Martinsburg independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1875-1900, 1875-06-05

| ing letter to Gen'I. Harry White,
President Of the recent Pennsylva-
mia Republican State Convention
EXECUTIVE MANSION. !
Washington, ID. e., Noy 20, rs !
DEAR SIR a short time SUBJ
sequent to the Presidential cleo
ton of 1872, the press, q portion Of
it hostile 70 the Republican party,
and particularly TO the Admins
tration, started the cry Of Caesar
isn't AID THE Third Term, . call
| ing Justify for me to define my POI
sition on the latter subject. / be-
lieved il to be beneath the dignity
of Che Office which l have been
twice called to fill. to answer such
question before the subject should
be presented by competent autho-
rity to make nomination, or by
a body of such dignity and author
ity as not to make reply a fair
subject of ridicule. In fact, / have
been surprised that so many sem
sible persons in the Republican
party should permit their enemy
to force upon them and their par
ty an issue which cannot add
strength to the party, no matter
how met. But a body Of the dig
nifty and party authority OF a con-
vention to make nominations for
the State officers of the second
State in the Union having now
considered the question, | deem it
not improper that l should now
speak.
In the first place, never sought
the office for q second nor even for
first nomination. TO the first ]
was called from a life position, one
created by Congress especially for
me, for supposed services rendered
to the Republic The position va
Gated / liked. it would have been
most agreeable to me TO have re-
tanned it until such time as Con-
gress might have consented to my
retirement, with the rank and
portion of the emoluments which
SO much needed, to home where
the balance OF my days might be
spent in peace and the enjoyment
of domestic quiet, relieved from
the cares which have oppressed me
so constantly for fourteen years.
But / was made to believe that the
public good called me to make the
sacrifice. Without seeking the of
flee for the second term.n the nc
mination was rendered to me by
unanimous vote Of the delegates
of all the States and Territories, Sc
lected by the Republicans of each
to represent their whole number
for the purpose of making their
nomination. / cannot say that |
was not pleased at this and at the
overwhelming endorsement which
their action received at the cleo
ton following. But it must be re-
membered that all the sacrifices,
except that of comfort, had been
made in accepting the first term
Then, too, such a fire of personal
abuse and SANDER had been kept
up for four years, Notwithstanding
the conscientious performance of
my duties to the best of my under
standing-though / admit. in The
iiShN VI oAboOduCht CNCutos IliNilS
times subject to fair criticism
that an endorsement from the peo-
pie, who alone govern republics,
was qualification that it is only
human TO have appreciated and
enjoyed.
Now for the "Third Term.n /
do not want it any more than /
did at first. l would not write or
utter a word to change the will of
the people in expressing and hay
ing their choice, The question of
the number OF terms allowed to
any one Executive, can only come
up fairly in the shape ola PROPOSE
ton to amend the Constitutions
shape in which all political parties
can participate, fixing the length
of time or the number CT terms for
which any person shall be eligible
for the office of President. Until
such On amendment is adopted,
the people cannot be restricted in
| their choice by resolutions further
than they are now restricted az to
| age, nativity, &c. 1t may happen
in the future history ofthe country
that to change an Executive be-
cause he has been eight years in
office, will Prove unfortunate, If
not disastrous. The idea that any
man could elect himself President
or even to nominate himseif,is pre-
posterous. 1t is a reflection upon
the intelligence and patriotism of
the people 10 suppose such a thing
possible. Any man can destroy
his chances for the office, but no
one can force an election ora NOM
nation.
TO recapitulatc: am not. nor
have | ever been, candidate for a
denomination. / would not accept