Middletown transcript., 1875-06-05
Grant and q Third Term.

In order to set at rest the minds Of
his political opponents, both of the Re-
publican party and Of the Democratic
party, in regard to the probabilities Of
his being candidate for third cleo
ton to the Presidency, General Grant
wrote letter last week to the chairman
Of the Pennsylvania Republican Con-
vention, in which be makes the astound.
ing declaration that he "does not want
. third term any more than he did the
first. Yet, as "there is no constitu.
tional provision prohibiting" him from
holding the Office four years more, he
is willing to sacrifice his peace and
comfort. and yield himself victim for
another four years to the wishes Of the
dear people. For the sake Of the coun-
try and $2OO.0OO-to say nothing Of
gifts Of Long Branch houses and other
presents be might recsive-he is will
ing to undergo the tribulations and
worriments Of four years more in the
executive mansion.
One Of tho most original parts Of this
model letter is that wherein the Presi-
dent says be did not seek the Office for
even the frst term, much less for the
second but that be was made to be-
lieve that the good Of the country re-
quired that be should sacrifice himself
upon the Presidential altar Of bis coun-
try, and for that reason, and that only.
be consented to accept the nomination
Of the Republican party Gas he would Of
the Democrats party had it been offer
ed hin) instead Of retiring to bis
home to spend the balance Of his days
in peace and the enjoyment Of domestic
quiet" How noble What exalted
patriotismI What exemplary self.sacri-
Zee to the calls Of duty! He who had
20 lavishly sacrificed 50 many thousands
Of petty men upon the bloody battle
field. u readily yielded up himself to
the Presidential chair and is ready to
do SO again. Like the noble army Of
Office seekers Of every stage be only
submitted to the solicitation Of numer-
ous friends" and consented to accept
the Office only for the sake Of the dear
people-those he did not sacrifice to
Lees guns. Ia
The Presidents letter il indeed .
unique specimens Of ambiguous am
biguity. Written professedly to de-
clare bis position in regard to "third
term il founders great deal and ends
by declaring just nothing at all. He
will and he won't; he can and be cant;
he would If be could, and if be could.
be would. He did not want the first
term! Since be has said so ought we
not to believe it? He was = Democrat
previous to, during, and long after the
war, and did not become Republican
until the convention Of that party offer
Cd him its nomination for the Presi-
dency in 1868. Let no one intimate,
however. or suppose for an instant, that
be became Republican for the sake Of
the Presidency. He did not want that
"lirst term" and only took it because
she was made to believe that the good
Of the country required it." He doesn't
want . "third term" any more than he
did that first, but will take it for the.
same reason that be took the frst.
None 90 blind as who will not see /;
and who failst to recognize in the Presi-
dents letter longing desire for an
other four years in the White House,
at Washington, and believes that the
Presidsnt sincerely means that be does
not want to be nominated again, is
gifted With degree of faith and conf
dence that, if exercised in a proper
direction. might remove mountains by
the score.