The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1892-05-25
As Grant SAW Ir.
A Letter He Wrote conkiIng About
Third Term.

CoIuNsUs O.. May 20.-The Columbus
Dis.atek to-day makes public as special mat
ter a copy Of letter written by Ulysses 5
Grant to Roscoe Conkling regarding bis ei-
fort to have the general nominated as can
didate for president the third time. Follow
ing is the letter:
NEW YoRK. May, 1890.
"MY DEAR Mr. C0SKLISe-I am in re-
ceipt of your last letter, and have very con-
siderately weighed the matter in all its bear
ings This tribute you pay my services to
the country / appreciate, but at the same
time fear you overestimaie my services and
underestimate the indulgence of our cum
try. There have been exigencies that war
ranted second term, but don't believe
that the best interests or the country's good
ever demanded third term or ever viii.
DOUBTS As TO SECOND TERM.
i had my doubts even as TO the advisa-
bility Of a second term, and you know that
have so expressed myself TO you in our
confidential talks. This is a big country,
full of brainy and ambitious men. who can
serve the country eminently well as its pres
ident, and I sincerely question the policy Of
thwarting their noble ambition. In pub
lie, cosmopolitan country like ours mans
fame is too frequently dependent upon the
status Of public sentiment. Fame in this
country e5bs and flows. To-day you are
the peer; tomorrow you may be submeTg-
~ haraath fha urara of aHvarsa sentiment
This is another reason why the noble am
bition TO be president should not be restrict
ed to one man. feel that our country has
amply repaid me for all my services by the
honors it has bestowed upon me, and feel
that to be candidate or accept the nomina-
lion for third term would be ingratitude,
and would eventually effect me with the
people who have loved me and whom love.
Il am still of the opinion that ! should
speak to the country, that l should break
the silence in letter declining emphatical-
" to accept a nomination for third term.
| appreciate your efforts, your friendship
and loyalty, but fear that your zealousness
for me is an error, not of heart but Of mind.
Knowing that with all your nobleness you
have highly sensitive nature, and know
ing your antipathy TO the Maine statesman,
have always refrained from speaking Of
him to you, but l now feel that l should
speak on that matter and plainly. This es-
arrangement between you two, unless check
ed, must prove mutual disadvantage. 1t
will hurt Mr.. Blaine II will be stumbling
block in the way of the ambitions Of both.
/ believe that could the differences existing
be amicably adjusted the nomination this
year would go to one, leaving the honor four
years hence more than probability for the
other. 1t is not only necessary for the good
of each that an amicable adjustment be
reached, but for the good Of the party, and
more for the good of the country.
WOULDN'T HURT BLAINE
al fear that the presentation of my name
at the convention would not only assist in
the defeat of Mr. Blaine, but seriously affect
your future besides warping my career.
Even should be nominated it could only
come after a spirited contest, in which much
bitterness would be injected, and then l
doubt if l could be elected, as l seriously
doubt whether any man can ever again be
elected, even for a second term, unless per-
chance there should arise some extraordina-
~ emergency, which now appears imprOba-
bic even in the dim future.
=" 1 am aware that this matter has gone on
to an extent where an announcement from
me refusing to accept would be looked upon
by some as cowsrdice But would it not be
far better to be considered coward than q
usurper? also appreciate your position as
you say, the final and supreme effort of
your life for supremacy yet in face of all l
still believe that my name should not be
presented. And further, believe that your
anxiety about the affect an announcement
from me would have on your future is an
error.
II trust you will consider gravely and
carefully my wishes. / am generous enough
to suffer myself rather than to have my
friends suffer, if am convinced that any
act of mine would cause them to suffer
Awaiting your reply before acting, remain
sincerely your friend. L. s. GRANT"