fulfil the office of President with more skill and success than a Grant, Sherman or Sheridan, who were soldiers by education and nature, who filled well their office when the country was in danger, but were not schooled in the practices by which civil communities are, and should be, governed.  I claim that our experience since 1865 demonstrates the truth of this my proposition.  Therefore I say that “patriotism” does not demand of me what I construe as a sacrifice of judgment, of inclination, and of self-interest.  I have my personal affairs in a state of absolute safety and comfort.  I owe no man a cent, have no expensive habits or tastes, envy no man his wealth or power, [have] no complications or indirect liabilities, and would account myself a fool, a madman, an ass, to embark anew, at sixty-five years of age, in a career that may, at any moment, [become] tempest-tossed by the perfidy, the defalcation, the dishonesty, or neglect of any one of a hundred thousand subordinates utterly unknown to the President of the United States, not to say the eternal worriment by a vast host of impecunious friends and old military subordinates.  Even as it is, I am tortured by the charitable appeals of poor distressed pensioners; but as President, these would be multiplied beyond human endurance.  I remember well the experience of Generals Jackson, Harrison, Taylor, Grant, Hayes and Garfield, all elected because of their military services, and am warned, not encouraged, by their sad experiences.  No—­count me out.  The civilians of the United States should, and must, buffet with this thankless office, and leave us old soldiers to enjoy the peace we fought for, and think we earned.

    With profound respect, your friend,

    W.T.  SHERMAN.

[Illustration:  FACSIMILE OF THE LETTER WRITTEN BY MR. BLAINE TO MR. HALSTEAD JUST AFTER MR. BLAINE’S DEFEAT FOR THE PRESIDENCY IN 1884, AND NEVER BEFORE PUBLISHED—­THE SAME LETTER THAT IS EMBODIED IN THE TEXT OF THIS ARTICLE ON PAGE 169.]

[Illustration:  CONTINUATION OF FACSIMILE OF LETTER.]

[Illustration:  CONTINUATION OF FACSIMILE OF LETTER.]

There is intrinsic evidence that these letters were not written with a thought of possible publication.  That which General Sherman says about Catholicism could only have been told to a close and sympathetic friend.  Mrs. Sherman and Mr. Blaine were cousins, and their mothers were Catholics.  Mrs. Sherman was one whose devotion to the Church was intense; and General Sherman could not endure the thought that her religion should be subjected to such discussions as were certain to arise in a Presidential campaign.  She was a very noble and gifted woman, and the happiness of herself and husband in their domestic life was beautiful and elevated.