The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1838-08-01
ONE PRESIDENTIAL TERM FOR THE
FUTURE.

Il II
In his inaugural address, Mr.. Van Buren,
appropriately said, we had then entered upon
nsw era. The heroes Of the revolution from
whom the Presidents who had preceded him
had been selected, had mostly passed off the
stage. Himself was not born at that epoch
Of our nations history.
] With this new era we have now entered up
on, we believe some new practices, fnot new
principles, should be introduced. Sound poll
cy and public good seems to demand it. The
most prominent and important of which we
will Of this time notice. II is to connect with
this new era, another, By limiting The Presi-
dency hereafter, Of the same iadipiduai, to one
term ONLY.
BY common consent, after the Presidency
OF Washington, it seemed to be understood
that, each incumbent was to be candidate for
second term; and excepting in two notable
instances each were elected. This system
having been established, it was just and proper,
in our opinion, that it should be continued so
long as there existed one of the line of revo-
lutionary heroes to extend il to. Now, that
they have passed of, and we have entered on
new era, we advocate change.
The strongest reasons exist now to urge,
nay, to demand such a change. When the
practice first obtained the sanction Of the
people, we had but thirteen States; now, we
have twentysix States. with population more
than qnintuble what il then was. In the first
| year that we have entered on the ncU era, we
have seen the Senate Chamber converted into
an electioneering arena,-the public business
neglected, individual claims cast aside, and
measures devised and brought forward for
the purpose, and the whole strength Of party
devoted to " rejoicing thepresent President"
We quote from the speech Of Mr.. Buchanan.
We see also one of the Oldest and most in
fuental Democratic papers in the Union,
| while il denounces in unmeasured terms the
most prominent measure Of Mr.. Van Buren's
administration as Disappointing and rerolu-
iionary, declaring in the same breath. that Il
unites its fate with that Of his, and with him
will " sink or s,rim ~
What but Reorganization and revolution can
follow such state of things, when the repre-
sentatives Of the people, forgetting their legis-
lative duties to their country. employ them
selves, or are employed, in President making,
by re-electing the present Presidentp I'M
fortunately the Constitution did not limit the
period of service Of the same individual 10 one
term. That can only be done now by the CO.
| T. IL. al
That will probably require much time, if il can
ever be accomplished. In tho meantime, we
hope to see the people take up the subject,
and by reclamation, adopt the principle. In
our opinion, il will contribute more towards
prolonging and perpetuating the Union, than
any other act whatever, that can be resorted
to by them--it will leave no cause for intrigue
or corruption on the part of the incumbent to
secure re-election-it will secure proper
attention to the business Of Congress, both
Of public and private nature by the repre-
sentatives--it will secure an advocacy on the
part Of the press, Of measures rather than of
men-and it will lead to diminution of Ex-
ecutive power and patronage; because there
will then exist no reasons for their exercise.
We conclude this by recommending to the
calm consideration and reflection Of the
American people, the following extract from
speech delivered by Ex-President Monroe, in
the debates in the Virginia Convention, on the
adoption of the Constitution. We fear it pre-
sents but too true a picture Of the existing
state Of things. 1t certainly forti6es us strong
ly in the position we have here taken Of here
after limiting the period Of service Of a Presi-
dent to single term:
| "Let us now consider the responsibility Of the
| President He is elected for four years, and not
excluded from reelection Suppose he violates the
laws and consi tuition, or commit high crimes, by
| whom is he to be tried 2 BY his council-by
those who advise him TO commit such violations and
crimesl This subverts the principles of justice, as
| it secures him from punishment He commands
the army ofthe United States Till he is condemned.
Will not this be an inducemen to foreign nations 10
their arts and intrgues 10 corrupt his counsel
lors7 If he and his counsellors escape punish
| ment with so much facility, what delightful pros
pect must it be for foreign nation, which may be
DESTROYS OF gaining territorial commercial advan-
tages over US, to practice them! The certainty
of success would be equal to the impunity. How is
he elected By electors appointed according to the
directions of the State Legislatures Does the plan
| of Government contemplate any other mode A
combination between the electors might easily hap
pen, which would fix on man in every respect i'm
proper. Contemplate this in all its consequences.
Is it not the object of foreign courts to have such
E,an possessed Of this power, as would be inclined
to promote their interests What an advantageous
prospect for France and Great Britain to the
favor and attachment of the President, by exerting
| their power and influence to continue him in the
Office i. Foreign nations may, by their inrigues
have great influence in each State, in the election OF
the President and have no doubt but their efforts