Year: 1875

on the THIRD Term Question.


WAsHINaToN,' May 3D. The following
letter from President Grant to Gen.
White, Of the Pennsylvania Republi can
Convention, is made public to-day;


"ExEcUTIvE MANSION.


"wAsH1NaToN,,D. o., May 20, 1875.


"DEAR SRA short time subsequent
to the Presidential election of 1872, the
press, a portion OF 1t, hostile to the Re-
publican party, and particularly SO to
the Administration, started the cry of
Casarism and third term, calling Justify
for me to define my position on the latter
subject. believed 1t to be beneath the
dignity of the office which I have been
twice called upon. to ill to answer
such q question before the subject
should be presented by competent
authority to make nomination, or by q
body of such dignity and authority as
not to make a reply fair subject Of rid
icule. In fact, have been surprised
that SO many sensible persons in the Re-
publican party should permit their en-
nifty to force upon them and their party
an issue which can not add strength to
the party, no matter how met. But a
body of the dignity and party authority





the State officers Of the second State In
the Union having considered this ques.
tion, deem 1t not improper that should
now speak.


sin the first place, never sought the
Office for a second. nor even for first
nomination. To the first was called
from life position-one created by Con-
gress expressly for me, for supposed
services rendered to the Republic. The
position vacated liked. 1t would have
been most agreeable to me to have re-
tanned 1t until such time as Congress
might have consented to my retirement,
with the rank aud u portion Of the emol-
uments which are SO much needed, 10 a
home where the balance Of my days
might be spent in peace and the enjoy
ment of domestic quiet, retired from
cares which have oppressed mo so con-
I was made to believe that the
public good called me to make
the sacrifice. Without seeking the
office for the second term, the nom-
ination was rendered to me by unani-
nous vote Of the delegates of all the
States and Territories selected by the
Republicans Of each to represent their
whole number for the purpose OF making
nomination. / can not say that was
not pleased at this, and at the over.
whelming endorsements which their
Ing; but it must be remembered that all
the sacrifices, except that Of comfort,
had been made in accepting the First
Term! Then, too, such tre of per-
sonal abuse and slauder had been kept
up for four years, Notwithstanding the
cons sciousness OF the performance OF my
duties to the best of my understanding
though I admit, in the light of subse-
quent events, many times subject to fair
criticism-that an Endorsement from the
people, who alone govern republics, was
a qualification that it is only human to
have appreciated and enjoyed.


SNOW for the third term.' do not
want it any more than l did the first. l
would not write or utter word to change
the will of the people in expressing and
having their choice. The question OF the
number of terms allowed to any one Ex-
ecutive can only come up fairly in the
shape Of q proposition to amend the Con-
stitution, shape in which all political
parties can participate, fixing the length
Of time or the number OF terms for which
any one person shall be eligible for the
office of President. Until such an amend
ment is adopted, the people can not be
restricted in their choice by resolution
further than they are now restricted as
to age, nationality, sc. 1t may happen
in the future history Of the country that
to change an 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 to rehominate himself, is prepos-
ferrous. 1t is reflection upon the intel
ligence and patriotism of the people to
suppose such thing possible. Any
man can destroy his chances for the Of
flee, but no one can force an election. OF
even nomination.


"To recapitulate, I am not, nor have
ever been candidate for a renomina-
tion. / wouldSnot accept nomination
If it were rendered, unless it should
come under such circumstances as to
make it an imperative duty-circum-
stances not likely to arise. oongratu-
late the Convention over which you pre-
sided, for the harmony which prevailed
and for the excellent ticket put in the
field, and which hope may be triumph
antly elected.


"With great respect, your obedient
servant, U. s. GRANT.


s'To General Harry White, President
Pennsylvania Republican State Conven-
tion."