The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1875-05-31
ByTeIegraph
ASSOCIATED PRESS REPORT.
TO THE DAILY INTELLIGENCER
Gen. Grant Speaks at Last,
HIS VIEWS ON TH!ETHIRD TERM
Neither Seeks Nor Would Accept a
denomination.
Gen. Grant Speaks at Last.
HIS VIEWS ON THE THIRD TERM


has written the following letter to Gen
Harry White, President OF the recent
Pennsylvania Republican Convention;
Executive MANSION, WASHINGTON, D. c., /
..'.. May -, 1875. !
DEAR SRA short time subsequent to
the Presidential election Of 1872 tho
press--a portion of 1t hostile to the Re.
publican party, and particularly so to the
administration-slarted tho cry Of Cusar'
ism 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 l have been
twice called upon to I'll to answer such a
question before the subject should be pro-
sented by a competent authority to make
a nomination, Of body OF such dignity
and authority Ms not to make reply n
fair subject Of ridiCue, In fact ! have
been surprised that so many sensible per.
sons in the Republican party should per-
init 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 au-
thority Of a Convention to make nomina.
tions for State officers Of the second State
in tho Union having considered this ques.
ton, deem 1t not improper that should
speak, In the first place never sought
the place for second or even first
nomination. To the first was called
from life position, one created by Con.
gress expressly for me for supposed
services rendered to the Republic
The position vacated Il liked ~
would have been most agreeable to me to
have retained until such time rs Con.
grCSs might have consented to my retire.
ment with the rank and u portion Of the
emOluments which | so much needed, to II
home where the balance Of my days might
be spent in peace and tho enjoyment Of
domestic quiet, relieved from the cares
which have oppressed me constantly now
for fourteen years. | was made to believe
that the public good called NC to nuke
tho sacrifice for the second term. The
nomination was rendered to me by an
unanimous vote Of the delegates oil oil the
States, selected by tho Republicans Of
each to represent their whole number for
the purpose Of making their nomination.
| can not say that | was not pleased ut
this and at the overwhelming endorse.
ment which their action received at the
election following; but II must bO
remembered that all the sacrifices
except that Of comfort had already
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, Oftener
subject to fair criticism than endorsement
from the people, who alone govern the
Republic, was n qualification that II is
only human to have appreciated and en-
joyed. Now, for the third term do not
want 1t any more than did the first. |
would not write Orutter 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 tx.
ecutivc can only come up fairly IN the
shnpe OF n proposition to amend the Con.
sutiltion'-a shape in which all political
parties can pnrtiCipate-lixing the length
Of time or the number Of terms for
which any one person shall be eligible
for the office OF President Of tho United
States. Until such an amendment is
adopted the people cannot be restricted
in their choice by resolution further than
they are now restricted as to age, nat
ionality, Nc. II may happen in the fu.
ture history Of the country that 10 change
an Executive because ho has been eight
years in Office will prove unfortunate II
not disastrous. The. idea that any man
could elect himself President, or even to
renominate himself Is prepOsterous. II
il reflection upon the intelligence and
patriotism Of the people to suppose such
a thing possible. Any man can dcs-
troy his CinnCes for the Office,
but no one can force M cleo
tion or even nomination. To re.
capitulatc, am not nor have | ever been
candidate for denomination; | would not
accept nomination II Il were rendered,
unless II should come under such cir.
cumstances as to make itnn imperative
duty, circumstances not likely to arise.
| congratulate the Convention, over which
you preside, for the harmony which pro.
vailed, and for the excellent ticket put In
tue field and which hope may be trium.
phantly elected. Your obedient servant,
~ U. s. GRANT.
70 Gen. Harry White, President Of The Penn.
@lrtnia Republican Slatc Convention.