The New Orleans bulletin. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1874-1876, 1875-06-01


Of the anti-third term resolution adopted by
that body:
EXECUTIVE MANSION,
Washington. May 20, 1875. I
Dear SRA short time subsequent to the
Presidential election of 1872, the press, q
portion of it hostile to the Republican party,
and particularly SO to the Administration,
started the CRY of Cesarism 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 l have
been twice called uponlto fill to answer such a
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 the subject OF rdlcule
In fact have been surprised that 80 many
sensible persons in the Republican party
should permit their enemy to force upon them
and their party an issue which can not add
strength to the party, no matter how met; but
a body of the dignity and party authority Of
a convention to make nominations for the
State officers of the second State in the Union
having considered this question, l deem it
not improper that should now speak. In
the first place, I never sought the Office for a
second. nor even for first nomination. 70
the first was called from 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 me to have retained it
until such time as Congress might have con
scented to my retirement, and with the rank
and a portion of the emoluments, which so
much needed, to home where the balance OF
my days might be spent in peace and the en-
ioyment of domestic quiet, relieved from the
cares which have oppressed me so constantly
now for fourteen years. but l was made to be-
lieve that the public good called me to make
the sacrifice without seeking the office for the
"second term" The nomination was ten
dered to me by unanimous vote OF the dele.
gates of all the States and Territories selected
by the Republicans of each to represent
their whole number for the purpose of
making their nomination. I. cannot say
that was not pleased at this
and at the overwhelming Endorsement which
their action received at the election following
But it must be remembered that all the sacri-
fees, except that Of comfort, had been made
in accepting the first term. Then, too, such
q fire Of personal abuse and SANDER had been
kept up for four years, Notwithstanding the
conscientious performance Ct my duties to the
best of my understanding-th though admit
in the light of subsequent events, many times
subject to fair criticism-that an Endorsement
from the people, who alone govern republics,
was qualification that it is only human to
have appreciated and enjoyed.
Grant concludes: Now for the third term.
do not want it any more than did the first.
l would not write or utter word to change
the will of the people in expressing and hav-
ing their choice. The question Of the num-
Der of terms allowed to any one executive can
only come up fairly in the shape of a PROPOSE
ton to amend the Constitutions shape in
which all political parties can participate,
fixing the length of time or the number of
terms for which any one person shall be eli
gible for the Office of President.
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, nativity, ETC., it may happen IN the
future history Of the country that to change
an executive because he has been eight years
in Office, will! prove unfortunate if not disas-
trous. The idea that any man could elect
himself President, or even nominate himself,
is preposterous. It is q reflection upon the
intelligence and patriotism Of the people to
suppose such thing possible. Any man can
destroy his chance for the office, but no one
can force an election or even nomination.
To recapitulate, I am not nor have l ever
been q candidate for denomination.
would not accept nomination If it were ten
dered unless it should come under such cir
cumstances as to make it an imperative duty,
not likely to arise. congrat-
utate the convention over which you presided
for the harmony which prevailed and for the
excellent ticket put in the field, and which !
hope may be triumphantly elected.
With great respect, your obedient servant,
U. s. GRANT.
To Gen. Harry White, President Pennsylvania
Republican Convention.