Year: 1875

w hchiNpioNs wv


President Grant has written the fol-
lowing letter to General Harry White,
president of the recent Pennsylvania Re.
publican State convention:


EXECUTIVE MANSION.


WASHINGTON, ID c., May 80, 1871
To GENERAL HARRY WHITE, President


Pennsylvania Republican State con


vention:


Dear Sir-A short time subsequent to
the Presidential election of 1872 the press
"a portion of it hostile to the Republ.
can party, and particularly TO the admin
istration-started the cry of" Cesarism"
and "third term" calling loudly for ne
to define my position on the latter sub
ject. ] believed it to be beneath the dig
nity Of the office which l have been
twice called upon to fill to answer such a
question before the subject should bepre
sented by competent authority to make a
nomination, or by body Of such digni-
ty and authority as not to make my reply
fair subject for ridicuc In fact, have
been surprised that so many sensible per
sons in the Republican party sheuld per-
NIT their enemies to force upon them and
their party an issue which cannot add
strength to the party, no matter how
met. But body Of the dignity and par
ty authority of convention to make
nominations for State officers Of the sec.
ond State in the Union, having consider
ed this question, | deem it not improper
that ] should new speak In the first
place, never sought the office Tor a sec
ond nor even for a first nomination. To
the 6rst was called from life position,
one created by congress expressly for
me, for supposed services rendered to the
republic. The position vacated liked,
and it would have been most agreeable to
me to have retained it until such time as
congress might have consented to my re-
tirement, with the rank and portion of
the cmsluments which SO much needed,
to home where the balance OF my days
might be spent in peace and the enjoy
mcnt Of domestic quiet, and retired from
the cares which have oppressed me now
SO constantly for fourteen years; but
was made to believe that the public good
called on me to make the sacrifice, With
ont seeking the office for a second term,
the nomination was rendered TO me by
unanimous 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 a nomination cannot say that
was not pleased at this, aud at the over
whelming Endorsement which their action
received at the election following; but it
must he remembered that all my sacr-
fees except that of comfort had been
made in accepting the first term. Then,
too, Il fire of personal abuse and slander
had been kept up against me for tour
years, notwithstanding the consciousness
Of performance Of my duties to the best
Of my understanding, though ] admit in
The light of subs quent events that many
times they were subject to fair criticism
that an Endorsement from the people, who
alone govern republics. was gratlica-
ton, aud that it was only human to have
appreciated and enjoyed it, Now, as for
a third term, do not want it 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 a
proposition to amend the constitution, a
shape in which all political parties can
participate for fixing the l,ngth of time
or the number Of terms for which any
one person shall be eligible for the office
Of President. Until such an amendment
is adopted, the people cannot be restrict
ed in their choice by resolution further
than they are now restricted as to age,
nationality, etc. 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 unfortu-
nate, if not disastrous The idea that
any man could elect himself President,or
even renominate himself, is prepssterous.
1t is 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 one can
force an election, or even nomination.
To recapitulate, am not, nor have |
ever been, a candidate for a denomination.
/ would not accept nomination if it was
rendered, unless it should come under
such circumstances as to make it an i'm
pcrative duty, u circumstance not likely
to arise. 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 cbedent servant,