The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1912-11-05
HALL IN AMERICANA.

WILLIAM HALL IN AMERICANA.
In view OF the interest shown In the
discussion OF permitting president
of the United States To serve more
than two terms, the attitude which
President Grant assumed when he
was invited TO permit his name 10 b.
presented for reelection is OF consli-
cradle political as well as historical
importance.
II does not seem 10 be generally
known that a strong effort was made
to persuade General Grant TO stand
for a third term. IL is somewhat sur
prising that this phase OF the great
generals career should have been lett
10 such obscurity.
The facts are these: IL was Roscoe
Conillin who was delegated 10 ascer'
tain how Grant felt in regard TO "A
thtri-term candidacy. The following
letter recently unearthed by Mr.. II. I'll.
Thompson. secretary of the People,
bank OF Passaic. n. j., from the fleS
OF an old newspaper, shows how the
general answered Mr.. Conklin. For
some inexpressible reason, unless II
be through sheer neglect, the standard
biographers OF Grant neither incorpor-
ate this letter nor mention IL.
Il reads as follows;
New York, May ?, 1880
Nv Dear Mr.. Conklin-l am In re-
ceipt OF your last letter and have very
lconsiderately weighed the matter Ia
all its bearings. The tribute you pay
my services 10 the country | apprec'-
ate but at the same time | fear you
ovS restimate my services and under
estimate the indulgence OF our coun'
try.
There have been exigencies that
war; anted a second term. but | do not
believe that the best interests or the
ccuntry good ever demanded third
term or ever will.
| had my doubts even as TO the ad'
Instability OF 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
90 lntry eminently well as It's pres.
dent. and | sincerely question the
policy OF thwarting their noble am
bition.
In a republic, cosmopolitan like
tours. a mans fame is TOO frequently
dependent upon the status OF public
ser timent. Fame in this country GIBBS
and flows. To-day you are the peer;
TOM rrow you may be submerged be
meath the wave OF adverse sentiment
This is another reason why the noble
ambition TO be president should no.
be Lsstricted 10 one man.
| feel that our country mas amptJ
REPAID me for all my service by the
honors it has bestowed upon me and
il feel that TO be candidate or ac
cept the nomination for third term
would be ingratitude, and would
Eventually affect me with the people
who have loved me and whom love
/ am still OF the opinion that
should speak to the country. that
shoaid break the silence in a letter
declining eluphatically 10 accept .
nomination for a third term
appreciate your efforts YOU
Friendship and loyalty, but | fear tina
your zealousness for me is an error
not OF heart. but OF mind Knowins
;hat. with all your nobleness, you have
a highly sensitive nature, and know
ing your antipathy for the Maine
statesman, | have always deferred
from speaking OF him TO you but
now feel that | should speak on tina,
matter and plainly.
This estrangement between yot
two. unless checked, must prove 3
mutual disadvantage. II will hurt Mr.
Conkling. II will hurt Mr.. Blaine. II
will be stumbling block in the way
of the anbitiOn OF DO n.
believe that could the differences
existing be amicably adjusted th'
nomination this year would go tC