Year: 1875

EXECUTIVE MANSION, /
WASHINGTON, u. C., May %, 1879.


DEAR SIR: A short time subsequent to the
Presidential election of 1872 the PRESS "a portion
of it hostile to the Republican party, and particu
larly to the Administration, started the cry
of Cieslrism' and the third term,' calling Justify
for me to define my position Oh the latter sui Ject
believed it to be beneath the dignity of the
office which have been twice called upon to fill
to answer such 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 II reply n fair sub
ject of ridicule. In fact ! have been surprised
/ that so many sensible persons in the Republican
party should permit their enemy to force upon
them aud their party an issue which cannot add
strength to the party, no matter how met. But
a boiv of the dignity and party authority of a
convention to make nominations for the State
officers of the second State in the Union having
considered this question, / deem it not improper
that should speak.


In the first place never sought the office for
a second nor even for first nomination. To the
first was called from n life position one created
by congress expressly for me for supposed Servi-
ces rendered to the republic. The position va
Gated liked. Itwould have been most agreeable
to me to have retained ii until such time as Con-
gress might have consented to my retirement
with the rank and a portion of the emOluments,
which ~ much needed, to n 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 be-
leVe that the public good called me to make the
sacrifice Without seeking the office for the Sc
cond term, the nomination WAS rendered 10 me
by unanimous vote of the delegates of all the
States and Territories selected 10y the Repubi-
cans Of each to represent their whole number for
the purpose of making their nomination. can
not say that was not pleased at this and at the
OVprWhe Inning indOr>s mcnt which their action
received at the election following. But it must
be remembered that all the sacrifices except that
of comfort had been made i'll accepting the first
term. Then, too, such fire of personal abuse
and slander had been kept up for four years, not
with>tanding the conscientious performance of
my duties to the best ofmy understanding, though
admit. in the light of subsequent events. many
times subject TO fair crItici~rI that an lndorS''-
mcnt from the people, who alone govern repub-
lies, was qualification that it is only human TO
have appreciated and enjoyed.


Now for the third term. do not want ii any
more than did the first. / would nOt write OF
utter n woId To change the will of the pcop1e III
expressing and having their choice. The question
of the number of terms allowed to any one Exc
cutive can only come up fairly in the shape of a
proposition Ia amend the Constitutional shape
In Which all political parties can participate, fix
ing the length of time or the number of terms for
which any one person shall be eligible for the
office of President. I-ntil such an amendment
i adopted the people cannot be restricted in their
choice by resolution further than they are now
restricted ~ Ia age. nativity. &c. 1t may happen
in the future history of the country that 10 change
Nh Executive because he has been eight wears in
office will prove unfortunate ii rot disastrous.
{ The idea that any man could elect himself Presi-
dent, or even renuminatr himself i prcDoSter-
Gus II i a reflection upon the intelligence and
patriotism of the people to suppose such n thing
possible. Any man can de>truy his chances for
the office, hut no one can force an election, OF
even n nomination.


To recapitulate. am not. nor have ever been
candidate for denomination. ! would not ac-
ccpt nomination If IL Were rendered unless II
should come under such circumstances n to
make IT an imperative dutv-circumStances not
likely io arise. / congratulate the convention
over which you presided for the harmony which
prevailed and for the excellent ticket put i'm the
field and which ! hupe may bc triumphantly
elected. With great rrSJs.ct


Your ohCdirnt servant,


Signed L. -. GRANT
70 General Harry White. President Penusyl-
vauia Republican State Convention.