Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1875-06-08
EXECUTIVE MANSION.

Convention:
EXECUTIVE MANSION.
Washington, ID. c.. May, ~ To.>
Dear SRA short time subsequent 70
the presidential election OF 1877 the press
"a portion of it hostile 70 the Republican
party, and particularly so 10 the admins,
ration started the cry OF C@sarism ana
the third term, calling Justify ier me 10
define my position on the latter SUBJECT,
| believed il TO be beneath the dignity oil
the office which have been twice called
upon to fill. to answer such question
before the subject should be presented by
competent authority 10 make nomina.
ton, or by body of such dignity ana
authority as not TO make "A reply iair
subject of ridicule. In fact, i 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 a convention to make nominations Tor
the State offices of the second State IN the
Union having considered this question,
deem it not improper that l should now
speak.
, In the first place, never sought the
Office for second. nor even for llrst
nomination. To the first | was called
from lite position, one created by Con-
gress expressly for me. for supposed ser
vices rendered to the republic. The po'
sition vacated | liked II would have
. been most agreeable 10 me TO have re-
tanned it until such time as Congress
might have consented 10 my retirement
| with the rank aud portion OF the emolu-
. ments which | so much needed. TO home
where The balance OF my days might be
spent in peace and The enjoymentoi do
mestic quiet. relieved of the cares which
: oppressed me SO constantly Tor fourteen
/ wears; but | was made TO believe that
the public good called me TO make The
sacrifice. Without seeking the Office Tor
the second term the nomination was ten.
9 dered to me by the unanimous votes oil
e the delegates OF all the States and Terri
I tories selected by the Republicans OF each
y, to represent their whole number Tor The
= purpose OF making their nominations. /
cannot say that was not pleased at THIS
: and at the overwhelming Endorsement
@ which their action received at the election
following. But il must be remembered
, that all The sacrifices except that o! com
fort had been made in accepting the 'hrSt
G term Then. too, such a fire OF personal
@ abuse and SANDER had been kept up Tor
TOUR years, Notwithstanding the conscicn
tious performance OF ms duties 10 The
y best OF my understanding, though | al.
i nit. in the light OF subsequent events.
) many times subject to fair criticism. that
=. IN Endorsement from the people. who
alone govern republics, with gtailiica
ton that il Is only human 10 have appre
= ciaIed and enjoyed.
Now for the third term DO not
want it any more than | did the first. ]
would not write or utter word 10 change
the will of the people in expressing and
c having their choice. The question OF the
}. number OF terms allowed 10 any one eX
a ecutve can only come up fairly In the
shape OF proposition TO amend tho oon.
s,i,ution. n shape in which all political
parties can participate. iNing the length
Of time or number OF terms Tor which
auy one person shall be eligible Tor the
office OF President Until such an amend.
ment is adopted. the people cannot be re-
stricted in their choice by resolution
further than they are now restricted as TO
age. nationality. etc
1t may happen in The future history OF
the country that 10 change m executive
because he has been eight years in Office
will prove unfortunate, il not disastrous.
The idea that any man could elect him.
self President, or even renominale him
self, is preposlerons. 1t is a reflection
upon The intelligence and patriotism oil
the people TO suppose such Il thing posi-
BILE. ANY man can destroy his chances
for the Office. but no one can force an
election or even nomination.
To recapitulate, ! am not nor have
ever been a candidate for denomination.
would not accept u nomination II 1t
were rendered, unless it should come IN.
der such circumstances as to make 1t an
imperative duty circumstance 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. and which hope may &c
lriumphantly elected.