(SUGGESTS TILDEN AS A CANDIDATE FOR THE PRESIDENCY)
"_Private._
"NEW YORK, _10 Feb., '68_.
"DEAR SIR,--I have been reflecting on the subject of next Presidential
nomination suggested by you the other evening, and am seriously of
opinion that I know of no one more able, or who would nearer meet all
the requirements of the present crisis than yourself. The selection
of any such names as those you mentioned would bring up _old_ issues
and prejudices, and _insure_ defeat; no one doubts your ability or
integrity; you, I think, could cut loose from such old associations
(for they will be fatal to any candidate on our side who _can't_ do
it); _you_ have _not_ been worn out on antiquated platforms. Why can't
such a nomination be made? I believe it would [be] acceptable to the
country.
"If you ask me if I think that you could be elected against Grant, I
say _yes_, if the party won't force on you a platform that _says too
much_--(if the devil ever possessed a sensible man, it is in getting up
'platforms'); not more than _three_ or four cardinal points, viz.:
"1. Cheerfully accord freedom to the negro, and equality before the
law; but no _universal_ negro suffrage, nor _domination_ of the negro
over the white man.
"2. No cavilling about the national debt, however incurred; that is
sacred as honor, and must be paid, principal and interest.
"3. No further patching of the Constitution of the country, nor
curtailing the independence of the Supreme Court.
"4. The present erroneous expenditures of the genl. government shall be
reduced, and taxes equalized and diminished, and tax-gatherers shall no
longer be suffered to pry into domestic affairs nor count the spoons.
"If such a platform could be put out and _stuck_ to, not dragged out
into _side_ issues, or _dead_ issues, success would be sure; so it
appears to me; but if I am only another instance of the side allusion
above, it would not be strange; but I would like such a nomination as
proposed--there could be none better.
"Y'rs, &c.,
"R. C. ROOT."