TLS signed “Wm. H. Taft,” two pages, 8 x 10.5, personal letterhead, April 2, 1915. Letter to Baltimore American publisher General Felix Angus, marked "Confidential," which finds Taft respectfully declining a request for an interview to help position him for the Republican nomination. Taft frankly explains that he fears that the interview would be ill-received and viewed as a coercive act by his friends driving him towards the candidacy. In part: "I have just had the pleasure of a long talk with Garthe. It has been a real pleasure, because it carries me back to the days when I used to see him every day or two, and when he was trying to help when help was very much needed; and I remember going over with him to enjoy your hospitality in the Spring Valley and to meet you after that long wait of two hours that you had at the Park for a very late President. Garthe proposed to have an interview with me on the subject of the Presidency, but I appealed to him not to insist on it, and I did it on two grounds: First, on the ground that it would be very distasteful to me to give an interview upon a subject which would at once thrust me forward as an earnest seeker after the nomination. I do not occupy that attitude, as you know, and I wish earnestly to avoid the appearance of such a thing. Second, assuming that your judgment, though contrary to mine, is right in reference to the possibility or probability of my nomination, and the probability of my election, and the wisdom of it, I am very certain, from what all my friends tell me, and from what I know myself, that the possibility or probability would be greatly diminished were the public to get the impression that I was being pushed by my friends, at my instance, or with my connivance. The only possibility, my dear General, of that coming about which you are so kind as to wish, is my preservation of absolute silence on the subject and the rising of a demand from the business men of the various communities for my nomination, on the one hand, and the failure of any other candidate to satisfy the requirements of the situation after the Convention has met and after the availability of every candidate has been tested by the long-headed men who are to gather and represent the Republican party in that Convention." Taft adds a few words of text in his own hand. In fine condition, with paperclip impressions to the top edge.
This item is Pre-Certified by PSA/DNA
Buy a third-party letter of authenticity for
$75.00
*This item has been pre-certified by a trusted third-party authentication service, and by placing a bid on this item, you agree to accept the opinion of this authentication service. If you wish to have an opinion rendered by a different authenticator of your choosing, you must do so prior to your placing of any bid. RR Auction is not responsible for differing opinions submitted 30 days after the date of the sale.
We use cookies on this site to improve your experience. By using this site, you accept our use of cookies. To learn more, please see our Privacy Policy.
