The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1880-01-07
THIRD TERN IN 1875.
What General Grant Had to Say Oh the
Subject NJ That Time.
Tho following may be OF present inter
EyECuTIyI MANSION,

DEAR 5IBs-A bloTL tlu1t buDbGluelt u
the Presidential election OF 1872, the press,
a portion OF it hostile to the Republican
party, and particularly to the Administra.
ton, started the cry OF "CGsarism" and
'the third term" calling Justify for me to
define my position on the latter subject. ]
believed it TO be beneath the dignity oil
the office which l have been twice called
upon to fill to answer such q question be.
fore the subject should be presented by
competent authority TO make q nomina.
ton, or by q body Of such dignity and
authority as not to make q reply q fair
subject OF ridicule. In fact, | have been
surprised that so many sensible persons
in the Republican party should permit
their enemy 10 force upon them and their
party an issue which cannot add strength
to The party, no matter how met. But q
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 the question, l
deem it not improper that | should speak.
In the first place, ] never sought the
Office for a second, or even for . first,
nomination. To the first ! was called from
a life position, one created by congress ex-
pressly for me for supposed services len
dered 10 the republic. The position va
Gated l liked. II would have been most
agreeable TO me to have retained 1t until
such time as congress might have consent
cd to my retirement, with the rank and q
portion OF the emoluments which | so
much needed, to a home where the bal.
ance OF my days might be spent in peace
and the enjoyment of domestic quiet, re-
lieved from the cares which have Cypress.
ed me 80 constantly for fourteen years.
But l was made to believe that the public
good called me to make the sacrifice.
Without seeking the office for the second
term, the nomination was rendered to me
by the unanimous vote Of the delegates OF
all the states .and t~erritoriesi Sc
lected by the Republicans OF each
10 represent their whole number
for the purpose OF making their nomina-
ton. ] cannot say that was not pleased
at this, and at the overwhelming indorse-
ment which their action received at the
election following. But it must be remem:
bered that all the sacrifices except that OF
comfort had been made in accepting the
first term. Then, too, such q fire OF per-
sonal abuse and SANDER had been kept
up for four years, Notwithstanding the
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
au Endorsement from the people, who
alone govern republics, was a qualification
that ii is only human TO have appreciated
and enjoyed.
Now for the third term. / do not want
it any more than Ibid the first. l would
not write or utter q word to change the
will OF the people in expressing or having
their choice. The question OF the mum.
Der Of terms allowed to any n executive
can only come up fairly in the shape OF a
propos;:io to amend the constitutions
shape in which all political parties can par
ticipate, fixing the length OF time or the
number Of terms for which any n per-
son shall be eligible for the office OF Presi-
dent. Until such an amendment lsauopt-
ed the people can not be restricted in their
choice by resolution further than they are
now restricted as to age, nativity, etc. 1t
may happen in the future history OF the
country that to change an executive be.
cause he has been eight years in office will
prove unfortunate, il not disastrous. The
idea that any man could elect himself
President, or ever renominate himself, is
preposterous. 1t is a reflection upon the
intelligence and patriotism OF the people
to suppose such a thing possible. ANY
man can destroy his chances for the office
but no ont can force an election, or even
a nomination.
To recapitulate, I I'M not, nor have
ovar haen. a candidate fora denomination.
| would not accept a nomination II it
were rendered, unless it should come I'M
der such circumstances as to make It an
imperative observation-disclosures not likely
to arise. l congratulate the convention
over which you presided for the harmony
which prevailed and for the excellent
ticket put in the field, and which ! hope
may be triumphantlY elected. With great
respect, your obedient servant,
U. s. GRANT.
10 Gen. Harry White, President Pennsyl-
vania Republican State Convention.