The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1875-06-03
Gen. Grant On the Third Term.

Gea. Grant On the Third Term.
The Pennsylvania State Republican
Convention renominated Gov. Har
trauft, endorsed the administration oil
President Grant and declared agaius,
the 'Third Term" The last poiu,
drew the following letter from Presi
dent Grant:
EXECUTIVE MANSION, }
WAsHlNaroS. D. O., May 20, 1875
! DEAR SIR: A short time subse.
qncnt to the Presidential election OF
1872, the press-a portion Of it, hostile
to the Republican party aud particu
larly so to the Administration ed
the cry Of Caesarism and the third
term, calling Justify for ME to dctioe
my position on the latter subject.
l believe it to be beueath the diyui.
ty Of the Office which [ have been twice
called upon to fill, to answer such "a
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 the reply fair subject of ridi.
cule. 10 fact, have been surprised
that so many sensible persons in the
Republican party should permit their
enemy to force upon them and their
party en- issue which cannot add
strength to the party, no matter how
met. But \ body Of dignity aud Of
party authority, a convention to make
nominations for State officers of the
second State in the Uuion, having con-
sidered the question deem it not i'm.
proper that should now.
In the first place 1 never sought
the ofice for second nor for even
tirst nomination. To the first I was
called from life position-one created
BY Congress expressly for me, for
supposed services rendered to the Re.
public. The position vacated 1 liked
and it would have been most agreeable
to me to have retained it until such
time as Congress should have consent
ed to my retirement with the rank and
portion Of the emoluments which /
30 much needed, to home where the
balance Of my days might be spen in
peace aud enjoyment of domestic quiet,
relieved from the cares which have
oppressed me 80 constantly now for
fourteen years but was made to be-
lieve that the public good called on
me for the sacrifice. Without seeking
the Office for the second term the nonl-
ination was rendered to me by unani-
nous vote Of the delegates OF all the
States and Territories, selected by the
Republicans Of ch to represent their
whole number, for the pur pose of max.
ing their nomination. l cannot say
that l was not pleased at this and at
the overwhelming endorsement which
their action received at the election
following but it must be remembered
that all the sacrifices, except chat Of
comfort, had been made IN accepting
the frst term. Then, too, such a fire
of personal abuse and sla,der had been
kept up 70: four years, notwithstand.
ing the conscientious performance ,ot
cy duties to the best Of my under
standiny-thou.h admit in the light
Of subsequent events, many times SUBJ
] ct to fair criticism m-that an endorse
meat from the people who alone gov.
erp Republics was qualification that
is only human to have appreciated
aud enjoyed. For the third term,
do not want it any more than l did
the FIRST. l would not write word to
change the will Of the people in ex.
pressing and having their choice
Tac question Of the number Of terms
allowed any one executive Can only
come up fairly in the shape Of propo.
sition to amend the constitutional
shape in which all political parties eau
participate in fixing the length Of time
or the number Of terms for which any
one person shall be eligible fot the oil
6ce Of President Until such an
amendment is adopted, the people can
not be restricted in their choice by a
resolution further than they are now
restricted, as to age, nationality, &c.
1t may happen 10 the future history
of the country that to change an exc
cu,ive because he has been eight years
in Office will prove unfortunate, if not
disastrous. The idea that any man
could elect himself President or even
renomin,te himself is prepostcrous. 1t
is a reflection on the intelligence and
patriotism Of the people, to suppose
such thing possible. Any man can
destroy his chance for Office, but no
one can force an election or even a
nomination.
To recapitulate, am not, nor have
I ever been, a candidate for renomin-
alton. l would not accept a nomina.
tion if it were rendered, unless it
should come under such circumstances
as to make it an imperative duty-cir.
cumstanoes not likely to arise.
I congratulate the convention over
which you presided for the harmony
which prevailed and for the excellent
ticket put in the field which l hope
may be triumphantly elected.
With great respect,
Your Obdt. Servt.
u. s. GRANT.
To GEN. HARVEY WHITE,
President Pennsylvania Republi.
can Convention,
Law Points Coacerning Railroads.
The courts have decided that sleep.