The Greenville times. [volume] (Greenville, Miss.) 1868-1917, 1875-06-12
Grants Third Term Letter,
EXECUTIVE MANSION. I
WASHINGTON, MAY 20, 1919. }

w ASHINGToN, MAY ", 1000
DEAR SIR-A short time suhsc-
qucnt to the Presidential election
Of 1872, the press portion Off
hostile to the Republican party,
particularly so TO the Administra-
tionstarted theory Of Cnsarism and
the third term, calling Justify for
me to define my position on the
later subject. beliovcdit to be-
beneath the dignity OF the Office
which | have been twice called
upon to fill to answer shch o ques-
ton before the subject should be
presented BY q competent author
ity to make nomination, or by q
body of such dignity and authori-
ty as not to make a reply q fair
subject OF ridicuie. IN fact, ]
have been surprised that SO many
sensible persons in the Republican
party should permit their enmity
to force upon them and their par
ty an issue which can not add
strength to the party, no matter
how met. But body OF tho dig
nifty and party authority Of the
Convention to make nominations
| for the State officers of the second
State in the Union having consid-
cred this question, deem 1t not
improper that should now speak.
In tho first place, | never sought
the Office for a second or even for
a first nomination. 10 the first !
was called from life position,
one created by Congress express
ly for me, for supposed services
rendered to the Republic. The
position vacated, liked. Itwould
have been most agreeable to me tc
have retained 1t until such time as
| Congress might have consented to
my retirement, with the rank and
portion Of the emoluments which
/ 50 much needed, to home where
the balance of my days might bt
spent in peace and domestic quiet
retired from the cares which have
oppressed me so constantly now
for fourteen years. But wa
made to believe that tho publi'
good called me to make the sacri
fee.
Without asking the Office for th
second time, the nomination wa
/ rendered to me by q unanimou
i. vote of the delegates Of all tn
! States and Territories, selected b.
t the Republicans of each TO repre-
sent their whole number for tn
purpose Of making their nomino
|, ton. I cannot say that | was nc
1 pleased at this, and the ovcrwhcln
ing endorsement which their &C
J ton received at the election TO
\ lowing, but it must be remember
!, ed that all sacrifices except that {
: comfort had been made in accept
ing the first term. Then, toe
: such o fire of personal SANDER ha
i been kept up for four years, moi
Z withstanding the conscientiou
= performance Of my duties to th
= best Of my understanding thong
( admit, i'll tho light Of subseqicl
IS events many times subject to fa'
!. criticism--that IN endorsemcr
!, ! from the people, who alone go'
j orn republics, was gratillcatio
|. that it is only human to apprec
. ate and enjoy.
:. :. Now, for the third-torm, ! d
4 mot want It any moro than I di
/. the frat. would not write {
2 utter q word to change tho will
! ! the people III expressing and .ha'
4 ing:their choice The question oftl
/" number of terms allowed ~ an
!, onc Executive can cnly;cotle' Il
:, = fairly Ii tho shape Of rrorosi
!. ion to amend the Constlt'ltIou~'
Il sl,ape Il, whIeh alI political r3FfI'