Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1875-06-05
EXECUTIVE MANSION,


WAsHINGToS. d. c., May 20, 1875.
DEAR SIR A shor, time subsequent to the
Presidential election Of 1872 the press-a por-
ton of it-hostile to the republican party and
particularly so 10 the administration. started
the cry of Cesarism and the Third Term, :"
calling Justify for me to define my position on
the latter subject. ! believed il to be beneath
the dignity Of the office which have been
twice called upon to Gil to answer such 1ues-
ton before the subject should be presented by
competent authority to make nomination, or
by body of such dignity and authority as not
to make reply fair biect Of ridicule. In
fact, have been surprised that so many sensi-
BILE persons in the republican party should per-
nit their enemy to force upon them aud their
party an issue which cannot add strength to
the party, no matter how met. But body
Of the dignity and party authority OF conven-
tion to make nominations for the state officers
of the second state in the Union having con-
sdered this question, deem it not improper
that should now speak. In the first place,
never sought the office for second, nor even
for a first nomination. To the first was
called from life position-one created by
Congress expressly for me for supposed servi-
ces rendered to the republic. The position va
Gated liked. 1t would have been most agree
able to me to have retained it until such time
as Congress might have consented TO MY re-
tirement with the rank and portion oil the
emoluments which so much needed, to home
where the balance of MY days might be spent
in peace and the enjoyment Of domestic quiet,
relieved from The cares which have oppressed
Il e. Rut
| was made TO believe that the public good
called me to make the sacrifice. Without
seeking the office for the Second Term the
nomination was rendered to me by unani-
nous vote of the delegates of all the states and
territories, selected by the republicans of each
to represent their whole number, for the pur-
pose of making their nomination. | cannot
say that was not pleased at this, and at the
overwhelming Endorsement which their action
received at the election following. But 1t
must be remembered that oil the sacrifices
except that of comfort-had been made in ac-
cepting the First Term" then, too, such a
fire of personal abuse and SANDER had been
kept up for four years, notwithstanding the
conscientious performance Of my duties to the
best of my understauding-th though admit,
in the light of subsequent events, many tlmrs
subject to fair crticism-that an Endorsement
from the people, who alone govern republics,
was qualification that it is only human 10
have appreciated aud enjoyed.
| Now, for the Third Term, do not want
/ it any more than | did the first. would not
write CT utter a word to 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 proposition TO amend the con-
stitution-a shape in which all political par
ties can participate-fixng the length OF time
! or the number of terms for which any one per-
son shall be eligible for the Office of President
| Until such an amendment is adopted the peo-
! pie cannot be restricted in their choice 10y reso-
| luton further than they are now restricted, rs
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, ii not dlSas'
trous. The idea that any man could elect him.
I self President, or even renOminate himself, Il
preposterous 1t lea reflection upon the in
! tellisence aud patriotism Of the people to sup
pose such thing possible. Any man car
! destroy bis chances for the office, bat 10 one
can force an election or even nomination.
To recapitulate. am not. nor have ever
| been, candidate for denomination. lwoult
not accept nomination if it were rendered
unless it should come under snch circumstance,
as to make it an imperative duty, circum'
stances not likely to rise.
congratulate the convention over which
you presided for the harmony which prevailed
and for the excellent ticket put 10 the field
and which hope may be triumphantly elect
ed. With great respect, your obedent ser
want, L. s GRANT.