Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1875-06-09
President Grants Letter to Gen.
White on Third Term.
EXECUTIvE MANSION,
WAsHINGToN, slay 20, 1875.

White on Third Term.
EXECUTIVE MANSION,
WASHINGTON, Aay 20, 1875.
DEAR SIR: A short time subsequent
to the Presidential election of 1872 the
press, . portion of it hostile to the Re-
publican party, and particularly 90 70
the Administration, started the CRY of
"Cesarism" and "the third term," cali
ing Justify for one to define my position
on the latter subject. believed i, to
be beneath the dignity of the office
which have been twice called upon to
fill to answer such . question before
the subject .hould be presented BY COM
petent authority to make nomination.
or BY body of such dignity and au-
thrifty ss not to make a reply q fair
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 their party, no matter
how met Buta body Of the dignity
and party authority Of convention to
make NOMINATION for the State officers
Of the second State in the Union hav-
ing considered this question, ] deem it
not improper that | should speak.
Ii the irst place, never sought the
Office for secbnd, nor even for a 6rst
nomination. To the first was called
from . life position-one created by
Congress expressly for me for supposed
services rendered to the republic. The
position vacated l liked. 1t twould have
been most agreeable to NE to have re-
tanned it until such time as Congress
might have consented to my retirement,
with the rank and portion Of the emol-
uments which SO much needed, to a
home where the balance of my days
might be spent in peace and tine enjoy
ment OF domestic quiet, relieved from
the cares which have oppressed me so
constantly NOW for fourteen years Bat
l was made to believe that the public
good called me to make the sacrifice
Without seeking the Office for the sec
ond term, the nomination was rendered
to me by unanimous vote of the Dell
egates of all the States and Territories.
selected by the Republicans Of each to
represent their whole number, for the
purpose of making their nomination.
l cannot say that | was not pleased at
this, and at the overwhelming indorse-
ment which their action received at the
election following. But it must be re-
membered that all the sacrifices except
that of comfort had been made in ac-
cepting the first term. Then, too, such
fire Of personal abuse aud slander had
been kept up for four yeats, notwith-
standing the conscientious performance
of my duties to the beet of my under
standing, though admit in the light of
subsequent events many times subject
to fair criticism, that au endorsement
from the people, who alone govern re-
publics, was a qualification that it is
only human to have appreciated aud en-
joyed.
Now for the third term. 1 do not
want 1t any more than | did the first.
| would not write or utter word to
change the will of the people in ex-
pressing and having their choice. The
question of the rumher Of terms al
lowed to any one Executive can only
come up fairly in the shape of propo-
sition to amend the Constitution, a
shape In which al political parties can
participate, fixing the length of time or
the number of terms for which any one
person shall be eligible for tie Office of
President. Until such an amendment
is adopted the peuple cannot be re-
stricted in their choice by resolution
further than they are now restricted as
to age, nativity. &c. 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 renominate himself,
is preposterous. 1t is reflection upon
The Intelligence aud patriotism Of the
people to suppose such thing possible.
Any man can destroy his chances for
the office, but no one can force An elec
tion, or even nomination.
To recspitulate: | am not, nor have
| ever been candidate for a renomi.
nation. would not ACCEPT a nomina-
tion if it we're rendered, unless it should
ceme under such circumstances as to
make it an imperative duty-circum
stances not likely to arise. congrat-
ulate the Convention over which you
presided for the harmony which pre- !
vailed, and for the excellent ticket put
in the field, and which l hope may be
triumphantly elected. With great re-
spect, your obedient sereant, 10 n
ISigned U. s. GRANT.
To General HARRY WHITE, President
Pennsylvania Republican State Con.
vention. ..... H ..-...f.