The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1875-07-01
Great but not Ambitious.

Great but not ambitious.
In expressing his intention not to be can
didate for third term, President Grant, with
! that frank simplicity which always character
ICES his language, said: 81 do not want it any
more than 1 did the first. ! would not write
OF utter word to change the will Of the peo-
pie in expressing and having their choice"
This language has been made the text for
countless attacks upon the President. IEe las
been represented by the Democratic and So
/ called Independent press. as man OF inordi-
nate ambition, who sought his first nomination,
and obtained his second, through the power
and influence Of his high military position.
These journals refuse to accept his letter as
decaratory Of his intention to retire to pri-
vate life, and insist that he is as ambitious to
serve third term as he was to serve the
first We commend to the attention Of these
journals letter written by General Grant in
1864, at time when personal ambition, if it
had been controlling element of his nature,
would have shown itself.
The tone of the letter is one Of exalted pa
triotism, and in the light of his recent utter
ances, affords u key to the Presidents true
character. He never desired a first term. He
accepted it as he did the second, through a sense
of duty to his country. AS he said in his re-
cent letter, II was made to believe that the
public good called me to make the sacrifice"
We present the following letter, Because it
gives us q better Insight into the character OF
the President, than we could possibly obtain
from 4 document intended for the public eye.
Its pointed illusions to the Presidency will
make it acceptable at this time Republican.
NASHVILLE, Tenn, Jcnuary 20, 1864.
Hon. !. N. MORRIS:
DEAR sIR:-You4. letter of the goth of De
cember did not receive until two days ago; |
receive many such, but do not answer Yours
however, is written in such a kindly spirit,
and as you ask for answer confidentially, L will
not withhold 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 country
in the present trials. 10 do this efficiently it
is necessary to have the confidence OF the army
and tie people. | know no way to better Sc
cure this end than the faithful performance of
sition, I do not believe that have the right to
criticize the policy or orders of those above me-
or to give utterance to views'of my own except
to the authorities at Washington, through the
General-in3Chef OF the ARMY. In this respect
| know have proven myself good soldier. y
In your letter you say have it in my power
to be the next President. This is the last
thing in the world desire. [ would regard
such communication highly unfortunate for
myself, if not for the country. Though Prov
idence have attained to more than J ever
hoped, and with the position 1 hold in the reg
ular army, if allowed to retain it will be more
than satisfied. | certainly shall never shape a
a sentiment, or the expression of a thought,
with the view of beng a candidate for office.
| scarcely know the Inducements which could
| be held out to me to accept office, and unhesi-
| tatingly say that prefer my present position
to that of any civil office within the gift of the
| people. ~
This is a private letter to you, not intended
for others to see or read, because I want to
avoid being heard from by the public, except
through acts In the performance Of nv legi-
4 mate duties.
| have the honor to be very respectfully.
your obedient servant,
L.. S. GRANT.
INCREASING INTEREST IN SHORT HORNS.
The recent purchase III England at public sale
| by Mr.. Loder, of the Fourth Grand Duches oil
Geneva, short horn.cow, at $4,000, has clio
ted the publication Of figures showing how the
interest in short horns has developed. In Eng
land in 1868 breeders sold ,423 animals at an
average of SIT apiece, and in 1874 there we're
sold 2, l65 animals at an average of $3.50, being
an increase OF so per cent lin six wears. "A
| similar increase of interest has been DEVELOPED
in this country, and as an example of fabulous
prices MI Alexander, of Kentucky, last week
sold . bull and q COW. to be sent. to England
for which he realized the amazing prize OF
| $50, COO. The American stock of short horns
has Improved SO greatly within the past five
. years that English breeders now send thei,
agents here with instructions to purchase such
animals as may please their fancy, without re
! gard tosthe price paid.
The National Board Of Trade, in session al
philadelphia, Thursday adopted q resolution
I!memorzing Congress to restore the law Iegu
Elatlng the rates OF postage to its former status
A resolution was adopted expressing satisfac
ton chat Congress had fixed day for resunp.
i ton of specie payments, but at the same time
expressing concern that no well considered
methods have been adopted for the execution
OF the measure. and asking Congress to place
means in the hands Of the Secretary of ths
Treasury for the execution Of the law for re
sumption at the time named.
California is now pronounced the most pros
porous State in the Union. It appears tina
the combined deposits OF all the savings bank;
in the State were recently $50, o2seO3, belong
ing to S4,2S4 derositors, which is an average o
1918 to each.
There was ldicrollsly sudden decent from
the sublime to the ridiculous where a clergy
man preaching on the Ministry Of Angels
suddenly observed, II hear a Whisper tn
chanse OF tone started one Of the deacons, VIII
sat Delow, from drowsy mood, and springin
TO hls rect he cried, 'Its the boys in the gal