urely personal which the public has no right
to. New questions will arise, and these will give you plenty
of occupation without raking up the past.

Wishing you always all honor and fame, I am,

Truly yours,

W.T. SHERMAN.

The letters that passed between Blaine and Sherman have appeared
in Gail Hamilton's "Biography of Blaine," but have not commanded
attention according to their interest, because they have not
been framed by the relation of the circumstances that gave them
significance and that are supplied in this article.

MR. BLAINE TO GENERAL SHERMAN.

(Confidential.)

Strictly and absolutely so.

WASHINGTON, D.C., _May 25, 1884._

MY DEAR GENERAL:--This letter requires no answer. After
reading it carefully, file it away in your most secret drawer,
or give it to the flames.

At the approaching convention in Chicago it is more than
possible--it is indeed not improbable--that you may be
nominated for the Presidency. If so you must stand your hand,
accept the responsibility, and assume the duties of the place
to which you will surely be chosen if a candidate. You must
not look upon it as the work of the politicians. If it comes
to you, it will come as the ground-swell of popular demand;
and you can no more refuse than you could have refused to obey
an order when you were a lieutenant in the army. If it comes
to you at all, it will come as a call of patriotism. It would,
in such an event, injure your great fame as much to decline it
as it would for you to seek it. Your historic record, full
as it is, would be rendered still more glorious by such an
administration as you would be able to give the country. Do
not say a word in advance of the convention, no matter who may
ask you. You are with your friends, who will jealously guard
your honor.

Do not answer this.

JAMES G. BLAINE.

GENERAL SHERMAN TO MR. BLAINE.

ST. LOUIS, _May 28, 1884._

HON. J.G. BLAINE.

MY DEAR FRIEND:--I have received your letter of the 25th;
shall construe it as absolutely confidential, not intimating
even to any member of my family that I have heard from you;
and though you may not expect an answer, I hope you will not
construe one as unwarranted. I have had a great many letters
from all points of the compass to a similar effect, one or
two of which I have answere