The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1875-06-10
The Third Term.

The letter written by General Grant,
seems capable of various interpretations.
The English language, which we all pro-
TESS to understand, seems to have lost,
in this instance, its usual clearness, and
while one party processes to see III the
words distinct denial Of any desire on
his part for denomination, another
party sees in it a direct bid for the office.
1t is amusing to read the papers, es
pecially those friendly to the President,
and watch the constructions they put
upon plain Anglo-Saxon in order to
make out their case But from our
limited linguistic requirements, We are
forced to confess that we see nothing in
the letter which could possibly leave
anyone in doubt as to its meaning 1t
need not take half column of solid
nonpareil for Gen. Grant to tell his
countrymen that he would not accept a
denomination This could be done
very easily in few words. His letter
reminds US of the boy who praised the
butter, what there was of it, and thought
that there was pleanty of it such as it
was SO with Grant. He would not
accept third term-unless he should see
that contingencies arose which necessi-
tatcd his accepting it. He does not
want it-any more than he did at the
first. He would not utter single word
to change the will Of the people in ex-
pressing and having their choice, and
in the next breath informs the said peo-
pie that there is nothing to prevent them
from electlng a man for the third term.
This is the way he refuses
The fact that he did not want the
first nomination, but accepted, it is proof
positive th"t Tho came weakness which
led him to succumb to pressure then,
will operate now. There is a PRAYER,
Lead us not into temptation, and our
conventions should remember this when
they meet, and not place our President
under the painful necessity Of choosing
between the alternative, ITO be, or not
to be'-President. Do not cast such a
burden upon the shoulders of this man.
Remember his plaintive story, of how
he vas forced to give up his position as
General Of the armies Of the United
States, in order to become the President
Of the great and glorious people. Then
again, Remember, what terrible cloud
of sorrow must have rested upon him
when, by concentration of circumstan-
ces over which he hal no control, he
realized that the public good demanded
that he should relinquish all hopes of
an early retirement to the home of his
youth; should forget for another term
the smell of his tannery, and betake
himself to the throne. Few men have
such Affections, and now we think he
should have a rest. We make this plea
simply out of personal respect to Grant
We do not like to see any one man thus
imposed upon.
But seriously, we do not see anything
in the letter which peremptorily declines
denomination. On the other hand it
seems to be skillfully worded document
written with the intention of furthering
the cause of its author. and of giving
him another chance to be pleased at
the endorsement of the people. Whether
or no he has done anything which en-
titles him to so much consideration. is
question which all can easily decide.
The manner in which our country has
been left to get out Of difficulties the
best way it could, shows that We have
need of statesmen in the White House.
Shall we not have them?