The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1875-06-10
WASHINGTON, D. G., May 29, 1875. ]
EXECUTIVE MANSION,


EXECUTIVE MANSION,
se WASHINGTON, D. c., May 29, 1875.
Dear SIR: A short time subsequent to the
tion of it hostile to the Republican party, and
particularly so to the administration, started
sthe,csy of Csesarism and the third term, calling
Justify for me to define my position on the lat
Ter subject. + believed it to be beneath the
dignity of the Office, which / have been twice
called upon to fiji, to answer such question
before the subject should be presented by COM
Epesent authority TO make nomination, or by
-. body of such dignity and authority as not to
make reply fair subject of ridicule. In
fact, I have been surprised that so many sensi-
BE persons in the Republican party should
permit their enemy to force upon them and
their party ain issue which cannot add strength
tolthe party, no matter how met. But body
of che dignity and party authority Of Con-
.vention. to make nominations for the State
officers of the second State il the Union having
considered this question, I deem it not improp-
er that I should now speak.
= In the first place, never sought the office
FOR second nor even for a first nomination.
Toithe first was called from life position,
one created by Congress expressly for me, for
supposed services rendered to the Republic.
The position vacated liked. It would have
been most agreeable to me to have retained it
until such time as Congress might have con-
sented to my retirement, with the rank and
pertion of the emoluments which so much
needed, to home where the balance of my
days might be spent in peace and the enjoy
ment of domestic quiet, relieved from the cares
which have oppressed me so constantly now
for fourteen years. But was made to 6elieye
that the public good called me to make the
caalyspcr fho ofScn tho
second term, the nomination was rendered to
lmeby unanimous vote Of the delegates of all.
the States and Territories selected by the Re.
publicans of each to represent their whole
number for the purpose of making their nomi-
nation. 7 cannot say that was not pleased at
this, and at the overwhelming endorsement
which their action received at the election
following; but it must be remembered that s!l
the sacrifices, except that of comfort, had been
made in accepting the first term. Then, too,
such a fire of personal abuse and slander bad
been kept up for four years, notwithstanding
the conscientious performance of my duties to
the best of my understanding, though admit
In the light of subsequent events many times
subject to fair criticism, that an endorsement
from the people, who alone govern republics,
was qualification that it is only human to
have appreciated and enjoyed.
Now for the Third Term. do not want it
any more than I did the first. would not
write or utter word to change the will of the
people in expressing and having their choice.
The of the number of terms allowed
TO any one Executive can only come up fairly
in the shape of proposition to amend the
constitutions shape in which all political
parties can participate, fixing the length of
time or the number of terms for which any one
person shall be eligible for the Office of Presi-
dent. Until such an amendment is adopted,
the people cannot be restricted in their choice
by. resolutions, further than they are now re-
siricted as to age, nativity, &c. 1t may hap
pen, in the future history of the country, that
to change an Executive because he has been
eight years in office, will prove unfortunate, II
rot disastrous The idea that any man could
elect himself President or even nominate him
self. is preposterous. 1t is a reflection upon
the intelligence and patriotism of the people
TO suppese such thing possible Any man
can destroy his chances for the Office; but no
one can force an election, or even nomination.
TO recapitnlate. am not nor have ever
bee., candidate for denomination. would
not accept nomination, if it were rendered,
unless it should come under such circumstan-
e,es, as to make it an imperative duty-circum-
stances not likely to arise. l congratulate the
convention over which you preside for the
harmony with which its ticket has been put in
the field, and which hope may be triumph
antly elected.
With great respect, your obedient servant,
U. S. GRANT.
ToGen. Harry White, President Pennsylva-
MIA Republican State Convention.