Year: 1875

itSIuSul N'aht ueo cpOhcii dt last
on the third term question. Tie
decided action Of the Republican
Safe Convention of Pennsylvania in
opposition TO the third term ca He'd
forth the following letter from him,
which is characteristic of his amblgu-
Gus style and deties the powers Of the
interpreters of language and so.vers
of riddles, and leaves his party still
in doubt as to his designs


EXECUTIVE MANSION, }
Washington, May 30, 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 Administration, started the crv
of CeSarism aud the third term,
calling Justify for me to define nv
position on the latter subject. be-
lleved 1t to be beneath the dignity of
the office | have been twice called
upon TO fli to answer such a question
before the subject should be presented
by competent authority to make a
nomination, or by a body Of such
dignity and authority as not to make
a reply the subject Of ridicule. In
fact have been surprised that so
many sensible persons in the Repub-
lican party should permit their enemy
to .orce upon them and their party an
issue which cannot add strength to
the party, no matter how met; but q
body of the dignity and party authori-
~ Of a convention TO make nomina-
tins for the State officers of the
second State in the Union having
considered this question, deem it
not improper that | should now speak
In the first place never sought the
7. oSice for second, nor even for first
nIminalion. To the first | was
called from life position, one created
by Congress express V for me for sup
posed services rendered to the Repub-
lie. The position vacated liked.
1t would have been most agreeable
To me TO have retained it until such
time As Congress mi ght have consent
ed to my retirement, with the rank
and a portion Of the emouments,
which | 50 much needed to a home
where the balance Of my days might
be spent in peace and the enjoyment
of domestic quiet, relieved from the
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 nomina-
tion was rendered to me by a 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 max
ing their nomination. | cannot say
that was not pleased at this, and at
tie overwhelming Endorsement which
their action received at the election
following But it must be remember
ed that all the sacrifices, except that
of comfort, had been made in accept
ing the first term. Then, too, such
fire of personal abuse and s!ander
had been kept up for four years, not
witbstanding The conscientious per-
formance of nv duties to the best of
my understanding-tbough | admit,
in the light Of subsequent events,
many times subject to fair criticism
that an Endorsement from the people,
who alone govern republics, was
qualification that it is only human
TO have appreciated aud enjoyed.


Grant concludes Now for the
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 proposition
to amend the constitutions shape
in which all political parties can par.
ticipate. 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 amnndment is adopt.
ed the people cannot be restricted in
their choice by resolution further than
they are now restricted. As to age,
nativity, ETC., it may happen in the
future history Of the country that to
change an executive because be has
been eight years in Office, will prove
unfortunate if not disastrous. The
idea that any man could elect himself
Pr, sident, or even nominate himself,
is preposterous. 1t is a reflection
upon the intelligence and patriotism
Of the people to suppose such thing
possible. Any man can destroy his
chance for the Office, but no one can
force an election or even a nomina-
tion.


To recapitulate, l an. not nor have
| ever been candidate for renomi-
nation. | would not accept nomina-
tion if it we're rendered unless it
should come under such circumstances
as to make it an imperative duty,
circumstances not likely to arise. l
congratulate the Convention over
which you presided for the harmony
which prevailed and for the excellent
ticket put in the field, and which |
bore may be triumphanlly elected.


With great respect, your obedient