Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1875-05-31
TIE THIRD TERN
Letter from President Grant
EXECUTIVE MANSION

WASHINGTON ID e., May 30, 1875,

WASHINGTON. u u, hlay2Y, 1875.
DEAR SIR: A short time subsequent to the
Presidential election # 1872 the press-a DOR
ton OF it hostile to the Republican porty and
particularly SO TO the Administration, started
the cry of Ce'arism and 1.-The Third Term, "
calling Justify for me to defue my position on
the latter subject. believe it to be beneath
the dignity Of the office which I have been
| twice called upon to fill to answer such ques-
ton before the sui .ct should be presented by
competent authority to make nomination. or
| 10y body of such dignity and authority as not
to make reply a fair subject of ridicue. 10
fact, | have been surprised that so many sensi-
bic persons in the Republican party should per-
init their enemy to force upon them and their
party au Issue which cannot add strength TO
the party, no matter how met But body of
the dignity and party authority of convention
to make nominations for the State officers OF
the secotd State in the Union having con.id-
cred this question, decm it not improper that
| should now speak. In the first place. [ never
| sought The office tor sec md. uor eveu for q
first nomination. To the first was called from
u llie postlon-one created by Congress cx-
rrcs>ly for me for supposed services rendered
to the Republic The position vacated liked
1t would have been most agreeable to me to
have retained it until such time as Congress
might have consented TO my retirement with
the rank and portion OF the emo!umcuts
which so much needed, to home where the
balance of my days might be spent in peace
aud the enjoyment of domestic quiet, relieved
FROM the cares which have oppressed me so
constantly now for fourteen years. But | was
made to believe that The puDlic good called me
to make the sacrifice. Without seeking the
office Tor the Second Term the nomination
was rendered to me by a unanimous vote of the
delegates of all the States and Territories, Sc
lected by the Republicans OF each to represent
their whole number. for the purpose of making
their n0mlDatlon. l cannot say that was not
pleased at this, and at the overwhelming TO-
dorScmrnt which their action received at the
election following But it must be remember
cd that all the sacrifices except that Of com
iort--had been made in accepting the " First
Term then, too, such q fire of personal
abuse and SANDER had been kept up for four
years notwithstanding the conscientious per-
tormaucc OF my duties to the best of my uuder.
stanaing--though [ admit, in the light of sub
srqucnt events, many tunes sui ject to fair crit
iclsm-t that al Endorsement from the people,
who alone govern republics was a 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 DOT
write or utter word to change the will of the
people 10 expressing and having their choice.
The question OF the number of terms allowed
to any Que Executive can only come up fairly
in the shape Of proposition to amend the
Constitutional shape in which all political
parties can participate fixing the length of
time or the number of terms for which any one
person shall be eligible for the Office of Presi-
dent. Until such au amendment is adopted
the people cannot be restricted in their choice
by resolution further than they are now restrict
ed, as to age, nativity, &c. 1t may happen 10
the future history of the country that 10 change
au FIX, cutlvc because he has been eight years
in office will prave unfortunate, if not disas-
truuS. The idea that any man could elect him.
sell President, or even renoulDate himself, Is
prcposterous. 1t is reflection upon the in
lcligcncc aud patriotism of the people to sup
pose such thing pnssihIe. Any man can DE-.
slruy his chances for the nfice, but no Que can
force al election or even nomination.
TO rccapiulate au not, nor have | ever
been, Il candidate for denomination. | would
rot accept "A nomination if it were rendered un.
less II should come under such circumstances
as tn make it an imperative duty, circumstances
not likely TO arise.
congratulate the convention over which
you presided for the harmony which prevailed,
and for he excellent ticket put in the held,
aud which | hope may be trlumphan,ly elected.
With great respect, your obedient servant,
(Slgned) u. $. GRANT
III Gcn Harry White. President Pennsylvania
RepubHcam State Conrent,0n