Year: 1875

WASHINGTON, May 96.-President Grant


has written Che following letter to Gen.
1 Harry White, President Of the recent Penn
| sylvania Republican State Convention:
"EXECUTIVE MANSION, WASHINGTON,
D. c., May 20, 1S75.-Dear Sir-A short
| time subsequent to the Presidential cleo
tiOn of 1872, the press, a portion Of it,


hostile to the Republican party, and paTtie-


ulaTly so to the Administration, started


The Cry Of CtesarisIn and third term, calling
| Justify for me TO define my position on the


latter subject. believed it to be beneath
the dignity Of the office which l have been


twice called upon to fill to answer such
question before the subject


should be presented by competent
authority TO make nomination, or by a


body Of such dignity and authority as not


to make reply fair subject OF Tidicule.


In fact have beer surprised that so many
sensible persons in the Republican party


should permit their enmity to force upon


them and their party an. issue which can


not add strength 10 the party, no matter


how met. But body Of the dignity and
party authority of a Convention to make


nominations for the State officers Of the sec
Ond State in the Union having considered
this question, deem it not improper that l
should now speak.


tin the first place, never sought the Of
fee for a second nor even for first nOmi-
nation. To the first | was called from a
life positiCn-one created by Congress ex-


pressly for me, for supposed services rem
dered to the Republic. The position
vacated liked. II would haye been most
agreeable to me to have retained it until


such time as Congress might have con-
sented to my retirement, with the rank
and portion of the emolumenIs which
are so much needed, TO a home where the


balance Of my days might be spent in
peace and the enjoyment of domestic quiet,
retired from cares which have oppressed
me so constantly now for fourteen years.


But 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 unanimous vote Of the dele
gates Of all the States and Territories
selected by the Republicans of each TO rep
resent their whole number for the purpose
OF making a nomination. l can not say
that / was not pleased at this, and at the
Overwhelming Endorsement which their &C
tion received at the election following; but
it must be remembered that all the sacri-
fees, except that of comfort, had been made
in accepting the First Term Then, too,
such a fire Of personal abuse and slander
had heen kept up for four years, nOtwith-
standing the consciousness of the perform
ance of my duties to the best Of my under
standing-thOugb l admit, in the light Of
subsequent 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,


ssNoW for the third term l do not
want It anv more than l did tbe first ]
would not write OF utter a 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 a proposition to amend the
Constitution, a 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 amendment is
adopted, the people cannot be restricted in
their choice by resolution further than
they are now restricted as to age, ma
tiOnaliiy, etc. Il 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 renOminate himself, is preposter-
GUS. It is a reflection upon the intelli-
gence and patriotism Of the people to sup
pose such q thing possible. Any man can
destroy his chances for the Office, but no
one can force an election or even a uomi-
nation.


"TO recapitulate, l am not, nor have l
ever been a candidate for a denomination.
1 would not accept a nomination if it were
rendered, unless it should come under such
circumstances as 20 make it an imperative
duty-circumstances not likely to arise. l
congratulate the convention over which
you presided for the harmony which pre-
vailed and for the excellent ticket put in
the field, and which l hope may be tri-
umphantly elected.


"With great respect your obedient ser
want, L. ). GRANT.


"TO Gen. Harry White, President Penn
sylVania Republican State Convention"