The Milan exchange. (Milan, Gibson County, Tenn.) 1874-1978, 1875-06-10
THE THIRD TERN.
An Independent Letter from President
Grant.

Grant.
WASHINGTON. ID. &C., May 30.-President
Grant has written the following letter to
General Harry White, President of the re-
cent Pennsylvania Republican State Con-
vention:
EXECUTIVE MANSION, WASHINGTON,
May 80, lS75.-DEAR SIR: A short time
subsequent to the Presidential election of
1872, the press, portion of it hostile to
the Republican party, and particularly so
TO the Administration, started the cry of
"C9sarism'' and third term" calling on
me TO define my position on the latter
subject. l believed il to be beneath the dig
nifty of the office which | have been twice
called upon to ill TO answer such a ques-
ton before the subject should be
presented by competent authority to
make nomination. or 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 Repub-
lican 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 for the
EOldic OluCCIs VI llC SGCOuu CldlC lliC
Union having considered this question, |
deem it not improper that should now
speak.
In the first place, never sought the Of
flee for a second, nor even a first, nomina-
ton. To, the frstI was called from a life
positien-one created by Congress ex-
pressly for me, for supposed services rem
dered TO the republic. The position va
Gated | liked. 1t must have been most
agreeable to me to have consented to my
retirement, with the rank and portion OF
the emOluments which | so mucn needed,
to home where the balance of my days
might be spent in peace and the enjoyment
of domestic quiet, retired from cares
which have oppressed me so constantly
for fourteen Years. But was made to be
lieve that the public good called on me to
make the sacrifice. Without seeking the
office for the second term, the nomination
was rendered me by an unanimous vote of
the delegates of all the States and Terri
tories, selected by the Republicans of each
to represent their whole number for the
purpose Of making a nomination. | can
not say that | was not pleased at this and
at the overwhelming Endorsement which
this action received at the election follow
ing, but it must be remembered that all
the sacrifices. except that of comfort, had
been made in accepting the first term.
Then, too, such a fire of personal abuse
and SANDER had been kept up four years,
Notwithstanding the conscientious per-
Torrance of my duties to the best of my
understanding (thougn | admit, in the
light of subsequent events, many times
subject to fair criticism), that an indOrse-
ment from the people, who alone govern
republics, was a qualification that it is
only human to have appreciated and en-
joyed.
Now, for the third term. | do not want
it any more than | did the first. | would
not write or utter word to change the
will of the people in expressing and in
having their choice.
The question of the number of terms al
lowed to any one Executive can only
come up fairly in the shape of a PROPOSE
ton to amend the Constitution, shape in
which all political parties can participate,
fixing the length and number of terms for
which any one person shall be eligible 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. 1t may happen in the
future history of the country, that to
change an Executive because he has been
eight years in office will prove unfOrtun-
ate, if not disastrous. -
The idea that any man could elect him
self President, or nominate himself, is pre-
posterous. 1t is reflection upon the in
telligence and patriotism of the people to
suppose such thing possible. Any man
can destroy his chances for the office, but
no man can force an election or even