Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1875-06-04
The Third Term Question,

EXECUTIVE MANSION,
. WASHINGTON, ID. c., May 20, 1875. !
Dear Sir A short time subsequent
to the Presidential election of 1872, the
press-a portion of it hostile to the Re-
publican party, and particularly so to
the administration, started the cry of
Cesarism," and the "Third Term"
calling Justify for me to define my posi-
ton on the latter subject. believe it
to be beneath the dignity of the Office
which have been twice called upon to
fill to answer such question 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 subject of
ridicule
In fact, | have been surprised that so
many sensible persons in the Republic
can party should permit their enemy to
force upon them and their party an is
sue 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 offices of the second State in the
Union having considered the question.
| deem it not improper that | should
now speak. In the first place | never
sought the Office for second nor even
for first nomination. To the first l
was called from life position, one Gre
ated by Congress expressly for me, for
supposed services rendered to the Re
public.
The position vacated l liked. 1t
would have been most agreeable to me
to have retained it until such time as
Congress might have consented to my re
tirement with the rank and portion of
the emoluments, which so much need
ed, 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 me
so constantly for fourteen years but l
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
to me by the unanimous votes of the
delegates of all the States and Terrific
ries selected by the Republicans of each
to represent their whole number for the
purpose of making their nomination. |
: cannot say that was not pleased at this,
and at the overwhelming Endorsement
: which their action received at the elect
ion following. But it must be remem-
S bered 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 has been
q kept up for four years, Notwithstanding
+ the conscientious performance of my du.
ties to the best Of my understanding
though | admit, in the light Of subse-
quent events, many times subject to fair
criticism, that an endorsement from the
people, who alone govern republics, was
a qualification that it is only human to
have appreciated and enjoyed
Now for the " third term" | do not
want it any more than l did the first.
o | would not write or utter a word to
+ change the will of the people in express
ing and having their choice. The ques-
ton of the number of terms allowed to
any one Executive can only come up
y fairly in the shape of proposition tc
n amend the Constitution, shape in which
+ all political parties can participate, fix
d ing the length of time or number OF
terms for which any one person shall be
Y eligible for the office of President. Un.
g til such an amendment is adopted the
/, people cannot be restricted in their
!. choice by resolution further than they
e are now restricted as to age, nationality
&c. 1t may happen in the future his
tory of the country that to change al
4 Executive because he has been eight
Q years in office will prove unfortunate, if
not disastrous,
The idea thatany man could elect him
h self President or even renominate him
4 selfis preposterous. 1t is reflection
= upon the intelligence and patriotism o
the people to suppose such thing pos
sible. Any man can destroy his chance;
:. for the Office, but no one can force al
election or even a nomination
To recapitulate, am not nor have
ever been candidate for denomination.
would not accept a nomination if it wer,
rendered, unless it should come under
such circumstances as to make it an i'm
perative duty, circumstance not likely
to arise. | congratulate the Convention
over which you presided for the harmo
: ny which prevailed and for the excellen
= ticket put in the field, and which | hop,
, may be triumphantly elected. Will
great respect.
" Your obedient servant.
(Signed) U. s. GRANT.