Clarksville weekly chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1873-1890, 1875-06-05
EXECUTIVE MANSION,
WASHINGTON, May %, 1879.


EXECUTIVE MANSION,
WASHINGTON, May %, 1879.
DEAR SRA short time subsequent
to the Presidential election of 1872,
the press, portion of it hostile to the
Republican party, and particularly to
the Administration, started the cry of
Casarism and the third term, calling
Justly for me TO define my position on
the latter subject. / believed it to be
beneath the dignity of the Office which
| have been twice called upon to
fill to answer such u question be-
fore the subject should be presented
by competent authority to make nom
ination, 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 sem
sible persons in the Republican party
should permit their enmity to force
upon them and their party. an issue
which can not add strength to the
party, no matter how met But body
of the dignity and party authority of a
convention 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.
In the first place, | never sought the
office for a second nor even for first
nomination. TO the first, L was called
from life position, one created by
Congress expressly for Inc, for sup
posed services rendered to the Repub-
lie. 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
retirement. with the rank and pOr
ton of the emoluments which | so
much needed, to home where the
balance of my days might be spent in
peace and the enjoyment OF domestic
quiet, retired from the cares which
have oppressed me so constantly now
for fourteen years. But L was made
to believe that the public good called
me to make the sacrifice.
Without asking the Office for the
second time, the nomination was tend
cred to me by Il unanimous vote OF the
delegates Of all the States aud Terri
tories, seiicc.ca BY the Republicans of
each to represent their whole number
for the purpose of making their nom
nation. L caIl not say that,l was not
pleased at this, and at the ovcrwhclm-
ing Endorsement which their action re-
eeiyed at the election following, but it
must be remembered that all the sacri-
fees except that of comfort had been
made in accepting the first term. Then,
too, such 4 fire of personal abuse and
SANDER had been kept up for four
years, notwithstanding the conscieD-
tious performance OF my duties to the
best of my understanding-though |
admit, in the light Ofsubsequentevents,
many times subject to fair criticism
that an Endorsement from the people,
who alonc govern republics, was i
Qualification that it is only human to
appreciate and enjoy.
Now, for the third term, | do not
want it any more than lidid the first.
| would not write or utter word to
change the will of the people in ex-
pressing and having their choice. The
question of the number of terms allow
ed to any one Executive eau only come
up fairly in the shape of proposition
to amend the Constitution shape in
which all political parties can partici-
pate-ixing the length Of time or the
number of terms for which any one
person shall be eligible for the office
Of President Until such an amend
ment is adopted, the people can not be
restricted in their choice by .resolu-
ton, further than they are now Ie-
stricted as to age, nationality, dc.
1t may happen in the future history
Of the country. that to change an ex-
ecutive because he has been e;ghtyears
in Office will prove unfortunate, if not
disastrous. The idea that any man
could elect himself President, or even
reuominate himself, is preposterous.
1t is a reflection upon the intelligence
and patriotism of the people to suppose
such thing possible. Any man can
destroy his chances for the Offi-e, but
no man eau force an election or even
nomination.
To recapitulate | am not, nor have
| ever been. Il candidate for renom
ination. | would not accept nomi; :
alton, if it were rendered, unless it
should come under such circumstances
as to make it an imperative duty, cir
cumstances not likely to arise.
| congratulate the convention over
which you presided for the harmony
which prevailed, and for the excellent
ticket put in the field, aud which L
hope may be triumphantly elected.
With great respect. your obedient
servant, u. >. GRANf.
To Gen. HARRY WHITE. President of
the Republican State Convention.