Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1875-06-04
The SPHYMx SPE KS!
GRANT DON'T WANT 4 THIRD
u T. AZ NI-P<sII zEC2L - - u az
GRAPES.
{ harscteriStIC letter from the Pre-
sent occupant 81 IEc White
EE0use-A Nice specimen OF
Presidential taste "a nd
Temper.
EXECUTIVE MANSION,
WASHINGTON, d. c., May %, 1879

Dear Sir &: A short time subsequent
to the presidential election OF 1872. the
press, IA portion of it hostile to the Re-
publican party, and particularly SO TO
the administration, started the cry OF
Casari~m and the Third term, calling
Justify for me to define my position on
the latter subject. I believed it to be
ben cath the dignity Of the office. which
l have been twice called upon to fill,
to answer such d question before the
subject should be presented by com
petent authority to make nomlna-
ton, or by body of such dignity aud
authority as not to make q reply q fair
subject of ridicule. In fast, [ have
been surprised that SO many sensible
persons IN the Republican party should
permit their enemy to force upon them
and their party all issue which cannot
add strength to the party, 10 matter
how met. But a body of the dignity
and party authority of a COnveHtlOn To
make nominations for the State officers
OF the second State in the Union hav-
ing considered this question, | deem II
not improper that L should now speak,
In the first place, never sought the
office for second nor even for first
nomination. To the first [ was called
from a life position, one created 10y
Congress expressly Tor me, for sup
pos. d services rendered to the Repub-
lie. The position vacated L liked. 1t
would have been most agreebie to ne
to have retained IL until such time tss
Congress might have consented to my
re irement, with the rank and Il pOr-
ton of the emoiuments winch SO
much needed, to II home where the
balance of my days might be spent in
peace and tue enjoyment Of domestic
quiet, relieved from the cares which
have oppressed me so constantly now
for fourteen years. But / was made
to believe that the punIc good called
me to make the sacrifice. NlthOuh
seeking the office for the second term,
the nomination WAS rendered to me by
a uuanimOus vote If the Delegates 81
all the States and Territories Selecte
by the Republicans OF each TO rep, G.
sent their whole number for the pur
pose of making their nomination. 1
cannot say that L was not pleased ut
his, and at the ovcrw he ming endorse
ment which their action received at
the election following; but 1t must tie
remembered shat all the sacrifices, tx
cept that OF comfort, haG been made
in accepting the first term. Then, too
such fire of personal abuse and SIAN
der had been kept up for four years,
Notwithstanding the conscientious Per
formance of my duties tn the best ot
my understanding, though L admit IL
! the light of subsequent events MANY
times subject to fair criticism, that IN
| endorsement from the people, who
alone govern republics, was Ii gratiti-
cation that it is ouiy human to have
appreciated and enjoyed.
| Now for the Third Term. [ do not
want It any more than did the first.
| would not write o: utter a. word t.
/ change the viii of the people in ex-
/ pressing aud having their choice. lie
/ question of the number of terms al
| lowed to any one Executive can only
! come up fairly III the shape Of a propo
sltiOu to amend the constitutional
/ shape III which all pOiitica! parties cal
participate, fixing the length of time
! or the number Of terms for which any
+ one person shall be eligible for tie
/ office OF President. Until such al
amendment Is adopted, the people
cannot be restricted lii their choice III
| resolution, further than they are now
restricted as to age, nativity, &c. l.
may happen, in the future inst, rs
of the count y, that to chapgt
an Executive because he h&E
/ been eight years III Office, viii prove
/ unfortunate, if not disastrous. Tie
! idea that any man could elect himself
! President, or even nominate himself
/ is preposterous. 1t is u re Fiction up
/ on the Intelligence and patriotism o.
/ the people 10 suppose such a thing pos
sible. Any man clu destroy his chances
for the office but no one can force al
( election, or even nomination.
| TO recapituate, am not, nor have
ever been, a candidate for renomi
nation. L would not accept a nomIna
! ton, if it were rendered, unless Il
should come under such circumstance
as to make it an imperative Guty-clr
cumstances not likely to arise. | con
! graduate the convention over which
you preside for the harmony with
which its ticket has been put in the
field, and which | hope may be tri-
umphantIy elected.
With great respect, your obedient
servant, L. 5. GRANT.
To Gen. Harry White, president
Pennsylvania Republican State Con
vention.