Year: 1875

WASHINGTON, May 30.


President Grant has written the follow
ing letter to Gen. Harry White, President
of the recent Pennsylvania Republican
State Convention:


EXECUTIVE MANSION, WASHINGTON, D. c.,


May 20, 1875.


DEAR SIR: A short time subsequent to the
Presidential election of 1872, the press, a por-
tion Of it hostile to the Republican party, and
particularly so to the Administration, started
the cry of Cesarism" and the Third term,''
calling Justify for me to define my position on
the latter subject. I believed it to be beneath
the dignity of the office which have been
twice called upon to fill to answer such ques-
ton before the subject should be presented by
competent authority to make nomination,
or by body of such dignity and authority
as not to make reply fair subject of ridicule.
In fact, have been surprised that so many
sensible persons in the Republican party
should permit their enemy to force upon
them and their party an issue which cannot
met. But body of Tie dignity and party
authority of convention to make nomina-
tions fo. the State officers of the second
State in the Union having considered this
question, I deemit otimproper that should
now speak.


In the first place, never sought the Office
for q second, nor even for first nomination.
To the first was called from life position,
one created by Congress expressly for me for
supposed services rendered to the Republic.
The position vacated I liked. 1t would have
been most agreeable to me to have retained
it until such time as Congress might have
consented to my retirement with the rank
and portion of the emoluments, which / so
much needed, to home where the bal
ance of my days might he spent in
peace and the enjoyment of domestic
quiet, relieved from cares which have
oppressed me so constantly now for fourteen
years, but was made to believe that the pub
lie good called me to make the sacrifice.
Without seeking the Office for the second
term" the nomination was rendered to me by
unanimous vote of the delegation OF all the
States and Territories selected by the Repub-
licans of each to represent their whole num-
Der for the purpose of making their nomina-
tion. I cannot say that [ was not pleased
at this and at the overwhelming in
dorsement which their action received
at the election following. But it must
be remembered that all the sacrifices
except that of comfort had been made
in accepting the "first term" Then, too,
such fire OF personal 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 an
| Endorsement from the people, who alone gov
| ern republics, was qualification that 1t Is
only human to have appreciated and enjoyed
Now, for the third term," do not want il
any more than / did the first. | 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 Executive can only come up fairly
| in the shape of proposition to amend the
| Constitutions shape in which all political
| parties can participate--defning the length ol
! 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 cannot be
| restricted in their choice by resolution
further than they are now restricted, as tc
| age, nationality, etc. 1t may happen in the
| future history of the country that to change
! an Executive because he aas been eight years
| in office will prove unfortunate II not dlsas
/ trous.


The idea that any man could elect himself
/ President or even renominate himself is pre-
posteroas 1t is q reflection upon the intelli
| gence and patriotism of the people to sup
| pose such thing possible. Any man car
| destroy his chances for the office, but no one
| can force an election or even nomination..
/ To recapitulate, am not, nor have evel
been, a candidate for denomination. Iwould
| not accept a nomination if it twere rendered
unless it should come under such circum
| stances as to make it an imperative duty-cir
| cumstances not likely to'arise. | congratu
| late the convention over which you presided
| for the harmony which prevailed and for The
/ excellent ticket put in the field, aud which
| hope may be triumphantly elected.


/ With great respect, your obedient servant
1 IT & GRANT