The new North-west. [volume] (Deer Lodge, Mont.) 1869-1897, 1888-12-07

lost sheep. One Of these days, perhaps
somebody will suggest tbs organization Q
the "Ineligibles," and then we will all hav'
a chance.
| SOMETHING OF BLAINE AND SHERMAN
TIL. Old General does Maan;fcenf and r.c.~ve.
J-->---- >ss~ Me-. ~ Maine.
The North American Reuie,o, for Decem
Der, contains An article entitled, ..Hon
James G. Blaine" signed by Gen. W. T
Sherman. It is a revelation of intense in
terest concerning the inside history Of tn
campaingn of 1884, and is so creditable t.
both Blaine and Sherman, that we presen
them herewith: """"""""" "@
In the year of our Lord 1854 there was to
be . sharp contest for the nomination il
Chicago of q Presidential candidate for th,
Republican party. The press and the people
generally, believed that Blaine wanted it
and everybody turned to him as the maj
best qualified to execute the policy and t
accomplish the result aimed at. Still abne
eating himself, he wrote to me from Wash.
ington this letter: ....
Confidential, strictly aud absolutely SOL
WASHINGTON, D. c., May rs, 18S4.-Ma
Dear General: This letter requires nc
answer. After reading it file it away ii
your most secret drawer or give it to the
flames. At tbs approaching Convention in
Chicago it is more titan possible, indeed it il
mt unavoidable that v0r, ~ a ho ~a~o3rnA
ed for the Presidency. If so, you must stand
your hand, accept the responsibility and as.
sumo the duties of the place to which you
will surely be chosen q candidate.
You must not look upon it ss the work of
the politicians. If it comes to you it will
come as the ground swell Of the popular de.
mand, aud you can no more refuse than you
could have refused to obey an order when
you were a lieutenant in the army. If il
comes to you at all, it will come as the call
of patriotism. 1t would, in such an event,
inture your great fame as much to decline
as it would for you to seek it. Your historic
record, full as it is, would be rendered still
more glorious by such an administration az
you would be able to give the country. Do
not say . word in advance of the Convention,
no matter who may ask you. You are with
your friends who will jealously guard your
honor and renown. Your friend,
"JAMEs G. BLA1NE."
To which I replied:
"No. 912 GARRISON AVENUE, ST. LOUIS,
Mo-, May 2Sth, 1S84:-Hon. James G.. Blaine,
Washington:-MY DEAR FRIEND:-I have
received your letter of the 25tb, and shall
construe it as absolutely confidential, not
itimating even to any member of my family
that l have heard from you, and though you
may not expect an answer, I hope you will
not construe one as unwarranted. l have
had q great many letters from all parts Of
the compass to a similar effect, one or two
of which l have answered frankly, but. the
great mass are unanswered. / ought not to
submit to the cheap ridicule of declin-
ing that which fis not offered, but it
is only fair to the many really able men who
rightly aspire to the high honor Of being
President of the United States to let them
know that I IN not and must not be con.
strued as q rival. In every mans life occurs
an epoch when he must choose his own
career, and when he may not throw off re-
sponsibility or timely place his destiny in
the hands Of frier ds. Mine occurred in
Louisiana when, in 1861, alone in the midst
resolved to stand by the Union as long as q
Va ~ OPOu In ~ NlllIEs
Since then, through faction, tempest, war
and peace, my career is all my family and
friends could ask. We are now in a good
house of u own choice, with reason
able provisions for old age, surrounded BY
kind and admiring friends, in . community
where Catholicism is held in respect and
veneratlon, and where my children will nat
urally grow up in contact with an industri-
Gus and frugal people. You have known
and respected Mrs. Sherman from childhoon,
have also known each and all members ofmy
family, and can understand without expla.
nation from me how their thoughts aud feel.
ings should and ought to influence my action.
But / will not even throw on them any re-
sponsibility.
will not in any event entertain or accept
q nomination as candidate for President BY
the Chicago Republican Convention or any
other Convention for reasons personal to
myself. I claim that the civil war, in which
I simply did a mans fair share Of work, so
perfectly accomplished peace, that military
men have an absolute right to rest and de
mand that the men who have been schooled
in the arts and practice of peace shall do
their work equally well. Any Senator can
step from his chair At the Capitol into the
White House and fulfill the Office Of Presi-
dent with more skill and success than a
Grant, Sherman or Sheridan, who were
by education and nature, who filled
we'll their Office when the country was in
by which civil authorities are and should be
governed. I claim that our experience since
1865 demonstrates the truth of this. There
I say that patriotism does not demand
of me what / construe as = sacrifice of judg-
ment, of inclination and of ~self-interest.
I have my personal affairs in q state of ab-
solute safety and comfort. I owe nc man q
cent, have no expensive habits, envy no man
his wealth or power, no complications or in
direct liabilities, and would account myself
q fool, . madman, an ass to embark anew at
IS years of age In q career that may become
at any moment tempest tossed by perfdy,
defalcation, the dishonesty or ne lect of
any single one of the hundred thousand sub
ordinates utterly unknown to the President
of the United States, not to speak of the
worriment by the vast host of impe-
friends and old military subordi-
mates. Even as it is, I am tortured by the
charitable appeals Of poor, distressed pen
but as President these would be
beyond human endurance.
remember we'll the experiences of Gen.
eral Jackson, Harrison, Taylor, Grant, Hayes
and Garfield, all elected because of their
military service, and am warned and not en-
couraged, by their sad experiences. The
of the United States should, and
must buffet with this thankless office and let
US old soldiers enjoy the peace we fought for
and think We earned. With profound re.
spect, your friend,
[SignedD VIM. T. SHERMAN"
These letters prove absolutely that MI.
although qualified, waived TO me
personally the nomination which the world
till believes be then coveted for himself.
For copies of these letters I believe I have
been importuned 1000 times, but Is q soldier
[ claim the privilege of unmasking my bat.
;eries when l please.
Not Much Interest.
WASHINGTON, Dec. 3.-The reading of
he message occupied one hour and twenty
The portions of it which discuss
d the questions of tariff revision, treasury
fishery troubles and West incident
we're listened to with very close attention
md apparent interest by the fourteen Re-
Senators, and about n equal num-
Der Of Democrats. Other portions Of the
Message seemed to have few, If any listeners, (
Ind the reading had the effect of gradually
the galleries of tho numerous spec !
ators. ~""