Year: 1875

The following letter from President


Grant to the president of the Republican
State Convention Of Pennsylvania, was
telegraphed by the agent of the Associated


Press Sunday night, and appeared in the


Picoyune yesterday morning. The letter is


not published in full, but its leading points


are given, which are sufficient to set at rest


some questions which have agitated the


public mind for some time past:


EXECUTIVE MANSION


Washington, May 20, 1915. !


DEAR SRA short time subsequent to


the presidential election of 1872 the press, q


portion of it hostiie:to the Republican party,
and particularly SO to the administration.
started the CRY Of CRsarism, and the third
term, calling Justify for me to define my


position on the latter subject. believed it


to be beneath the dignity of the office


have been twice called upon to fill to an
swer such a question before the subject
should be presented by competent authori-


ty to make nomination, or by body of
such dignity and authority as not to
make reply the subject of ridicule


In fact l have teen surprised that 80
many sensible persons in the Republican


party should permit their enemy to force


upon them and their party an issue which
can not add strength to the party, no mat
ter how met; but body of the dignity and
party authority IF a convention to make
nominations for State officers for the second
State in the Union having considered this
question, l deem it not improper that l
should now speak.


In the first place, / never sought the
office for a second. nor even for first
nomination To the first was called from
life position, one created by Congress ex-
pressly for me for supposed services render
ed to the republic. The position vacated l
liked. 1t 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
emouments which so much needed, to a
home where the balance Of my days might
be spent in peace and the enjoyment of do
mestic 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
''se cond term" the nomination was ten
dered 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 pur-
pose of making their nominations. l can
not say that / was not pleased at this
and at the overwhelming indorsement which
their action received at the election follow
ing. But it must be remembered that all
the sacrifices. except that of comfort, had
been made in accepting the first term. |
Then, too, such fire of personal abuse and |
elander had been kept up for four years, |
the conscientious perform |
aDce of my duties to the best of my under !
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
q qualification that it is only human to have
appreciated and enjoyed.


President Grant concludes:


Now for the third term. do not want
t any more than did the first. l would
10t write or utter word to change the will
" the people in expressing and having |
heir choice. The question of the number
'f terms allowed to any one executive can
'nly come up fairly in the shape of propo-
ition TO extend the constitutions shape
n which all political parties can parti-
hpate-fixiDg the length of time or the
lumber of terms for which any one person
hall be eligible for the Office of President.


Until such an amendment is adopted the
'eOple can not be restricted in their choice |
" resolution further than they are now re-
tricted. As to age, nativity, ETC., it may
appen in the future history of the country
hat to change an executive because he has
teH elguG wears III tne once VIII prove un- |
if not disastrous. The idea that |
ny man could elect himself President, or
ven nominate himself, is preposterous. 1t
J a reflection upon the intelligence and
afriotism of the people to suppose such
hing possible Any man can destroy his
ha1ce for the office, but no man can force
q election, or even @ nomination.
To recapitnlate, am not nor have l ever
cen candidate for denomination. /
ould not accept nomination if it were
'ndered unless it should come under such
as to make it an imperative I
uty; circumstances not likely to arise. l |
'ngratulate the convention over which
III presided for the harmony which pre-
allied. and for the excellent ticket put in I
e field. ard which l hope may be tri- g
elected. =
With great respect, your obedient ser
mt, u. s. GRANT
General Harry White President Penn sylvania


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