Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1880-05-08
THE ST. LOUIS CONVENTION.

The anti -third-term Convention at St.
Louis proves to have been an influential,
earnest and representative body. Its pro-
ceedings were marked by dignity and de-
termination, it permitted no secondary
issues to interfere with or obscure its main
purpose, and it has placed on record a
strong and convincing protest against the
contemplated extension of the Presidential
term. 1t has made it clear that the oppo-
sition to the third term movement is wide
spread and powerful, and that politicians
must take this opposition into account
from this time onward. One of the most
opportune and telling points made during
the session was the recital of the uncom-
promising anti third term resolutions
adopted by Republican Conventions five
years ago, in several of the States in which
the third-term movement is now the strong
est. In connection with these seasonable
"reminiscences of former Republican express
sions it is worth while to quote the Ian
guage of General Grant himself on previous
memorable occasions. In a letter to Cen
eral Harry White, of Pennsylvania, under
date of May 49, 1875, he writes " ami
"not now, nor have l ever been, can
"didate for denomination. l would
"not accept nomination if it were tend
'sered unless it should come under such
" circumstances as to make it an impera-
" tive observation-disclosures not likely to
"arise. In his annual message to Con-
gress, December5, 1876, he wrote p" With
" the present term of Congress my official
'tlife terminates. 1t is not probable that
"public affairs will ever again receive at
''tention from me, further than as a citi-
''zen of the republic, always taking deep
"interest in the honor, integrity and pros
"perity of the whole land" 1t is per-
fectly clear from these expressions that
General Grant intended not to accept re-
nomination unless circumstances should
arise making it an imperative duty. But
inasmuch as he is now VIGOROUSLY candi-
date for denomination, the presumption
must be that he regards these exceptional
circumstances to which he refers, as having
arisen. What these exceptional circum-
stances are, however, is known to no citizen
of this republic, unless be to General Grant
himself. Nothing in the relations of the
South to the rest of the country exists to
warrant the course he has taken, for we
have his own statements, at Cairo, Bloom
ington, and other places, that the Union
flag floats everywhere at the South, and
that the people OF that section look upon
&c 1T as guaranteeing to them all the rights
"and privileges Of free people, without
sregard to race, color, or previous condi-
80 ton of servitude." Seeing how impossi-
BILE it is to explain the candidature of Cen
eral Grant by reference to his own past or
present utterances, and seeing how utterly
his position is opposed to his own declara-
lions and to the established precedents of
the country, it is perfectly reasonable that
thinking Republicans should object to the
programme which the Senatorial Group y
is trying to fasten upon the party, and
that this element should at last have felt
it necessary to formulate an emphatic pro-
test against that programme.