Bradford opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1874-1881, 1875-06-05
The Third Term Question.

|
President Graut has written the following
letter to Gen Harry White. President of the
recent Pennsylvania kepu blican State Con-
ventiOn;
| EXECUTIVE MANSION.
WARRINGTON. u. o., May 70, 1873.
| Dear Sir: A short time subsequent to the
Presidential election of 1872. the press-a por-
| ton of ID hostile to the Administration,
| started the cry of "CRsarism," and tho
Third Term" calling Justify for me to define
my position on the latter subject. believed
it to be beneath the dignity Of the Office which
have been twice called upon to III to answer
such q question before the subject should be
presented by competent authority to make
nomination, or by a body of such dignity and
authority as not to make reply fair sub
ject Of redicule,
In fact, l have been surprised that so many
sensible persons in the Republican party
should premit their enemy to force upon them
and their party an issue which cannot add
strength to the party, 10 matter how met |;
but body Of the dignity and pal ~ authority
of a Convention to make nominations for the
State Offcers of the second State in the Union
| having considered this question, deem it not
| improper that ! should now speak. In the
| first place never sought the office for sec
ond nor g zen for u first nomination. 10 the
| first l was called from q life position, one
created by Congress expressly for me, for sup
posed services rendered to the Republic.
| The position vacated liked. 1t would have
been most agreeable to me to have retained
it until such time as Congress might have
| consented 10 my retirement with the rank
| and portion OF the emOlulnents, which l 80
much needed, to u home where the balance of
my days might be spent in peace and the en-
joyment OF domestic quiet. relieved from the
cares which have oppressed me 50 constantly
for fourteen years; but was made to believe
that the public good called me to make tho
sacrifice.
Without seeking the Office for the second
term the nomination was tended to Inc by the
unanimous vote, OF the delegates OF all the
States and Territories selected by the Repub-
licams OF each to represent their whole mum
Der for the purpose Of making their nolnina-
ton. Icannot say that was not pleased ut
this, and at the overwhelming in'lorse'ne MT
lowing. But it mu st be remembered that all
the sacrifices except that of comfort had been
made in accepting the first term" Then, too
such tire of personal abuse and SANDER had
been kept UP for years, Notwithstanding the
conscientious performance OF my duties to
the best OF my understanding. though admit
in the light OF subsequent events, many times
ul,in.t t,,f fair that "a a
from the people, who alone govern republics,
was IL qualification that is only human to have
appreciated and enjoyed.
Now for the third torIn.' l do not want it
any more than | did the first. | would not
write Or utter word to change the will OF the
people in expressing and having their choice.
The question of the number of terms allowed
to one Executive Can only come up fatally in
the shape of IL proposition to amend the Con-
stitution, a shape i'll which ali political par
ties can participate, fixing the length Of time
or number of terms Tor which any person
shall be eligible for the office of President
Until such an amendment is adopted the peO-
pie cannot be restricted in their choice US to
age, nationality. &c. 1t may happen in the
future history of the country that to change
an Executive because he has been eight years
il, office will prove unfortunate, if not disast-
curious,
The idea that a"y man could elect himself
is preposterous. 1t is il reflection upon the in-
telligence and patriotism OF the people to sup
pose such thing possible. Any man can de-
stroy his chances for the Office but no one can
fulcc an election or even nDnin lton.
To recapitulate, l am not nor have ever
been candidate for denomination if it were
rendered, unless it should come under such
us to make it an imperative |
duty.a circumstance not likely to arise. CON
graduate the Convention over which you pre-
sided for the harmony which prevailed and
for the excellent ticket put in the field, and
which hope may be trumphantly elected
With great respect,
Ysur obedieut servant,
(Sighed) U. s. GRANT.
To General Harry White. President of the |
Pennsylvania Re publican State Convention