Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1875-06-09
EXECUTIVE MANSION.

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EXECUTIVE MANSION, !
WASHINGTON, ID. c., MAY 20, 10. {
DEAR SIR.-A short time subse
qucnt to the Presidential election O
1872 the pres5-a portion Of it hos
tile to the Republican party, and par
ticularly so to the Administration
started Che cry Of Cnsarism and the
third term, calling Justify for me tc
define my position on the latter sub
ject. | believed it to be beneath tn {
dignity of the Office which | have
been twice called upon to fill TO an
swer such question before the sub
ject should be presented by competent
authority to make a nomination, or 10y
body OF such dignity and authority
as not to make Il reply fair subject
Of ridiculc. In fact | have been sur
prised that so many sensible persons
in the Republican party should permit
their enemy to force upon them and
their party IN 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 a nomination for the State Off
GERS OF the second State in the Union
having considered this question, |
deem it not improper that | should
now speak. In the first place | never
sought The Office for second nor
even a first nomination. TO the first
| was called from a life position, one
created by Congress expressly for me,
for supposed services rendered to the
Republic. The position vacated |
liked. 1t would have been most
agreeable to me to have retained ii
until such time as Congress might
have consented to my retirement with
the rank and Il portion Of the emolu-
mentS which | so much needed to a
home where the balance OF my days
might be spent in peace and the en-.
joyment of domestic quiet, relieved
lrom the cares which have oppressed
me so constantly for fourteen years,
but | was made to believe that the
public good called me to make the
sacrifice. Without seeking the Office
for the second term the nomination
was rendered to me by the unanimous
votes Of the delegates Of all the States
and Territories selected by the Repub-
licans Of each to represent the whole
number for the purpose Of making
their nominations. | cannot say that
| was not pleased at this and at the
overwhelming endorsement which
their action received ut the election
following But it must be ,'emember.
ed that all the sacrifices except that
OF comfort had been made in accept
inc the first term" Then, too, such
a fire Of personal abuse and SANDER
had been kept up for four years, not
outstanding the conscientious per-
Torrance Of my duties to the best of
my understanding, though | admit, in
the light of subsequent events, many
times subject to fair criticism, that al
endorsement from the people, who
alone govern prejudice, was a gratili-
cation that is only human to have ap-
preciated not enjoyed. 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 having their choice. The ques-
ton of the number OF terms allowed
to any one Executive can only come
up fairly in the shape Of a proposition
to amend the Constitution, shape in
which all political parties can anticl,
pate, fixing the length OF time or num-
Der of terms for which any one person
shall be eligible for the office Of Presl-
dent. Until such an amendment is
adopted the people cannot he restrict
ed 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 to change an Executive
because he has been eight years in
office will prove unfortunate, if not
disastrous. The idea that any man
could elect himself President, or even
renominqte himself, is preposterous.
1t is a reflection upon the intelligence
and patriotism Of the people to sup
pose such thing possible. Any man
can destroy his chances for the office,
but no one c2n force an election or
even nomination. TO recapitulate,
| am not. nor have | ever been, a can.
didate for denomination. | would not
accept nomination if it were tender
ed, unless it should come under such
circumstances as to make it an impcr
alive duty, circumstance not likely
to arise. | congratulate the Conven
ton over which you presided for the
harmony which prevailed and for the
excellent ticket put in the field, and
which l hope may be triumphantly
elected.
With great respect,
Your obedient servant,
(Signed) L. S. GRANT.
The writing Of the above letter
must have been like the drawing of
teeth to our worthy Third-term seeker
after the Presdency-and probably