The Weekly Kansas chief. [volume] (Troy, Kan.) 1872-1918, 1875-06-10
Grant ON the Third Term.

Grant on the II
Grant has at last spoken on the question Oh 'ne
Third Term, and now the chorus goes up
the newspapers that we're wont 10 hoo. -
mTyb;rd Term bumbug ~ that C@sarlsm Is ue"u'
atbe third term humbug set at rest
os.,lss the onestion," and all that sort Oh 'nins
So far from settling the question: Uian'' " -"
latter. proyes that those were correct VIM '"'i
al ,b.. he desired third term, and, as lar as ne
- oJ 80 u is rs unsettled as ever He
throws the whole responsibility upon the people
we tbi. week publish the Presidents letter,
that all NAV read and judge for themselves. Ihe
Ie,ter is written to the President of the late
Penusylvania Republican State Convention, and
has been brought out by the anti-third-term res
olution of the Convention. 1t appears to be an
outbreak of anger, intended as a rebuke to the
Convention, for being driven into an expression
by the clamor of the enemies of the Republican
party-aud was probably intended to deter the
Republicans of Ohio, who were in session at the
time, from adopting similar resolution IN 'neir
platform. That Convention, it seems, did not re-
gard the Presidents letter as settler ior 'ne!
Immediately pronounced emphatically against a
third term. The Pennsylvania Republicans uo
serve the thanks of of the party throughout the
Union.
yeution vet to be held, should make itself heard
on the subject.
Grant saws that the action of the Pennsylva-
MIA Convention was the first opportunity ever
given him, except the clamor of the enemies OF
the party, to speak upon the question, without
compromising his dignity. The Republican Con-
yention of South Carolina, year ago, adopted a
resolution in favor of third term. If he was op-
posed to it, then was the time to have spoken.
But he kept still, and by his silence approved
the sentiment. 1t is only when Conventions De-
gin to denounce third term, that he delgns 10
write letter telling them that they are fools Tor
being driven into an expression by the clamors
of their enemies.
And what does his letter really amount to-
He SAYS he did not seek first election, or sec
opd. and does not seek a third more than he did
a first The inference is unavoidable, that as he
was willing to accept q first and second, he
would be as willing to accept a third. But he
saws. emphatically, that he would not accept
third election, if rendered to him-then spoils it
with the provso, unless il should come under such
circumstances as to make IL Imperative duty! 1t
is now in order for his strikers to go to work to
bring about the circumstances that will make
the duty imperative, and to force a third term
upon him.
To show that his letter is not clear and salts
factory, it is only necessary to say that his most
intimate friends at Washington are not agreed
as to his meaning, but put their own interpreta-
tion and construction upon it, If man wishes
to settle such an important question beyond
doubt, he ought to make it clear enough at least
for his personal friends and advisers to under
stand his meaning.
The President then launches out into a disser-
tation upon the will of the people. They have
q right to elect man as often as they wish to,
and the only way to prevent it is Consti-
tutional provision to that effect. As nobody
has disputed this proposition, are left to infer
that he is willing as long as the people are.
Grant tells of the sacrifices he made in accept
ing the first term-a big life Office, created es-
pecialy for him, the salary of which he needed,
and all that; and we suppose he now thinks he
has right to another big thing for life, to recon-
pense him for the loss of that. The poor fellow
doesn't tell that the salary of President was
doubled for his especial benefit, and that with
the emoluments and perquisites of that Office
his pickings and speculatioans, and his many
valuable presents, he ought to retire with sutfi-
cient wealth to live like Prince the balance of
his days. If not perhaps that life Office could
be again saddled upon him, and he could thus be
placed beyond the reach of want.
Grant has rendered valuable service to the
country, and has made, in the main, good Pres
ident. But he has been rewarded to the full ex-
tent of his merits, and as fully as was George
Washington. He has been foully abused, but so
was Washington; and in point of pay, Washing
toms was but a drop in the bucket compared
with Grants The idea of third term is re-
pugnant to the American people, and the belief
that Grant desired third term has proven dis
astrous to the Republican party. In this crisis,
he has chosen to remain silent, and thus confirm
the clamors of the enemies of the party. The
party now owes it to itself to speak in its own
behalf. Every State Convention should pro-
nounce upon the question clearly and emphatic
ally; and then the people should look to it that
the ofice-holders do not steal a march upon them,
and elect third term delegations to the National
Convention.