The Emporia news. [volume] (Emporia, Kan.) 1859-1881, 1875-06-11
THIRD TERM.
what Grant Thinks AbOutIt.
EXECUTIVE MANSION, }
WAau Nav 0Qth UQTF

EXECUTIVE MANSION,
WASH, May 18th, 1875.
DEAR SIR: A short time subse-
quent to the presidential election
of 1872, the press, a portion of II
hostile to the Republican party and
particularly so TO the administra-
ton, started the cry of Cesarism
and third term, calling Justify for
me to define my position on the lat
ter subject. / believed it to be be-
meath the dignity OF the Office
which have been twice called mp
on to fill, TO answer snch q question
before the subject should be pre-
sented by competent authority TO
make a nomination, or by q body of
such dignity and authority as not to
make a reply q fair subject of ridi-
cnle. In fact, l have been surprised
that so many sensible persons in the
Republican party should permit
their enmitY TO force upon them
and their party an issue which can
not add strength TO the party, no
IA tier how met but a body OF the
dignity and party authority of q
convention to make nominations
for the state officers OF the second
state in the Union, having consider
ed this question, l deem it not i'm
proper that i should now speak.
IN THE FIRST PLACE,
l never sought the Office for Sec
ond, nor even q first nomination.
To the first was called from life
position, one created by Congress
expressly for me, for supposed SER
vices rendered to the Republic.
The position vacated I liked, it
would have been most agreeable to
me to have retained it till such time
as Congress might have consented
to my retirement with the rank
and a portion of the emoluments
which so much needed, to 8 house
where the balance OF my DAYS
might be
SPENT IN PEACE
aud the enjoyment of domestic
quiet, retired from the cares which
have oppressed me now SO constant
ly for fourteen years; but i was
made TO believe that the public
good called me to make the sacri-
flee. Without seeking the Office for
the second time, the nomination
was rendered to me by a unanimous
vote of the delegates of all the
States and Territories, selected by
the Republicans of each, to repre-
sent their whole number for the
purpose of making their nomina-
ton. l cannot say that 1 was not
pleased at this, and at the over
whelming endorsement which their
action received at the election fol-
To- AguN - \. 4
that all the sacrifices except COM
fort had been made, in accepting
the fret term. Then, too such q
fire OF personal abuse and SANDER
had been kept up for four years,
Notwithstanding the continuous
performance of my duties to the
best OF my understanding, though
admit I'm the light OF subsequent
events many times subject to fair
criticism, that an endorsement from
the people who alone govern the
Republic was qualification that is
only human to have appreciated and
enjoyed.
Now for the third term.
DO NOT WANT 1T
any more than / did the first. /
would not write or utter q word to
change the will of the people in ex-
pressing and having their choice.
The question of the number of
terms allowed to any one executive
can only come up fairly in the shape
OF proposition TO amend the con-
stitution in the shape in which all
political parties can participate, de-
fining the length of time or the
number of terms for which any one
person shall be eligible for Office of
President. Until such an amend
ment is adopted the people cannot
be restricted in their choice by res
Olution further than they are now
restricted as to age, nationality, ETC.,
etc. 1t may happen in the future
history of the country that to
change an Executive because be has
been eight years in Office, will prove
unfortunate if not disastrous. The
idea that any man could elect him
self President, or even renominate
himself, is prepOsterOus. 1t is II re-
Election upon the intelligence and
PATRIOTISM OF THE PEOPLE.
to suppose such thing possible.
Any man can destroy his chances
for the Office, but no one can force
an election or even nomination. To
recapitulate, l am not, nor have j
ever been, a candidate for q renom-
ination. would not accept q NOM
inatIon if it were rendered, unless
it should come under such circum-
stances as to make it an imperative
Observation-Disclosures not likely to
arise. l congratulate the conven-
ton over which you presided, for
the harmony which prevailed, and
for the excellent ticket put IN the
field, and which hope may be tri-
umphantly elected.
With great respect, your Obedi-
enL servant, u. S. GRANT.
To Gen. Harry White, President
Pennsylvania Republican State