Bristol news. [volume] (Bristol, Va. & Tenn.) 1867-189?, 1875-06-08
TIE SPHINX SPEAKS.
Grant oa the Third Term,
EXECUTIVE MANSION, J
WAsHINGTON, ID. c.. T
May %, 1875. }

DEAR SIR-A short time subsequent
To the Presidential election of 1917 the
prcss-a portion OF il-bOsiiie to the
Republican party .and PARTICULARLY 50
10 the Administration, Started the cry
OF C.esarism and "the Tnird Term"
calling Justify for ne to define nav pr
sitiDn on the Latter subject. / believed
il 70 he beneath the dignity of the
office which l have twice been called
upon 10 fill 10 answer Such a question
before the subject should be presented
py competent authority to make 8
nomination, or 10y body OF such dig
nifty aad authority a not to make
reply a far suJrcG OF riGIcule. IN
fact, | have been surprised that so
MANY sensible person, ia the iStpub-
lean party should permit their enemy
Ia fO:Ce upon them and their party an
issue which cannot add strength TO the
party, no matter now met. but body
of the dignity and party authority 81
convention to make nominations tor
the State officers for the second State
in the Union having considered This
question, deem il not improper that
| should now speak. lntie first place,
never sought the Office for sccoud,
nor even a Ii~j llpilliibIt''i- ~ wv
first was called from life position
one created 10y Congress expressly Tor
me for supposed services rendered to
tie Republic. The position vacated l
liked. 1t would have been NEST
agreeable TO me TO have retained ii until
! such time Is Congress might have con-
sentdd to my retirement with the rank
/ and q portion Of the emolUments
70, g, hn
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 con-
/ stantly now for fourteen years. But /
was made TO believe that the pubic
good called me to make the sarrIiice'
/ Without seeking the office for the
/ Second Term the nomination YVES
! rendered TO me by unanimous vote
/ Of the delegates Of all the States and
( Territories, selected by the Republic
cans 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 election
following. But il must be remember
of comfOrt-had been made ia accept
ing the First TeTm;:n then, too, such
a fire of personal abuse and Islander
had been kept ups for years, notwith-
standing the conscientious peJorm-
ance of my duties to The best Of my
, standing-though l admit, in
the light of subsequent events. many
times subject to fair criticism-that al
Endorsement from the people, who
alone govern republics, was a gratifi
cation that it Is only human to have
appreciated and enjoyed.
Now, for the Third Term, ] dc
not want it any more than | did the
first. I would not write or utter
word to change the will Of the people
in expressing and having their choice
The question of the number of terms
/, allowed to any one Executive can only
come ND fairly in the shape of prOPO-
sition to amend the Constitution
shane i'm which all the political partie:
can notwithstanding the length o.
time or the number of terms for which
auv one person shall be eligible for the
office of President. Until such az
amendment is adopted the people can
not be restricted in their choice Oy
Z resolution luIllifI lAAthAA VIZ. - ~
restricted, as to age, nativity, DC. L
may happen in the future history o
the country that to change an EXecu
tive because he has been eight year.
in office will prove unfortunate, II no
disastrous. The idea that any maj
could elect himself President, or ever
renominate himself, is preposterous -
1t is reflection upon the intelligence
and patriotism of the people 20 sup
: pose such a thing possible. ANY
man can destroy his chances for th'
office, but no one can force an election
or even nomination.
To recapitulate, l AN not, nor have
. | ever been, a candidate for a re-
nomination. | woald not accept
nomination lift were tentercd, un!eS:
it should come under such circum-
stances as to make it an imPerltiv'
duty, circumstances not likely L
arise.
J congratulate the contention oVe'
! which you presided for the harmony