Dear Brother: . . .
Don't ever give any person the least encouragement to think I can be used for
political ends. I have seen it poison so many otherwise good characters, that I
am really more obstinate than ever. I think Grant will be made miserable to the
end of his life by his eight years' experience. Let those who are trained to it
keep the office, and keep the Army and Navy as free from politics as possible,
for emergencies that may arise at any time.
Think of the
reputations wrecked in politics since 1865.
[A few days later he
continued:]
* * * * * * * * * *
No matter what the
temptation, I will never allow my name to be used by any party; but I don't
think it would be prudent to allow the old Democrats to get possession of the
Government; and hope the Republicans will choose some new man, as like Mr.
Lincoln as you can find. Or else let us unite on Blaine, or even Washburne. . .
.
SOURCE: Rachel
Sherman Thorndike, Editor, The Sherman Letters: Correspondence Between
General and Senator Sherman from 1837 to 1891, p. 340
