The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1892-05-21

CoLuMBus, ONO, May 2O.-The Column
Iw Dipatch to-day makes public, a
special matter, copy Of letter writ
ten by U. S. Grant TO Roscoe Conkling
regarding his effort to have tho general
nominated as q candidate for President
The third time. Following is the letter:
New YoRR, May, 1880.
Ny Dtar NJ. Consling.
l am in receipt OF your last
letter and have very considerably
weighed the matter in all its bearings.
The tribute you pay my services TO
tho country ] appreciate, but ut tho
same time ! fear you over-estimato my
services and underestimate the indul-
ccnco OF our country. There have been
oxigences that warranted q second
term, but l don't believe that tho best
interests OF tho countrys good ever
demanded third term or ever will.
! had my doubts even MS to'thc advis-
ability OF n second term, and you know
That have so expressed myself to you
in our confidential talks. This is big
country, full OF brainy and ambitious
men who can serve the country emil
ncn,ly well MS its President, and sim
cercly question tho policy OF thwarting
their noble ambitions.
In public cosmopolitan like ours, a
mans fame is too frequently dependent
upon the status Of public senti-
ment Famo in this country GIBBS
and flows To-day you are the peer;
tomorrow you may be submerged be-
meath the wave of adverse sentiment.
This is another reason why the noble
ambition to be President should not be
restricted TO one man. | feel that our
country has amply repaid me for all
my services by tho honors it thas be-
slowed upon mo, and l feel that to be a
candidate or accept the nomination for
third term would be ingratitude, and
would eventually effect me with the
people who have loved me and whom
love.
lam still OF the opinion that I should
speak TO the. country, that l should
break the silence in n letter declining
emphatically 10 accept q nomination for
third term. | appreciate your efforts,
your friendship and loyalty, but fear
that your zcalousness for me is an err
for, not OF heart, but OF mind. Know
Ing that with nil yonr noblcness you
have a highly sensitive nature, and
knowing your antipathy to the Maine
statesman, | have always reiralncd from
speaking oil him to you, but l now
feel that should speak on that matter
and plainly. This estrangement be-
tween you two, unless checked, must
prove a mutual disadvantage. 1t will
hurt Mr. Conkling, twill hurt Mr..
Blaine. 1t will be stumbling block in
the way Of the ambitions Of both. /
believe that could the differences exist
Ing be amicaby adjusted, the nomina-
,ionthis year would coto one, leayingthe
honor four years hence more than
probability Tor the other. 1t is not
only necessary for the good OF each that
an amlcable adjustment be reached, but
i9r the good OF the party; and more, for
the good OF the country.
lear that the presentation OF NV
name at the convention would not only
80 Wv NciehL VI MT. bIulnp, Dub
seriously affect your future, besides
warpns my career. Even should ! be
nominated, it could only come after 4
spirited contest in which much bitter
ness would be injected; and then I
doubt ii | could DO elected, as | seri-
ousiy doubt whether any man can ever
again bc elected even fol; n second term,
unless, pcrchancc, thcrc should arise
some extraordinary emergency, which
now appears improbable even in the
dim future.
nm aware that this matter has gone
on 10 an extent where an announce
from me refusing to accept would be
looked upon by some as cowsardico. But
would it not be tar better TO be cons ia
eFato TO aeoward than n usurpcr? I
ir9st im You will consider gravely dnd care
iuI1y Mywishes. lam generous enough to
suaermlysnf ratherthan have my friends
suuef' II am convinced that any act Of
m;hewouldcause them to suffer- Await
inS your reply before acting, / remain
sincerely, your friend,
IsIgnGdl Us S5Gn,yr