The New York herald., 1879-08-27
GEN ERAL GRAN 7.
Reception Of His Dsclination by
Statesmen and Politicians.
BELIEF IN HIS SINCERITY.
Tributes to the Character and
Ability Of the Man.
BUT FEW DOUBTERS.
The Presidential Contest Of
1880 Sinoplified.
BUT FEW DOUBTERS.

interviews given below renect the estlmateS placeu
upon this declaration by some of the leaders of both
the great parties. The exact words which General
Grant used published in the HERALD August 10y
in response to the complimentary hope Of Li-Hung
Chang that he would again become President of the
United States, are as follows:-
Your Excellency is very kind, but there could
be wish more distasteful to than what
you express. ] have held the office of President
long 1t has been held by any man.
There others who have risen to great distinction
worthy and to them it belongs, not to me. have
claims to the Office. 1t is place distasteful to
me- place of hardship and responsibilities. When
/ was younger man these hardships severe
and never agreeable. They would be worse now.
No man who knows what the Presidency imposes
would care to see friend in the office. have had
my share Of it-have had all the honors that can be
or should be given to any citizen, and there are
many able and distinguished men who have earned
the Office. To one of them 1t should be given.
Mr.. GEORGE W. cHILDs AFFIRMs GENERAL
GRANTS EXPRESSED WISHES, YET ADMITS
THAT DENOMINATION AND ACCEPTANCE ARE
POSSIBLE.
PHILADELPHIA, August %, 1879.
The HERALD correspondent on last Thursday
morning called upon Mr.. George w. Childs. as an
intimate and dear friend of General Grant to learn
his opinion regarding the effect Of the Generals
cent utterances concerning the mention Of his name
for the Presidency in the Of his conversation
with the Viceroy of Tientsin. called Mr. Childs'
attention to the fact-of which he not before
fully aware-that General Grants words have not
everywhere been accepted in the same spirit. and
that-whether sincerely not, who knows?-the
politicians and the organs in several cases. have not
hestated to doubt that the General is entirely sin.
cere to the extent Of fnal and conclusive refusal
to be o candidate for the Presidency again.
GRANT SINCERELY AvERsE TO REMUNERATION.
MIR. Childs was naturally very careful in the man.
ner of expressing himself on this question:. when
explained to him that his words will probably be
quoted. because Of the close personal relations
between himself and the distinguished soldier. He
promised that he not authorized to speak for
his friend on this important matter and then de-
clared that the Generals emphatic objections to
occupying the Presidency again. and to being put
forward a candidate do not surprise him. He re-
minded me of expression of his opinion to that
effect In conversation some months ago to Gen.
eral Grants wishes and intentions
''The subject OF his denomination has always been
manifestly unpleasant to General Grant that even
his intimate friends. in their conversations or let
ters not ventured to allude to the matter and
Mr.. Childs cited Mr.. Drexcl and Mr.. Borie
Mr.. Childs has doubt that the General in de-
claring his aversion TO being President again,
has expressed his real feeling. He thinks he In
tended to give final and positive answer to all ap
peas to permit the use of his name as Presidential
candidate.
''Do you regard this as withdrawing General Grant
from the field finally as a candidateY
IA not and has not been candidate at all ibelieye
that he intends to keep his name out of the
rs far as he has the power to do so. But could he
be brought to see that the country really needs
him; that the Southern question requires strong
man. and one who understands and would have tho
respect of the South--if any serious emergency
should demand it-of course it is within the range
of possibility that he might accept the nomination
again as he was induced to stand for his first term
II ia a Ol
his part no one who knows him doubts. The idea
of holding the ofice again is extremely repugnant to
him."
AS to how the republican leaders regard General
Grants status and what the probabilities of the
factor or not-Mr. Childs would not undertake to
speak. He had not consulted any OF the prominent
men of the party on the matter. On the whole Mr..
Childs ended as he began. by repeating his strong
belief that General Grants earnest desire is to have
no mention made OF his name for another Presi-
story, which is its rounds through the press that
he and other moneyed men are to contribute S50.o
each Tor establishing Grant organ in Washington,
with Murtagh rs editor There Is no sucn project
ON foot.
Ex-oovERNoR SEYMOUR AND SENATOR KEENAN,
GRANT NOT 50 AMBITIOUS AS HE wAs-HIs
SUPPOSED POLITICAL STRENGTH MERE BUG
BEAR.
Utica. N. Y, August 23. 1879.
Your correspondent on Thursday asked ex-Gov-
Conversations
which General Grant had with the Chinese viceroy.
IN which he declared himself unwilling again be
. candidate for the Presidency. He replied:-
'The letter In the HERALD from China which
speaks OF General Grants conversation with
Chinese official is of great interest in many ways.
It's novelty in the intercourse between an Ameri-
who has held high positions in the United States
and Chinaman of rank. 30 far as it throws light
upon the purposes Of the General to the future
we arc to take into account not only his dcclara-
tions, but the circumstances under which they
were made. Tho position which ho has held
heretofore in country and tho influence
which he still exerts make his voyage round tho
world one Of unusual interest. 1t was one never
heretofore made by person Of his position. In tho
eyes of the people of the East there is still
atmosphere OF royalty about him. This has called
out measure of respect which has never been
corded any other Of country, and rarely, IL
ever. to any European. what he has seen aud taken
part In during this long journey must have made
decp impression upon his mind, his views OF life
and his purposes for the future. No one can see
Offices and honors displayed by 30 many of tho
nations OF the earth without feeling how empty aud
hcoting are the distinctions thoy confer. The
American who has never loft his country thinks
only or the Presidency when he hears u lofty posi-
zion spoken OK. But when he has travelled around
the world and how many Offices there are like
dignity, and. in most cases Of pernanency, his
opinions are greatly modified.
A CERTAIN CURE.
IL do not know that General Grant ever had the
wish to be made President again. But II he cher
ished any such desire no certain cure could be
found for such an ambition than what no has seen
since ho lett the shores of our country. What he
said 10 ii-Hung Chang is exactly what every
would expect hin TO tecl. even IL ho had said Moth
ing upon the subject Aside from this can sec no
reason " hy his declarations should be received with
any dstrust Men tire of the cares and anxieties Of
public life after the novelty OF tho positions has
worn away. As general and president he has FOR
many years lived through intense excitements. These
wear out tho elasticity and vgor OF mems minds,
although they may not stamp themselves upon their
personal appearance. There In that In the make
up OF General urant which should also carry tho
conviction that he means what he says. When lie
wants thing he says and gets 1t IL ho can, and no
Is clear In his own mind what he does want. Many
others have doubts about themselves and shrink