Wilmington daily commercial., 1875-05-31
FIRST EDITION.
Grant and IL Third Term.

THE PRESIDENT spEAKs-nE Is NOT A CANDIDATE
FOR RENoMINATIoN-TExT OF A LETTER TO THE
PRECEDENT OF THE PENNSYLVANIA REpuBLIcAN
CONVENTION.
President Grant has written the following let
ter to Gen. Harry White, President of the recent
| Pennsylyapia Republican State Convention.
EXECUTIVE MAssIos,
WAsHISoTos, ID. O., May 80, 1875. j
| DEAR SIR: A short time subsequent to the
Presidential election OF 1872, the press, pnr-
ton of it hostile to the Republican party, and
particularly no to the Administration, started
the cry of "Cmsarism" and the 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 fill to answer such
u question before the subject should
be presented by competent authority to make a
| nomination, or by body of such dignity and
| authority as not to make reply fair subject
Of ridicule. In fact have been surprised that
no many sensible persons i'll the Republican par
ty should permit their enemy to force upon them
and their party an issue which cannot add
strength to the party no matter how met But
a body of the dignity and party authority of a
convention to mako nominations for the State
officers of the second State in the Union having
considered this question, deem it not improper
that should speak.
In the first place, I mover sought the office
for u second, nor even for siret nomination.
To the first was called from a 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 mo to have retained it until
such time as Congress might have consented to
my retirement with the rank and portion OF
the emoumonts which / 30 much needed, to q
home where tic balance OF my days might be
spent in peace and the enjoyment
uOfnphtin
cares which haye oppressed me so
constantly now for fourteen years. But | was
made to believe that tho public good called me
to make the sacrifice. without seeking the Of
flee for the second term, the nomination was
rendered to mo by a unanimous vote of the del
egates Of all the States ami Territories, selected
by the Republicans Of each to represent their
whole number for the purpose OF making their
nomination. cannot gay that was not pleased
at this, anti at the overwhelming in
dorsement which their action received ut the
election following. But it must be remembered
thtt all tho sacrifices except that Of comfort had
been made in accepting the first term. Then,
too, such fire OF personal abuse and SANDER
had been kept up for four years, notwithstsnd-
ing the conscientious performance of my duties
to the best of my under eTstanding-though ad-
NIT, in the light of subsequent events, many
times subject to fair criticsm--that an indorse-
ment from the people, who alone govern repub-
lies, was qualification that it ID only human to
have appreciated and enjoyed.
Now, for the Third Term. do not want it
any more than did the first. / would not write
or utter a word to change the will Of the people
in expressing and having their choice. The
question of number Of terms allowed to any one
Executive can only come up fairly in the shape
of a proposition to amend the Constitution, a
shape in which all political parties can partci-
pate fixing tho length OF time or the number Of
terms for which any ono person shall be eligi-
bic for the office OF President. Unntil such
an amendment ID adopted the people cannot
be restricted in their choice by resolution
further than they arc now restricted as to age.
nativity, &c. 1t may happen in the future his
tory of the country that to change an Executive
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 renominate himself is preposterous. 1t is
a reflection 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 NOM
nation.
10 recapitulato am not, nor have ever
boon, a candidate for II denomination. l would
not accept nomination If it were rendered, un-
less it should come under such circumstances as
to make it an imperative duty, circumstances
not likely to arise. congratulate tho Conven-
ton over which you presided for the harmony
which prevailed and for the excellent ticket put
in the tield, and which hope may be triumph
antly elected. With great respect
Your obedent servant, U. y. GRANT.
To Gen. Harry White, President pennsylva-
mia Republican State Convention.