The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1875-06-03

WOULD ONLY ACCEPT 1T UNDER CERTAIN
CIRCUMSTANCES.
wAsHINeToN, May 3O.-President Grant
has written the following letter to Gen.
Harry White, president of the recent Penn
sylvania republican state convention:
EXECUTIVE MANSION,
WASHINGTON, D. C. May 20, 1875.
DEAR SIR: A short time subsequent to the
presidential election of 1872, the press, or
portion of it, hostile to the republican party,
aud particularly so to the administration,
started the cry of ''Csssarism" and "third
term" calling Justify for me TO define my
position on the latter subject. 1 believed
it to be beneath the dignity Of the Office
which 1 have been twice called upon to fill,
TO answer such question, before the SUBJ
ieet should be presented by competent
authority TO make a nomination, or by a
body of such dignity and authority as not
TO make reply fair subject of ridicule.
In fact 1 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 can not
add strength to the party. no matter how
met. But a body of the dignity and party
authority Of a convention to make nomins-
tlons for the state officers of the second state
in the Union having considered this ques.
ton, deem it not improper that l should
now speak. In the first place I never
sought the Office for second nor even for a
first nomination. To the first 1 was called
from life position, one created by congress
expressly for me for supposed services rem
dere TO the republic. The position vacated
/ liked. It would have been most agreeable
20 me to have retained it until such time
as congress might have consented TO my re-
tirement with the rank and a portion of the
emoluments which were so much needed to
a homo where the balance of my days might
be spent IN peace and the enjoyment of do
nestle quiet, retired from the cares which
have oppressed ms so constantly now for IA
years. But 7 was made to believe that the
public good called me to make the sacrifice
Without seeking the Office for the second
time, the nomination was rendered me by a
unanimous vote of the delegates of all the
states and territories, selected by tho repub-
licsns of each to represent their whole num-
Der, for the purpose of making their nomi-
nation. can not say that was not pleased
at this, and at the
OVERWHELMING ENDORSEMENT
which their action received at the election
following. But IL must be remembered that
all the sacrifices, except that OF comfort, had
been made in accepting the first term.
Then too, a fire of personal abuse and SLAM
n bad Ean nm for
withstanding the consciousness of the per-
formance of my duties to the best of my
understanding. though admit, in the light
ofsubsequsn. events, many times subject to
fair criticism, so that an Endorsement from
the people, who alone govern republics, was
qualification that it is only human to have
appreciated and enjoyed. Now for the third
term. / don't want it any more than did
the first. would not write nor utter a
word to change the will of the people in ex-
pressing and having their choice. The ques-
tion of the number Of terms allowed to any
one executive can only come up fairly in
the shape OF a proposition to amend the con-
stitutioD, a shape in which all political par
ties can participate, fixing the length OF
time or the number of terms for which any
one person shall be eligible for the Office OF
president. Until such an amendment is
adopted, the people can not be restricted
In their choice by resolution, further than
they are now restricted as to age, national
ity, etc. Il may happen in the future his
tory of the country that to change an ex.
ecutiye because he has been eight years in
Office viii prove unfortunate, if not disas