The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1875-05-31
EyEcrTIYE MANSION l


vention:
EXECUTIVE MANSION,
WAsHINGToN, d. c., May 30.
DEAR SIR "A short time subsequent
to the Presidential election of 1872, the
press, or portion of it, hostile to the
Republican party and particularly so 10
the administration, started the cry OF
CnsarlSm and the third term. calling lus-
tily for me TO define my position on the
latter subject. i believe it 10 be- beneath
the dignity Of the office which | have
been called upon to fill, to answer such a
question before the subject should be pre-
sented by competent authority.
! hayc been surprised that so many sen.
siblc persons in the Republican party
should permit their enemy to force upon
them and their party an issue which CAN
not add strength TO the party, no matter
how met But to II body Of the dignity
and party authority of convention TO
make nominations for State offices, OF the
second State in the Union, having con-
sidered this question, l deem it not i'm
proper that ! should speak. In the hrst
place | never sought the place fer Sec
ond or even u first nomination. 10 tho
first | was called from life position, one
created by Congress expressly for me Tor
supposed service rendered to the kepuD-
lie. AS 10 the position vacated, Ike
it. 1t would have been agreeable to mo
10 have retained it until such time rs
Congress might nave consented to my
retirement with the rank and i portion al
the emolumcnts which | 80 muCh needed,
to u home where the balance OF my days
might be spent in peace, and the ENJOY
mcnt of domestic quiet, relieved from the
cares which have oppressed me constant
ly. Now tor fourteen years, | was made
to believe that the public good call
cd me TO make the sacrifice for
the second term. The nomination
Was rendered to me by II unanimous vote
OF the delegate, OF all the states and ter
rlurles, selected by the Republicans of
each, to represent their whole number
Tor the purpose Of making their n9mlna-
tiun. cannot say that | WAS not pleas
cd at this, and AT the overwhelming
endorsement which their action received
at the election following, but It must b.
remembered that ali the sacrifices except
that of comfort, had been made III accept
ing the first term. Then such fire OF
personal abuse and SANDER had been
kept up for four years, notwlth-
standing the conscientious per-
tormance of my duties to the
best of mS understanding. l admit IN
light of subsequenteye they were many
times subject to fair criticirm, but the en-
dorsement from the people who alone
govern the republic, WAS gratIhcation,
that 1t is only human to have appreclat-
ed and enjoyed, Now for the third term,
| do not want it any more than dld the
.irst: but | would not write or utter
word to change the Will
Of the people in nomination or
IN having their choice. 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 poIlti-
cal parties can participate, fixing the
length of time or the number ol terms
for which any ono person shall be
eligible for the office of the President.
Until such an amendment Is adopted
the people cannot be restricted in
their choice by the Constitution fur
ther than they are now as to are, ma
tionslity, &c. 1t may happen IN the
future history Of the country that to
change an Executive, because he has
been eight years in Office, will prove un-
fortunate if not disastrous. The idea
that any man could elect himself Pr",l-
dent. or even TO renomlnate himself, Is
preposterous. 1t is a reflection upon the
Intelligence and patriotism of the peo-
pie to suppose such thing possible
ANY man can destroy his chances for the
office, but no one can force an election, or
even nomination.
To recaptulste, | am not
nor have ever been,
candidate for denomination. | would
not accept denomination II 1t
were rendered unless it should come un-
der such circumstances as to make 1t an
imperative uty-cirCumstances not Ike
ly to arise. congratulate the Conven-
tlon over which you presided, for the
harmony which prevailed and for the
excellent ticket put in the field and which
| hope will be triumphantly elected.
With great respect, yonr ooedlaht
servant, l. =. GRANT.
TO Hurry Wh1tc, President Of the PENN
syiraaia Republican State Conre"f'o".