The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1880-06-09
EXECUTIVE MANSION, !
WAsHINGToS, May p. 1875.


eral Grant to General Harry White on the
subj ct of third term:
EXECUTIVE MANSION,
WAsHINGToS, May p. 1875. !
DEAR SRA short time subsequent TO the
Presidential election of 1872 the press, a por
ton OF ii hostile to the Republican party, and
particularly so to the administration. started
the cry of CaesaTism and the "third term call
iog Justify for me to define my position on the
latter subject. be feve 1T TO be beneath the
dignity OF the Office, which have been twice
called upon TO ii ]. TO answer such a question
before the subject should be presented by
competent authority to make n nomination,
or by body OF such dignity and authority as
not TO make reply a fair subject OF rtdicule.
sensible persons in tne Repub lean party
should permit their enemy to force upon
them and the party an issue which can not
But a body OF the dignity and party authority
OF a Convention to make nominations for
state officers of the second State In the Union
having considered this question, deem 1t
not improper that 1 should now SPEAK.
In the first place, / never sought the Office for
a second nor even for a fist nomination. To
created by Congress expressly for me Tor sup
posed services rendered to the Republic. The
position vacated liked. IL would have been
most agree abe to me to have retained IL until
such time Congress might have consented
TO my retirement, with the rank and portion
of the emoluments which l so much needed,
TO a home where the balance of my days might
be spent in peace and the enjoyment OF do
nestle quiet, relieved from the cares which
have oppressed me constantly now for four
But was made to believe that the public
good called me 10 make the sacrifice. Without
Seeking the office for the "sscond term" the
nomination was rendered to me by a unant-
nous vote OF the delegates of all the States and
Territories selected by the Republicans of each
pose of making this nomi nation. can not say
that was not pleased at this, and at the over
whelming Endorsement which their action re-
csived at the election following.
sacrifice, except that OF comfort, had been
made in accepting the first term" Then,
had been Kept up for four years, notwitn-
standing my conscientious performance of
my duties TO the best OF my understanding,
though admit, in The light of subsequent
events many times subject to fair criticism,
that an Endorsement from the people VINO alone
govern republics, was a gratlhcati0n that is
only human to have appreciated and en-
owed.
Now for the "third term" 1 do not want it
any more than L did the first. would not
write OF utter a word to change the will of the
people in having their choice.
The question of the number of terms al
lowed to any one executive can only come up
fairly in the shape OF proposition 10 amend
the Constitutional shape In which ali poiiti-
cal parties can participa e-fXing the length
OF time or the number or terms for which any
one person shall be eligible for the office of
President. Until such an amendment is
their choice by resolutions further than they
are now restrictsd-as to age nativity, etc. 1t
may happen in the future history Of the cOun-
try that TO change executive because he
has been eight years in office will prove un =
fortunate, If not disastrous. The idea that
any man could elect himself President or even
renominate himself, is preposterous. 1t is a
reelection upon the intelligence and patriot ism
OF the people TO suppose such thing possible.
Any man can destroy his chances for the office /;
but no one can force an election or even re-
nomination.
To recapitulate: l am not nor have l been
q candidate for denomination. / would not
accept "a nomination If Il were rendered,
unless IL should come under such circumstan-
ces as to make ii an imperative duty, circum-
stsnces not likely to arise.
congratulate the Convention over which
you presided for the harmony which pre-
v9iled, and for the excellent ticket put in the
field and which l hope may be triumph
antly elected. With great respect, your obedl-
ent servant, y. -. GRANT.
Genera Harry White, President PennsyIva.
MIA Republican State Convention.