The Fremont weekly journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County, Ohio) 1867-1877, 1875-06-04
ExEcuTTYE MANSION.
WASHINGTON, D. O., May 20, 1875 {


WASHINGTON, d. c., May 29, 1875
Dear Sir: A short time subsequent tc
the, Presidential election of 1872, thepress
a portion of it hostile to the Republican
party and particularly so to the admins.
tration, started the cry of "Cesarlsm and
the Third term, calling Justify for me
to define my position ON the latter sub
ject. 1 believed it to be beneath the
dignity of the office which l have been
twice called upon to fill to answer such q
question before the subject should be pre-
sented by competent authority to make
nomination, or by body of such dig
nifty and authority as not to make a reply
a fair subject of,ridicule. In fact, Ihave
been surprised that so many sensible
persons in the Republican party should
permit their enemy to force upon them
and their party an issue which cannot
add strength to theparty, no matter how
met, but body of the dignity and au-
thority of a convention to make nomina-
tions for the State officers of the second
State in the Union having considered
this question, ] deem it not improper
that should now speak.
In the first place, l never sought the
Office for a second, nor even for the first
nomination. To the first 1 was called
from life position, one created by Con-
gress expressly for me for supposed ser
vices rendered to the Republic. The
position vacated liked; it would have
been most agreeable to me have retained
lit until such time as Congress might have
consented to my retirement with the
rank and aportion of the emoluments
which so much needed, to a home
where the balance of my days might be
spent in peace and the enjoyment of do
mestic quiet and relief from the cares
that have oppressed me so constantly
now for fourteen years, but was made
to believe that the public good called me
to make the sacrifice.
Without seeking the Office for the sec
ond term, the nomination was rendered
me by unanimous vote Of the delegates
of all the States and Territories, select
ed by the. Republicans of each to represent
the whole number for the purpose Of
making their nominations. Icannotsay
that was not pleased at this and at the
Overwhelming endorsement which Their
action received at the election following
but it must be remembered that all the
sacrifices, except that of comfort, had
been made in accepting the first term
Then, too, such fire of personal abuse
and SANDER had been kept up for foul
years, notwithstanding the conscien-
tious performance of my duties to the
best of my understanding, though ad-
NIT, in the light of subsequent events,
many times more subject to fair criticism
than an endorsement from the people,
who alone govern republics, was q graf
ification that it is only human to have ap.
preciated and enjoyed. ..f..s
Now for the "third term" / do moi
want it any more than / did the first. ]
would not write or utter a word to change
the will of the people in expressing ant
having their choice. The question oi
the number of terms allowed to any on'
executive can only come up fairly in th'
shape of a proposition to amend the Con
stitution, shape in which all politica
parties eau participate, IN fixing th,
length of time or the number of term
for which any one person shall be elgi
| ble for the Office of President. Unit
such an amendment is adopted the pee
pie cannot be restricted in their choic
by resolution further as TO age, nation
atty, etc. 1t may happen in the futur
history Of the country, that to changes a,
executive because he has been eigh
years in Office, will prove unfortunate,
= not disastrous. The idea that any ma
2 could elect himself President or even II
, nominate himself is preposterous 1t
a reflection upon the intelligence an
patriotism of the people to suppose sue
thing possible. Any man can destro
: his chances for the office, butnOone ca
force an election or even nomination.
To reeapitulate: / am not nor have
5 ever been aeandidate fora denomination
would not accept a nomination if
, were rendered; unless it should come VI
der such circumstances as to make it a
imperative duty, circumstances not hk,
ly to arise.
+ congratulate the convention owe
which you presided for the harmon
whiei. prevailed and for the excelleI
s ticket put in the field, and which hoI
+ may be triumphantly elected.
With greatrespect, your obedient SCI
want. lSignedl U. s, GRANT.
IT, General Harry White, President {
the Pennsylvania Repub lean Stat
. Convention.