The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1875-06-03

VIZ = ASSAuoAe W NCA' UAAtpf WIZ ple.
sided over the recent Republican Con-
vention in Pennsylvania, while dealing
with apparent directness and simplicity
with the "third term" question, does not
| seem to be accepted by 81: as absolutely,
putting IN end to the whole matter,
though practically no doubt it does.
Gen. Grant, indeed, accounts for his
| silence heretofore by declaring that he
believed it to be beneath the dignity Of
his Office to speak out on the subject be-
fore it had been presented by n body of
such dignity md authority as not to
make reply fair subject of ridicule
The very fact, however, that the Repub-
lican Convention Of the great State of
Pennsylvania deemed it advisable TO
pnss resolution against the third term,
showed that in the opinion Of that body
the subject had assumed IL gravity which
required the Republican party to define
its position upon it. Washington and
dignity to speak out and disclaim aspi-
rations for a third term. If such dis
| claimcrS were compatible with their dig
nifty, thoy might we'll be also with the
dignity of their SUCCESSORS. We do not
impute to Gen. Grant any undue desire
for the extension of his tenure of office
to third term, but he might have saved
his patty, and. indeed, the country at
large, much trouble and anxiety if he
had written his recent letter some time
ago The limitation of the presidency
| to two terms, is not, indeed, require
ment Of the American Constitution, but
by the unwritten law of custom hns come
| to be regarded by the American people
as having NIL the value, md at least the
moral force, of IN absolute requirement
of the organic law of the land. From
the foundation of the Government to the
present time, there never have been cir
cumstances Of either domestic or foreign
policy which have induced any Presi-
dent to become nm nspirnnt for third
term, or which have been looked upon
by the country as requiring such m ex-
tension Of his period of Office. Conse-
qucntly, the Republican supremacy in
many States has been seriously damaged
by tho third term arguments of the De-
mocrats and by the growing popular
apprehcnsions Of the increase of
Presidential power, which, being I'M
checked, might become absolute and
irresponsible. While, personally, the
ambition or power of General Grant
has not been moro dreaded than
would have been those Of any other SOL
dior under the samo circumstances vet
the predominance which has been given
during his administration to the military
arm OF the Government, combined with
the vast extent of tho influence exercised
by corrupt agents under it, presented
clements of danger which made n serious
impression on the public mind, an i'm
preston which General Grant might
have disabused long ago. The resolu-
ton OF the Pennsylvania Convention,
like blow upon sensitive spot, has
brought back on instantaneous response;
but somo will be disposed to ask why
DID the expressions of another conyen-
ton some time ago fail to elicit dcfini-
ton of his position? When tho South
Carolina Republican Convention (thc
one which nominated Chamberlain for
Governor) nominated General Grant for
n third term, he did not decline it, as he
has now, when the Pennsylvania Con-
yention has spoken against tho third
term. There could not have been
better opportunity than that presented
by the South Carolina Convention to
make known his position, and it would
have been more graceful and dignifea,
II dignity is to be the supreme rule, to
decline that which is offered than that
which is refused. General Grant wrote
no letter then. and if the PENNSYLVANIA
convention had followed the example of
OOUNiA OoioliAtt tuc CutStlOu Illily occur
to some minds, would he have written
one now? Even as lately as during the
last session of Congress, when the Wash
ington Republican, claiming official con-
fidence, was constantly sounding its
bugle for third term, it might have
been judicious to silence the suspicious
which were thus aroused However, the
old maxim, ''better late than never"
may be applicable to tho letter now writ
| ten.
Tho Hn'iondl Republican prints an au-
thoritative explanation of tho Presidents
letter, from which the following extracts
are taken: The proper time has arrived,
nm acknowledged authority has spoken
regarding the third term question, and
President Grant has written the most
important letter of his public career, de-
claring that he is not n candidate for re-
nomination. 1t will be read with more
interest and deeper concern by the Anne
can people than any political document
ever written. The firm and dipnitied
explanation of his silence regarding this
matter will not surprise those who m
derstnnd the character Of q man who has
habituated himself and whose experi-
cnce has taught him to rely upon his
own methods, and whose greatest sue
cesses have been won as the result of
quiet independence of thought and dis
erect self-independence. Otherwise tho
letter is uniquely characteristic, and re-
markable for the absence of clap-trnp