The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1875-06-03
The Third-Term Question--Letter
from President Grant.

WASHINGTON, May 80.
President Grant has written the follow
ing letter to Gen Harry White, President
of the recent Pennsylvania Republican
State Convention:
EXECUTIVE MANSION. WASHINGTON D. c.,
May %, 1875.
DEAR SIR: A short time subsequent to the
Presidential election of 1872, the press, q por-
ton of it hostile 70 the Republican party, and
particularly so tothe Administration, started
the cry of " "Casarism" and the g Third term,n
calling Justify for me 10 define my position on
the latter subject. / believed it to be epeath
the dignity of the Office which l have been
twice called upon to I'LL to answer such ques-
ton before the subject should be presented by
competent authority to make nomination,
or by body of such dignity and authority
as not to make reply a fair subject of ridicule.
In fact, have been surprised that so many
sensible persons in the Republican 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 body of the dignity and party
authority of convention to make nomina-
hons for the State officers Of the second
State in the Union having considered this
question, deem il not improper that | should
uow speak.
In the first place, never sought the Office
for second, nor even for first nomination.
To the first was called from a life position,
one createdby Congress expressly for me for
supposed services rendered TO the Republic.
The position vacated liked. 1t would have
been most agreeable to me to have retained
it until such time as Congress might have
consented to my retirement with the rank
and a portion Of the emoluments, which / SO
much needed, to a home where the bal
ance of my days might be spent in
peace and the enjoyment of domestic
quiet relieved from cares which have
sod s1x-
years, but was made to believe that the pub
lie good called me TO make the sacrifice.
Without seeking the Office for the second
term" the nomination was rendered to me by
unanimous vote of the delegation of all the
States and Territories selected by the Repub-
hcans of each to represent their whole num-
Der for the purpose OF making their nomina-
ton. l cannot say that | was not pleased
at this and at the overwhelming in
dorsement which their action received
at the election following. But it must
be remembered that all the sacrifices
except that Of comfort had been made
in accepting the first term" Then, too,
such fire OF personal abuse and slander had
been kept up for four years, Notwithstanding
the conscientious performance of my duties
to the best of my understanding, though |
admit, in the light of subsequent events,
many times subject to fair criticism, that an
Endorsement from the people, who alone gov
only human to have appreciated and enjoyed.
Now, for the :" third term" do not want it
any more than l did the first. l would not
write or utter word to change the will of the
people In expressing 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
Constitutions shape in which all political
parties can notwithstanding the length Of
time or the number of terms for which any
one person shall be eligible for the
office of President. Until such an amend
ment is adopted the people cannot be
restricted in their choice by resolution
age, nationality, etc. 1t may happen in The
an Executive because he nas been eight years
in office will prove unfortunate if not disas-
trouS.
President or even renominate himself is pre-
postorous. 1t Is a reflection upon the intelli-
gence 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 election or even nomination.
To recapitulate, l am not, nor have l ever
been, candidate for a denomination. | would
not accept a nomination if it we're rendered
unless it should come under such crcum-
stances as to make it an imperative duty-cir-
cumstances not likely 10 arise l congratu-
late the convention over which you presided
for the harmony which prevailed ard for the
excellent ticket put in the field and which |
hope may be triumphantly elected
With great respect, your obedieat servant,
U. s. GRANT