New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1880-05-28
GRANT MUST NOT BE NOMINATED.

ALETTER FROM THURLOW WEED.
rBr VETERAN OF MANY PRESIDENTIAL CONFLICTS
APPRALs TO TIE REPUBLICAN NATIONAL CON-
YENTIoS TO RESPECT a PRECEDENT AS OLD AS
THE REPUBLIc-GRNKRAL GRANTS NOMINATION
WOULD BE THE RUIN OF THE PARTY.
70 the Editor Of The Trtbune.
SIR: The Republican National Convention of
1879 adopted with emphatic unanimity, the follow
Ing resolution:
arnton that ne is candidate for denomination and
with gratitude for his services We declare
Pur uDateraDe oppOsluOh 10 'he eecuon VI any ELes
tdent for a third term.
This spontaneous resolution, sOlemnly committing
General Grant to the nO-third-term principle, re-
Hected the sentiment which had grown with our
Growth and strengthened with our strength from
the Inauguration of our Republic. This sentiment
has been part of our political education. Until
aow no serious attempt to- disregard or violate it
bad been made for more than three-quarters OF
century. And even it is so repugnant that tens
IF thousands of General Grants original frendsand
importers are earnestly and honestly opposed to
dis nomination. If, when Senators ConkIing and
Cameron determined upon a Grant coup detat
In New-YOrk and Pennsylvania there was reason
10 believe that they were merely anticipating the
wishes OF the people, it must now be apparent even
to those Senators that the Republicans in New-forK
and Pennsylvania, IL called upon to act, would now
reverse the instructions " of the February Con-
yeptions 1t is equally evident that General
Grants majority In Illinois was secured by the votes
of delegates representing mnOrtles instead oil ma
Iorties Developments of the popular wishes anu
will of the Republicansof the States relied on 10
elect o Republican President prove that General
Grant can only be nominated, If such a result is
reached, by a convulsive efort-an effort which no
President having served two terms ever permitted
his friends to make. Indeed all the predecessors OF
General Grant, at the close Of their second term'
ndded their sanction to an uuwritten law by
rheerfnl withdrawal from public life. 1t IS truly
bainful therefore, to see General Grant talnlshhg
his fame and dwarfng his dignity by an obstinate
6;sreyard of the patriotic examples of Washington,
Jefferson Madison. Monroe and Jackson 10 this
illustriOus roll the name of Lincoln would have
been added if he had been permitted to serve
ut his second term. Indeed. that great and good
President voluntarily offered to torego second term
faman could be found who could prosecute the
gar for the Union day faster and further" than
himself The real friends of General Grant are
wanting in the first and highest attribute OF friend
hin in neglectng to apprse hi Of the danger to
himself and to his country Of remaining candi-
sate for President under circumstances so inauspl
sious With full appreciation Of the reasons
which induced ex-Minister Washburne and ex-Sec-
cetary Fish to publicly avow themselves In favor
of General Grants nomination, cannot persuade
myself that either of those distinguished statesmen
but for their personal relations WITH and their per
sOna friendship for General Grant would nave put
himself on record in favor of the nomination Oh a
thrd-term candidate for President. ,
Prominent Republican Senators and leading Re-
publican Journals grow more dehantly III favor OF
General Grant as his chances for a NOMINATION
weaken. Usually skilled politicians are quick 70
discern and interpret the "sRns Of the times"
Without Impugning the motives OF Senators Conk-
ling and Cameron am constraIneu 10 9nGs Is VI,
ltating the bulldOZlng examples OF otner sectlonS'
is SAID to be influenced quite as much by his hos
hlity to Mr.. Washburne as by his friendship LOT
General Grant. At any rate. IN advising " bolts"
in Illinois and Louisiana, he neither increases Geil-
era Grants prospects nor brlghtens ns own record.
Meanwhile, it is passing strange. III view OF What Is
plainly seen by Others that Senators Conkllng,
Cameron and Logan persist In a course which
he@sejVes e'S That GENERAL Grant # by
methods and machinery soOb ectionable Will De de-
Tier There is another aspect of the question which
aQgravates the evils consequent upon Sehera
Grants nomination. 1t renders MIR. Tilden,s nom-
nation and election more than possible IN tnus
making itself responsible for such q calamity the
Republican party and its blind leaders would be
overwhelmed in common and irretrleyaole rum
1t is we'll to look another danger IN the lace ii
The tactics and strategies which secured Grant
majority in the Illinois State Convention should be
put into practice at Chicago, either an open rupture
movement resulting in the nomination OF another
ticket would be inevitable. There VIII then nave
been more than enough of wrong and iniustice to
provoke, if not justify such movement That
movement however would not have my approval,
for deeply as should deplore the nominationof
thlrdterm candidate cannot afford to mar the con.
listency of a lifelong political record. l have
liam Henry Harrison. William Writ. Henry Clay
Zachary TAYLOR, Winfield Scott. John c. Fremont.
Abraham Lincoln, u. s. Grant and Rutherford Is
Hayes and If spared until November l shall vote
for the candidate Of my party. although instead o.
General Grant l earnestly hope 1t may be elthel
Edmunds. l. W.
"a