Year: 1875

President GRANTS letter on the third
term question, addressed to the Chair
man of the Pennsylvania Republican
State Convention. 1t will be seen that
he expresses himself more clearly than
the public was lead to suppose by the
summary which was telegraphed some
days ago, and we confess that an edi-
torial which appears in another part
of this paper and which was written
before the complete letter came to
hand, does not do him full credit.
Still there is tone about the produc-
tion which does not sound right, and
the allusion to the possible contin-
gency Of a President holding a third
term will leave the impression in the
minds of all that the President believes
so strongly in the third term PROPOSE
tion that he could easily be persuaded
to become candidate for reelection:


WASHINGTON, May 20, 1875.


DEAR SIR: A short time subsequent
to the Presidential election of 1872, the
Press-a portion Of it hostile to the
Republican party, ,and particularly so to
the ministratiOn-started the cry of
"Casarismn and "Third term,n call
ing Justify for me to define my posi-
tion on the latter subject. I believed
it beneath the dignity of the Office
which / have been twice called to fill,
to answer the question before the SUBJ
ject should be presented by competent
authority to make nomination, or by
a body Of such dignity and authority
as not to make the reply fair subject
of ridicule. In fact, / have been sur
prised that so many sensible persons
in the Republican party should permit
their enemy to force upon them and
the party an issue which cannot add
strength to the party, no matter how
met. A body of dignity and of party
authority in convention to make nom-
nations for State officers of the second
State in the Union, having considered
the question, deem it not improper
that should speak.


In the first place, never sought the
Office for the second nor even the first
term. l was called from life position
-one created by Congress expressly
for me, for supposed services rendered
TO the Republic. The position vacated
l liked. 1t would have been most
agreeable to have retained it until
such time as Congress might have
consented to my retirement, with the
rank and portion of the emoluments
so much needed, to home where the
balance of my days might be spent in
peace and the enjoyment of domestic
quiet, relieved from cares which have
me 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 Sec
ond term, the nomination was ten
dered me by the unanimous voice of
delegates from all the States and Ter
ritories, selected by the Republicans
of each to represent their whole num-
Der, for the purpose of making nOm-
inatiOn. IcannOt say was not pleased
at this and the overwhelming endorse
ment their action received at the cleo
tiOn following; but it must be remem-
bered that all sacrifices except that of
comfort had been made in accepting
the first term. Then, too, such fire
of personal abuse and slander had been
kept up for four years, notwithstand-
ing conscientious performance of
duty, to the best Of my understanding
though admit, in the light of SUBJ
sequent events, many times subject to
fair criticism-that an endorsement
from those who alone govern republics
was qualification that it Is only hui
man to have appreciated and enjoyed.


Now, as to third term. I do not
want it, any more than did the first.
| would not write nor utter word to
change the will of the people in ex-
pressing and having their choice. The
question of the number of terms al
lowed one Executive can only come
up fairly in the shape of proposition
to amend the Constitutions shape in
which all political parties can partici-
pate-fixing the length of time or
number of terms for which one person
shall be eligible for the office of Presi-
dent. Until such amendment be
adopted the people cannot be restrict
ed in their choice by resolution, fur
ther than now restricted as to age, ma
tionality, etc. 1t may happen in the
future history of the country, that to
change the Executive because he has
been eight years in office, will prove
unfortunate, if not disastrous.


The idea that any man could elect
himself President, or even nominate
himself, is preposterous. 1t is reflec-
tion on the intelligence and patriot
ism of the people to suppose such a
thing possible. Any man can destroy
his chances for the office, but no one
can force an election or nomination. l
am not, nor have 1 ever been, cam
didate for denomination. l would not
accept the nomination were it ten
dered, unless it came under such cir
cumstances as to make it an impera-


tive ty-circumstances not likely to