics.n said the snaye
General, sningy.
..Do you believe In what Is called the PHILOSOPHY
OF history, Generals ~
II don't think do. Bot why do you ask :"
querIed the polite most.
because, was gong TO involve the hypotheu-
cal justice of inc peace In one Of the ancient po-
nticaI squabbles OF Rome, ask a msre matter OF
fact and ABSTRACT question, and then obtain your
opinion upon another purely abstract historical
coincidencen
40, see," said the General "That was what
you were about to 90. Well, IRE away"
STRUGGLING WITH HISTORY.
suppose our imaginary candidate 10 have
written two letters and 70 have made one declara.
ton, all 10 the eject that he did not desire the
once Considered 10 the light OF the present
modesty and trutnfuness OF our statesmen-as
well as now common prsesdsnt-woulc tnis mean
anythlnasn
''Notninq. absolutely nothingn said the General,
vita sign.
aNow Tor the abatract Que stion Of history and