, 1875-06-05
The Third Term.

The -Pennsylvania repub4lcah COh'ehhOh
adopted a series of resolutions deuouneIng
the Z" third term " proposition, and declaring
that under no circumstances viii the repno-
Iican party endorse or approve an innovation
upon the uuwritter law Of the Republic that
restricts the incumbent of the Presidential
Office to two terms. This declaration OF the
Pennsylvania republicans has called forth the
following letter from President Grant:
W.sHrsoTo,, May @, 1873.
Dsar So "A short time subsequent TO the
Presidential election of 1872, the press a Por-
ton OF it hostile 10 the republican party
particularly SO TO the adminIstration-star
the cry of C.t.sarism and third term, calling
Justify for me to define my position on the
latter subject. I believed 1t beneath the
dignity Of the Office Of which | have been
twice called to fill to answer the question,
before the subject should be presented by
competent authority 90 make nomination,
or by body of such dignity and authority
as not 10 make reply a fair subject OF rldl-
cule In fact, have been surprised that 50
many sensible persons in the republican party
should permit their enemy to force upon them
and the party an issue which cannot add
strength 10 the party, no matter how met oy
body Of the dignity and authority OF
party convention to make nominations Tor
State officers.
The second State in the Union having
considered the question, l deem II not I'M
proper that l should speak. In the first
place | never sought the office Tor second,
nor even the first nomination. To the first
was called from life position, one created
by Congress expressly fer me for supposed
services rendered to the republic. Tbs posi-
ton vacated, liked. II wOuld have been
most agreeable to me TO have retained it until
such time as Congress might have consented
to NV retirement with the rank and portion
of the e1noluments | 50 much need, to a
home where the balance of my days might
be spent in peace and the enjoyment OF do
mesiic quiet relieved of the cares which have
oppressed me constantly for fourteen years
but | was made to believe that the public
good called me 10 make the sacrifice. With
out seeking the office for the second term the
nomination was rendered me by the unani-
nous vote OF delegates of all the States and
Territories selected by the republicans of
each to represent their whole number for the
purpose of making a nomination. / cannot
say | WAS not pleased at this and the over
wheiming endorsement their action received
at the election following, but it must be re-
membered that all sacrifices except that of
comfort had been made in accepting the first
term. Then, too, such fire of personal
abuse and SANDER had been kept up for four
years, Notwithstanding the conscious per-
fOrmance of my duties 10 the best of my un-
derstanding, though / admit, IN the light of
subsequent events, many times subject TO
fair criticism, that an indorsement from
those who alone govern the republic WAS a
qualification that it is only human TO have
appreciated and enjoyed
Now for tho third term. | do not want it
any more than | did the first. | would not
write nor utter word to change the viii Of
the people III expressing and having their
choice. The question of the number of terms
allowed one executive can only come up fair
ly III the shape OF proposition to amend the
constitutions shape III which all political
parties can participate IN fixing the length
of time or number OF years Tor which one
person shall be eligible for the office of Presi-
dent. Until such amendment Is adopted,
the people cannot be restricted in their choice
by resolution, further than now restricted as
to age. nationality, &c. 1t may happen IN
the future history Of the country that TO
change the executive because he has been
eight years in office will prove unfortunate if
not disastrous.
The idea that any man could elect himself
President, OF even nominate himself, is pre-
rOSterous. 1t Is a reflection on the intelli-
gencs and patriotism OF the prople to suppose
such thing possible. Any man can destroy
his chances for the Office, but no one can
force an election or nomination. | am not
nor have ever been u candidate for reuOmi
nation. ! would not accept nomination
were it rendered, unless it came under such
circumstances as 10 make II an imperative
duty-circumStanceS not likely 10 arise. !
congratulate the convention over which you
presided for the harmony which prevailed
and for the excellent ticket put in the field,
and which | hope may be triumphantly
elected. With great respect, your obedient
servant. L. ). GRANT.