Buchanan County bulletin. [volume] (Independence, Iowa) 1869-1891, 1875-06-04
Third Tara.

Third Terra.
& President Grant has written the
following letter to the President Of
the Republican State Convention Of
Pennsylvania:
EXECUTIVE MANSION, WASHING
TON, ID. C., May Doth, ls75.-DEAR
SIR: A short time subsequent to the
Presidential election of 1872 the
press, a portion Of it hostile to the
Republican and particularly so to the
Administration, started the cry of
"Casarism'' and the "Third Term y
calling Justify for me to define my
position on the latter subject. be
lieved it to be beneath the dignity of
the office which I 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 a body of such
dignity and authority as not to make
a reply fair subject OF ridicule. In
fact, l have been surprised that SO
many sensible persons in the Repub-
lican party 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 convention to
make nominations for the State of
ficers of the second State in the
Union having considered this ques-
ton, 1 deem it not improper that |
should now speak.
In the first place, never sought
the office for second OF even Il first
nomination. To the first | was
called from life position, one crea-
ted by Congress expressly for me for
supposed services rendered the Re
public. The position vacated | liked.
1t would have been most agreeable
to me to have retained it until such
time as Congress might have con-
scented to my retirement with the
rank and portion Of the emoluments
which so much needed to u home
where the balance of my days might
be spent in peace and the enjoyment
of domestic quiet, relieved from cares
which have oppressed me so constant
ly now for fourteen years. But |
was made to believe that the public
good called me to make the sacrifices.
Without seeking the office for the
second term," the nomination was
rendered me by Il unanimous vote of
the delegates of all the States and
Territories selected by the Republi-
cans of each to represent their whole
number for the purpose OF making
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 remember
ed that all the sacrifices, except that
of comfort, had been made in accept
ing the first term" Then, too, such
a fire of personal abuse and Islander
had been kept up for four wears, not
withstanding the conscientious per-
Torrance of duties to the best of my
acknowledgement | admit, in
the light of subsequent events, many
times subject to fair criticism.
Then, an Endorsement from the
people, who alone govern republics,
was qualification that it is only hui
man nature to have appreciated and
enjoyed.
Now, for the "third term" do
not want it any more than | did the
first. I would not write or utter a
word to change the will of the peo-
Pile in expressing and having their
choice. The question of the number
of terms allowed to any one Exccu-
tive can only come up fairly in the
shape of a proposition to amend the
Constitution shape in which all
political parties can participate-fix-
ing the length OF time or the number
of terms tor which any one person
shall be eligible for the Office of Pres
ident. Until such an amendment is
adopted the people cannot be restrict
ed in their choice by resolution fur
ther than they are now restricted rs
to age, nationality, etc. 1t may hap
pen in the future history of the coun-
try that to change an Executive be-
cause he has been eight years in Of
fee, will prove unfortunate, if not
disastrous. The idea that any man
could elect himself President, Or even
nominate himself, is preposterous. 1t
10 reflection upon the intelligence
and patriotism of the people to sup
pose such thing possible. Any
man can destroy his chances for the
office, but no one can force an elect
ion or even nomination. TO recapit-
ulate: | am not nor have l ever been
a candidate for denomination. |
would not accept nomination if it
were rendered, unless it should come
under such circumstances as to make
it an imperative duty-circumstances
not likely to arise. I congratulate
the Convention over which you pre-
side for the harmony which prevailed
and for the excellent ticket put in the
field, and which l hope may be tri-
umphantly elected. With great re-
spect, your obedicnt servant,
U. S. GRANT.
To Gen. HARRY WHITE, President
Pennsylvania Republican State Con
vention.
Iowa Peace Society.