New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1875-06-01
WAS II 4 BTGBEARf
The Republicans of South Carolina In their
State Convention Of 1874 adopted by unan-

State Convention Of 1874 adopted by unan-
mous vote tho following resolution:
Rfsolred That In the dstin guished soldier ana states
man now at the head Of our National Government we
recognize who In peace as well az In war; Possesses
that fidelity Of purpose and integrity OF character 40 nee
essary tranquility at home respect abroad anu
thu permanently OF the grand and glorious princpies
which have become the cornerstone OF the great kcpup
can party 10 which We beong and for which reason We
pledge ourselves to tho support OF President ran' r
third term assured that by doing We sha preserve
that peace and unity throughout the whole country 81
necessary 10 its prosperity
A great many earnest Republicans tirough-
out the country who were opposed TO third
term of President Grant, and who believed
that the prevailing suspicion of his candidacy
was working great injury to the party,
thought at the time that this was
such an utterance as, coming from
Republican State Convention in one OF the
strongest Republican States in the Union, was
worthy the attention of the President. 1t GER
tainly did not seem to them that there would
be any derogation Of the dignity of the Presi-
Dental Office in giving il some notice, or that
n Republican Convention of the State OF South
Carolina was a body of such little dignity
land authority that "a reply" would be
ga fair subject Of-ndiculc.'
The President thought otherwise {; and though
in the opinion of the shrewdest and ablest Re-
publicans in the country ga reply would have
sire ngtlencd the party and perhaps have
prevented defeat, he was silent.
Last Wednesday the Republicans of Penn
sylvania in their State Convention passed by
unanimous vote and amid great enthusiasm the
following resolution:
R,sored That we declare firm. unqualified adherence
to the unwritten law OF the Republic which wisely and
under the sanction OF the most venerable OF examples
limits the Presidential service OF citizen to two terms
and the Republicans OF Pennsylvania, In recognition
of this law are unaeraby opposed to the election to the
Presidency of any person for third term.
On the Sunday following the President gave
to the press q copy of letter sent the day
previous 10 the Chairman of the Pennsylvania
Convention in which, giving his reasons for
not responding earlier to inquiries upon the
subject of the Third Term he says:
believed IL TO he beneath the dignity OF the ONCE
which have been twice called upon to Ill TO answer such
cue ston before the subject should be presented by
competent authority 10 make a nomination, or by
body of such dignity and authority as not
make reply fair subject OF riiicnie
In fact / have been surprised that SO many
sensible persons in the Republican party should permit
which add strength to the party no matter how
met But body OF the dignity and party authority OF
conyenton 10 make nominations for the State officers OF
the second state in tho Union having considered this
question l deem ii not improper that should speak.
Observe that, in his opinion, it is =" an issue
(which cannot add strength 10 the party, no
matter how met" Note the careful state
ment little later; Now for the Third Term.
Il do not want it any more than did the
first" And then AZ to his idea of being
bound by precedents, read this further ex-
tract
The question of the number Of terms allowed to any one
Executive can only come up fairly in the shape OF
proposition to amend the Constitution shape in which
all political parties participate, fixing the length Of
time or the number terms for which any person
shall DE eligible for the office Of President Until such
an amendment adopted the people cannot be restricted
In their choice by resolution further than they are now
restricted to age, nativity &C. 1t may happen In tho
future history Of country that to change Exeou
tive because he has been eight years IN Office will prove
unfortunate II not disastrous.
Well, upon the whole, was ii bugbearf