The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1875-08-15
John Morrissey in the Condition Of a
Smouldering Volcano.
SOME SARATOGA SCORIE,
"When | Want To Be Slave Then | Shall
Choose Ny Master"
Governor Tilden on the Canals
and the Presidency.
LoEo BRANCH, August Il

LONG BRANCH, August Ii, 1875
year ago letter from Long Branch informed the
of the HERALD on the authority Of gentleman
personally and officially close association with Pres
dent Grant, of the Presidents positive desire TO receive
denomination and Of the conviction Of his adherents
that his election for third essential TO the
eul completion Of the work OF reconstruction and to
tho financial safety OF the nation 1t stated that
while President Grant might probably be induced to
make public his sentiments the third term question
It would be found If he should conclude do So that
he would insist the right of party 10 nominate and
of the people to elect whoever they might please
President Of the United States and reelcct him
often as they might please, provided their candidate
possessed the constitutional qualifications. The views
OF the same authority on the present position OF
the third question and the probable action of
tho Republican National Convention next year have
been sought by HERALD correspondent and will be
found recorded in the substance of tbs conversation that
occurred during the interview.
PRESIDENTIAL VIEWS A TERM.
o You predicted last that If President Grant
wrote any letter made any expression of his sen
ments in regard to the third term it would be to insist
the right Of the people TO settle that matter for
themselves Do you think that the Presidents
famous third term letter carries out this view
A certainly do. You observe that the President
says nothing in that letter against third fourth
term principle, while he does maintain that under
some circumstances it would be imprudent and repre-
hensibe not to ro-elect President matter how
many previous terms he might have filed. This is the
key to the whole question: the President views
it. There be limit to tho will of the people in
this direction except such they have voluntarily put
upon it in the constitution of tho United
States That instrument does not prohibit the
reelection Of President for third or
i q fourth term any than for
second term. To deny the right Of the
people exercise their free will in constitutional
manner is to destroy republican government But tho
opponents of third term for President Grant insist
that Washington established the precedent Of mi-
taton to terms his example has the binding force
of constitutional provision Suppose Washington had
declined second term what he regarded a sound
principle and what might have been q sound principle
in those early days Of the experiment in govern
ment Suppose that down 1860 there had been no re-
election TO the Presidency Win any pretend that
in the dark hours of the rebellion it would have been
sacred duty 10 have respected the precedent and
have refused to Abraham Lincoln second termP Such
doctrine would have been very good for tho
rebellion, but very bad for the Republic. It is
much the thing Tho democracy
sgitatng this sacred precedent theory
because they desire get back power order that
they may undo much of the work that followed tho
rights" The talk about Washingtons example being
binding constitutional provision, although sent-
mentality with the few of the antithrd party is
political trick with the many Scarcely handful OF
republicans outside of asprants to the succession and
their immediate friends misled by it. Here and
there State convention has resolved against third
term in glittering generaltcs but everybody knows
that the planks Of n State platform selected with
view to local expediency. Look at the democrats In
Ohio they lay down an imitation platform, but they
would not accept that fact proof that their
national party is party Of imitation If the Republican
National Convention should to the conclusion that
President Grant the best candidate for the party and
for the country next year. hope and believe 1t will
none but the disappointed will have q word
TO say against the decision. Why, Washington
himself If ho could return TO mortal life,
would smile at the idea of any action taken by him
nearly century ago being regarded for all time as
superior to the constitution President Grant has done
much toward preserving the Republic Washington
did toward establishing it Yet if Grant, after filing
third term should decline fourth it would seem alb.
surd hereafter TO accept his declenson sacred pre-
cedent placing upon the choice of the people limitation
TO three terms.
THE REPUBLICAN, AsPIRANTs FOR THE SUCCESSION.
Q How do you account for the fact that the repub-
cahs generally interpret President Grants third term
letter a withdrawal from the contest for the nomi-
nation in 1852 A. l not aware that
the republicans generally, indeed that any
considerable number of them, do so
interpret it 1t is of course policy for Vice President
Z Wilson, Speaker Blaine and others who aspire to the
Presidency treat Grant as voluntarily out of the
feld but the letter has been read by all men and
speaks for itself The attempt to brush him aside by
misrepresentation of its meaning succeed The
President has ambition apart from that of serving
country and he sneaks trulv he ha e MT
candidate for denomination. He has sought tho
Office; 1t has sought him. and will have to seek him
again If the nation needs his The idea that he
Is modern Cesar that ho loves power and hates to
lnqush il, and that he would undue unconstitu-
uona to force his denomination, is altogether
erroneous He may have ovor-zeaous and ndis-
erect friends, who arc willing strive his
continuance in the Office no has filled WELL
and perhaps | Of them but for hims elf
he is willing to abide events and If his party does
want him he will step aside without feeling either of
anger or disappointment Nothing could induce him,
however, to belle his republican sentiments by assent
ing to the doctrine that If the majority Of the people
desire 10 elect him third time as their President they
must be restrained from doing so because man. pure
and noble IL is true, but wiser more patriotic than
many living Americans thought proper to decline
third Presidential term His letter, far from raising
barrier against a denomination exposes tho hollow.
ness Of tho sacred precedenr' pretence and really
justines third term This be plain TO all except
thc wmlly blind One thing is certain large
majority of tho next republican convention will be
friendly 10 Grant, and he should think proper to re-
tire at the end of his present of Office he will as
suredly name his successor.
THE PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATES IN NEW YORK
Q. DO you think it likely that New York will fan on
from Grant in the Convention and present candidate
from that StateP A. do not think 1t within tho range
Of Drohahity that tina nnpninatOn win 10 70 Bsy York