The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1875-06-22

their personal relations with kindred and an
cestors, and which buries in oblivion those
dark historic memories that inspire SO many
anniversaries
The Retirement OF Two Distinguished
Statesmen.
General Grants letter explaining his posi-
ton on the third term has become source Of
interest and speculation to the journals in
England and America. The excitement
which this sphinx-like publication has caused
in the minds of discerning and thoughtful
people has hardly died away before we have
another letter from another distinguished
fighting man which will be read with an in
terest as deep as that of the great hero Of the
war. President Grant if our readers will
remember, said that he did not desire the
third term any more than he desired the first
or the second and that he would not run for
the Presidency unless he was compelled to do
SO by an imperative duty. In other words,
the republican party might take the Presi-
dents declaration as they pleased As
candidate he would be either fish
or fowl, as they chose to regard
retire from the prize ring, in which he has
Figured for nearly twenty years. Like
President Grant, Mr.. Allen informs us that he
has little to say Of his career or the sacrifices
which he has made to maintain O distin-
guished reputation. 81 leave the public"
says this powerful ex-pounder of the consttu-
ton, ito judge OF that, and fiatter myself that
mill haar aak.o
favorably with the records in general Of the
profession of which l now take leave The
modesty OF Mr.. Allen reminds us Of the modesty
of the President, who in his letter to General
Harry White makes similar references to his
own achievements In the field. Mr.. Allen
informs us that he regrets his mistakes that
1--WE are all liable to make mistakes, but that
his errors have been 'those of the mind and
not Of the heart" If any of his former rivals
or competitors for public favor reading these
sad lines recall any incident when Mr..
Allen was too vigilant. or struck too hard
| q blow, or was reluctant in leaving his corner,
or too precipitate in throwing up the sponge,
or not altogether particular about hitting
above or below the belt, they are to believe
heart" II realize when too late" says Mr..
Allen, 'that have been the dupe Of cow
ard hungry for pugilistic fame and the dollars
that have been made by it, and yet afraid to
fight or even put in an appearance upon the
battle ground. This ends my career in the
ring. bid it goodby now, once and for
ever Mr.. Aliens tone is moro emphatic
than President Grants in this, that be does
not say that an imperative duty could
ever take him back. Like the President, he
feels that he has made many sacrifices, that
they have not been appreciated, that the ring
Of which he was the glory and the pride, has
become unworthy Of him.
At the same time we should not desire to
see Mr.. Allen tempted to change his mind
The difficulty even with his emphatic letter is
that it is written in high temper, and We have
the authority of the Duke Of Gloster, another
famous champion, for saying that promises
made in anger cannot long be remembered
when passion cooled. So that although there
are partisans Of President Grant and Tom
Allen who are willing to believe that the let
ter of the President to Harry White and
Toms letter to the public are indications that
they have each retired from public life and
no longer seek the arena, yet, between the
lines, we feel assured that President Grant
may find an imperative necessity In q nomi-
nation by the Convention that is to be held
next year that viii compel him to make
another sacrifice for the good Of the country.
aud that if any aspiring hero thinks that Tom
Allen will allow him to tread upon his coat
tail with impunity OF to knock promiscuous
chips from of his hat, he viii find himself
knocked out Of time according to the rules Of
the London prize ring.