Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1875-06-04

W ASHlN6ION, II. -, hdy ~, 1910.
DEAR SIN: A short time subsequent to
the Presidential election OF 1872 the press,
a portion of it hostile 10 the Republican
party, and particularly 10 the administia-
ton, started the cry of "CUsarism" ANA
"thc third term" calling Justify for me to
define my position on the latter subject.
believed 1t 10 be beneath the dignity of the
Office which l have been twice called upon
to fill to answer such II question before the
subject should be presented by competent
authority TO make IL nomination, or Ivy Il
body OF such dignity and authority as not
to make reply Il lair subject of ridlcule.
In fact, l have been surprised that so ma
ny sensible persons in the Republican par
" should permit their enemy TO force up
on them aud their party an issue which
cannot add strength 10 the party, no mat
ter how met. But Il body of the dignity
and patty authority Of Il convention TO
make nominations Tor the State officers Of
the second State in the Union having con-
sdered this question, ] deem ii not i'm
proper that | should speak.
In the first place, l never sought the Of
flee for Il second, nor even for first nom
iuatiou. To the first | was called fro a a
q life position-une created NY Congress
expressly for me Tor supposed services ZEN
dered 10 the republic. The position vacat-
ed liked. 1t would have been most agree
able to me to have retained it until such
my retirement, with the rank and Il por-
ton of the emOlumenls which l 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 from
the cares which have oppressed me 50 con-
SANITY now for fourteen years. But L was
made TO believe that the public good called
me to make the sacrifice. Without seek
ing the office for the second term the nom
ination was rendered to me by uuani-
nous vote of the delegates OF all the states
and Territories, selected by the Repubi-
cans of each TO represent their whole num-
Der, for the purpose Of making their nom
ination. 1 cannot say | was not pleased al,
this, and at the overwhelming endorsement
which their action received at the election
following. But u must be remembered
that all the sacrifices except that OF COM
fort had been made in accepting the first
term. Then, too, such a fire OF personal
abuse and SANDER had been kept up for
four years, Notwithstanding the couscien-
tious performance of my duties TO the best
of my understanding, though | 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 qualification that it is on
ly human TO have appreciated and enjoyed.
Now for the third term. | do not want
ii any more than did the first. l would
not write or utter a word 10 change the Will
OF the people in expressing and having
their choice. The question of the number
OF terms allowed to any one Executive can
only come up fairly in the shape OF prop
ositiou to amend the Constitution, a shape
in which all political parties can partic.-
pate, fixing the length of time or the num-
Der of terms for which any one person
shall he eligible for The Office OF President.
Until such an amendment is adopted the
people cannot he restricted in their choice
by resolution further than they are now re-
strlcted as 10 age, nativity, a.. 1t may
happen in the future history of the coun-
try 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 re-nomnate himself is prepOstcr-
Gus. 1t is a reflection upon the Intelligence
and patriotism of the people TO suppose
such thing possible. Any man can de.
stroy his chances for tie office, but no
one can force an election, or even nOmin-
alton.
To recapitulate: | am not, nor have cv
Ell been a candidate for denomination. |
would not accept a nomination If ii were
rendered, unless il should come under such
circumstances as 10 make il an Imperative
dhty-circumStances not likely 10 arise,
congratulate the convention over which
you presided for the harmony which pre-
vailed, and for the excellent ticket wbic
has been put in the field, Rnh which | horc
may be triumphantly elected. With great
respect, your Obcdieut servant.
[Signedl U. S. GRANT.
To Gen. HARRY WHITE, President Penn
sylyania Republican State Convention.