Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1875-06-04
THE PRESIDENT AND THE
THIRD TERM.

Below is President Grants first utter
ence on the subject oflthe third term, and
comes just after the Pennsylvania Repub-
lican convention (he said nothing when
the South Carolina convention Endorsed
the third term) has Iepudiated the idea.
There is too much distrust of him in and
cut of his party to warrant the belief that
his conditional and suppositional disavow-
al will be received with hearty confidence
anywhere. Unluckily just as he writes
this letter, the Washington Republican, -
his organ, Eat the request of a number of
prominent Southern Republicans prints
along letter with the stirring head line,
treason and Third Term" which ssem-
braces the very pith and marrow of argu
ment in favor of the propositions An
examination Of the document shows the
':pith and marrow'' to be that Gen. Grant
is five years younger than the youngest of
all his predecessors who served two terms.
and hence their refusal to accept third
term is not binding on him; that the peo-
pie have right to re-elect any man just as
many times as they please; that Grant is
the only Republican who can be elected,
and therefore it will be simple madness to
throw him over. And yet the people are
asked to believe that a President who lets
his only authorized mouthpiece print such
stuff as this never entertained an idea of
third term! Here is his letter:
EXECUTIVE MANSION, Washington. D.
c., May 20, 1S75.-Dear Sir: A short time
subsequent to the presidential election of
1872 the press, a portion of it, hostile 10
the republican party, and particularly so
to the administration, started the cry of
Casarism and ''the third term calling
Justify for me to define my position on tile
latter subject. l believe it to be beneath
the dignity Of the Office which I have been
twice called upon to fill, to answer such ~
question before the subject should be pre-
sented by competent authority to make
nomination, OF by a body of such dignity
and authority, as not to make a reply
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 all issue which
cannot add strength to the party, no mat
ter how met. But a oody of . the dignity
and party authority of a convention to
make nominations for the State officers of
the second State in the Union having con-
sidered this question. deem it not in-
proper that | should now speak
In the first place, l never sought the of
flee for second nor even fora first nominal
ton. To the first | was called from life
position, one created by Congress express
ly for me, for supposed services rendered
to the republic. The position vacated
liked. 1t would have been most agreeable
tome to have retained it until such time us
Congress might have consented to my rs,-
tirelnent, with the rank and Il portion of
the emoluments which | so much needed,
to home where the balance of my day
might be spent in peace and the enjoyment
Of domestic quiet, relieved from the cares
which have oppressed me so constantly
now for fourteen years. But | was made
to believe that the public good called me
to make the sacrifice. " ithout seeking
the office for the second terln,'' the nom
nation was rendered to me bya unanimous
vote of all 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. I cannot say that 1 was not
pleased at this and at the overwhelming
Endorsement which their action received
at the election following. But it must he
remembered that all the sacrifice, except
that of comfort had been made in accept
ing the first term" Then, too. such d
fire of personal abuse and Islander had been
kept up for four Years, notwiI outstanding
the conscientious performance of my du-
ties to the best of my understanding,
though [ admit in the light of subsequent
events many times subject to fair crit
ciSm. that ,sl endorsement from the p.u-
pie who alone govern republics, was Il
qualifications that it is only human TO
ilave appreciated and enjoyed.
Now for the third term | do not want
it any more than did the first. Iwould lot
write or utter Il word to chang. the will Of
the people in expressing and having The il
choice. The question of tine number IT
terms allowed any one executive can only
come up fairly in the shape of IA proposition
to amend the constitution, shape III
which all political parties can arties can
participate, fixing the length of time, ~
the number OF terms for which amy one
person shall be eligible for the Office of
President. Until such an amendment is
adopted the people cannot be restricted II
their choice by resolution 'rther t.: IL
they are now restricted as 10 age, llatiyitF Y,
SC. 1t may happen i'll the future hist" y
of tie country that 60 change an cXerut ne
because he has been eight years in Office
will prove unfortunate if not disastrous
The idea that any man could elect him
self President, or even re-nominate HIM
self, is preposterons. 1t is Il reflection ~
on 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 Il nomination..
To recapitulate: | am not, nor have
ever been IL candidate for re-nomina-
ton. I would not accept Il nomination
if it were rendered unless it would come
under such circumstances us tn make it an
imperative Observation-Disclosures not likely
to arise.
congratulate the convention over
which yOu preside for the harmony which
prevailed and for the excellent ticket put
in the field, WHICH ! hope MAY be triumph
antly elected.
With great respect, yosr obedient sery
ant,
e. s. GRANT.
To Gen. Harry White, President Penn
sylvania Republican State Conve ntion.
THE ELECTION IN ALLEGHANY county
Ha II Of A n (Nlapl