The Andrew County Republican. [volume] (Savannah, Mo.) 1871-1876, 1875-06-11
THE THIRD TERM.
President Grant Fully Expresses His
Views Oh This Subject.

President Grant Fully Expresses His
Views on This Subject.
WASHINGTON, ID. c., May 3O.-PrcSident
Grant has written the following letter 10
General Harry White. President OF the re-
cent Pennsylvania Republican State Con
yentiOn:
EXECUTIVE MANSION, WASHINGTON,
May 10Th, 1S75.-DEAR SIR: A short time
subsequent to the Presidential election of
1872, the press, a portion OF 1t hostile to
the Republican party. and particularly so
to the Administration. started the cry OF
CrSariSm and Third term, calling on 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 fill to answer such a question be-
tore the subject should be presented by
competent authority to make a nominal
ton, " by 4 body of such dignity and aul-
thOrity as O to make a reply a tar sub
ject OF ridicule. In fact | have been sur
priscd that so many sensible persons III
the Republican party should permit their
enemy To force upon them ana their party
AN issue which cannot ada strength to the
party. no matter now met. Blu Il body OF
the dignity and party authority OF a con-
vtntion' to make nominations for the
State officers OF the second State in the
Union having considered this question. /
deem it not improper that | should now
speak.
lii the 3rst place. | never sought the
Office for q second. nor even a first, nomi-
nation. To the first | was called from Il
life p0siJio!t-On" created by Congress cX-
prc>@ly for me, TOR supposed services rem
dcred to the republic. The position va
cated | liked. 1t mus. haVe been most
agreeable 10 me to have consented To my
retirement, with the rank and a portion of
the e~mo.umentS which | 50 much needed.
to Il home where IN" balance Of my
days might be spent in peace and the
enjoyment OF domestic quiet, retired from
cares which have oppressed me so con-
stantly for fourteen wears. But | was
made 10 believe that the public good called
on me 10 make. the sacrifice. Without
seeking the Office for the second term, the
nomination was rendered me by All unani-
nous vote of the delegates of all the States
and Territories, selected by the ItepubIl-
cans OF q ch To representatives, whole num-
Der for the purpose OF making Il nomin4-
ton. / cannot say that | WAS not pleased
1T this sud at the overwhelming indOr>C-
Incnt which this action received at the
election following, but it must be rcinem-
hcrtd that ali the sacrifices except that Of
comfort, had been made i'll accepting the
frs term. Then, too. such Il fire OF per
-uUal abuse and SANDER had been kept
uD tor tour years, notwithstanding the
conscientious performance of my duties
to the best of my understanding Though
| admit, III the li@htot subsequent vents
many times subject 10 fair criticiSm). that
a., 1,IAr..,1,,,,,T t-nf,h tti IH,.,,ll NEllA.
alone govern republics. was qualification
that it Is only human to have appreciated
and enjoyed.
Now, for the third term. | do
not want it any more than | did the
first. | would not write or utter a word
10 charge lllH viii of the pco; ic il cX-
pressing andin having Ihcir choice.
The question of the number OF terms
allowed 10 any one Executive can only
come up fairly in the shape of Il PROPOSE
tion T. amend the ConStit atom, a
shape in whicH all political parties
can participate, fixing the length
and number of terms for which any one
Dcr~ou -hatl b. eligible tor the office of
President. Until such an amendment is
adopted, the people cannot be restricted
i'll t1cir choice by resolution, further than
they are now restricted - to age, nativi-
", etc. lCmay happen in the iutur his
tory OF The country, tlat 10 change an
Executive becau~c he has been eight years
in office viii prove unfortunate, if not dis
a]StroUS.
The IDEA that any man could elect him
self President, or nominate himself, is pre-
.p0,tcrou-. Il j. Il reflection upon the in
triiigence and patriotism OF the people to
such a thing possible. Any man
can destroy his chaECes for the office, but
no man c force ali election, or even
nomination..
70 rccap;tulatc. | am not. nor have |
ever b,cn,a candidate for denomination.
! would no accept Il nomination if it was
rendered, unless it should come under
such circumstances rs to make il an i'm
Ucra1iyc duty, circumstances not likely to
arise.
i congratulate the convention over
which you presided for the harmony which
prevailed, ana for the excellent ticket put
in tn" field, and which 1 hope may be
triumphautiV elected.
With great respect, your obcdicnt servant.
i~ITHcd L. =. GRANT.
70 Gen. Harry White, President Pennsylvania
Republican state Convention.
1 VictimizCd Young Man.
49, Il