Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1840-10-29
E.v- tAs Wiis,ingion (Dsi9rsrs) Jsrns
ONE TERM

We have heretofore directed the atten
ton Of our readers 20 this important SUB
jeet As there are many individual.
among our opponents who believe that
the principles which Andrew Jackson
protested, are now advocated by Martin
Van Buren,. We intend showing from time
TO time. that such j. not the case. and that
our present Chief Magistrate has not only
departed from the path in which the i'm
mortal Jefferson trod, but that he has also
failed ito follow in the footsteps Of his il
lustrious predecessor" IL those, who
from motives OF principle supported An.
drew Jackson. and now support Martin
Van Buren,, will turn back few wear,
and look into the old book Of their faith
they will doubtless find. that their once
loved creed remains yet 10 be brought into
practice. A part Of il was. that ne Pre-.
,'denf should hold his office for single
term and no longer. This vas consider, q
very important measure. II was de-
signed to reduce the Executive patron.
age, and TO place beyond the reach OF the
President, such temptations, as nigh, ad
him from the path of duty, TO seek his
own asgrandizement. or crafty bis own
ambition. To effect this, no better plan
could be devised, than 10 confine his ser.
riees 10 single term. II President be
elected with this understanding. he be.
comes al once the President Of the people.
They have elevated him 10 the highest Of
nee within their gift, and as there is no
thing beyond IT, his ambition can extend
no further His thoughts are then suffer
ed to rest upon the people. and their hap
Piness becomes the ending place OF his
glory. Andrew Jackson, in his frs, mes.
sage to Congress in 1879, says:
worLp RECOMMEND seen AZ aurSpvrxr
or THE Constitution, 10 limit the ,syrie, or m,
ChiJ hagistrGis 10 single term for siiher four or
SIR years"
la his second Message TO Congress, he
again directs the attention OF Congress TO
the subject. in the following words:
eanaei too esrnestIy inriis your attention 10
the proprieiy ef promoting such amendment Of the
Constitution, as 'riH render lin lrHE PRESDESrl
inshgibie after one Term Of ssrries"
In his third Message in December.
1881. he again presses the subject upon
Congress as follows:
have heretofore recommended amendments
oil The Federal Constitution giving the election of
President and Vice President TO the people, and
limiting the service Of the former TO a single
term. So important do | con slider these chan
ges IN our fundamental law, that cahnoi. in
accordance with my sense of duty, omit 10 press
them upon the consideration Of new Congress
For my views more al large. aS well in relation
To these points a. To the disqualification Of mem
bers OF Congress 10 receive an office from Pre-.
sideni IN whose election they have had official
agency, which propose as n substitute, refer
you TO my former messages"
The above extracts from Gen. Jackson's
Messages plainly define the position"
which he at that time occupied in refer
ence 10 this subject. Hit was On 'ig1.
porfanf' subject then. it must be Infinite
ly more so now. The manifold evils
which IT proposed 10 remedy, have been
fastening themselves upon US. The Exc
cuive patronage has been alarmingly
increased power has been gradually steal
ing into the hands OF the President. and
party animosiiies have been fed by a spi-
rit OF prescription that has found lis way
into every ramihcaiion Of the Govern
ment. The re-eligibilitv Of .he President,
we believe has done much TO promote
these evils. He has pursued a policy
which is designed TO sirer CITIZEN party,
and open the way to his reelection =
From that policy no good has resulted 10
the country. Our Agricultural. Manu-
featuring. ard trading interests have not
been encouraged, our currency has not
been improved, nor have we received
any OF those blessings that emanate from
wise and virtuous Government Veto
this policy the President has committed
himseli:-he IS bound BY his party obi
cations 10 pursue IT, IL reelected. and
consequently, the presen: condition oil
things will be continued. This is a s,rone
objection 10 the fico term system. II !,
an objection which the immortal Wash.
iSgton saw, and which he only laid aside
at The earnest entreaties Of the people,
When The President has hope before
him OF being elected second time. BIZ
can bring into exercise every power o
bis office for the purpose Of Strengthening
that hope. Hence, his legitimate dutiei
may be forgotten the interests OF IN,
people may be sacrificed the Govern
ment may become corrupt. ns patronage
extended, and all ITS energies be directed
10 party ends. IT. under such circum.
stances be succeedsin securing the Office
asecond time. he is bound 10 continue
the same policy-to preside over, and
unite himself with the destinies Of a party
ano 10 leave The great Interests Of the Da
ton to perish for want Of care. Would i
not be well 10 prevent any further conse
quences Of this kind. By bringing the 81,
principle Of zone term into practice -
There Is much 20 recommend ii and i
certainly can do no harm. II remove
many bad influences from around ID,
President II limits bis power and con
fines hiss thoughts and feelings 10 thei
proper sphere II destroys party snimoG
ties. and. IN the language Of Gen. Jack
son, leaves the Chief Magistrate uocom
mitled 10 any other course than The siric
line Of Constitutional duty" Someihinl
Of The kind - badly wanted 81 The presen
time. snd Whsa carried into effect 3D.
principle will be found a. once safe an
beneficial. To whom then shall II be en-
trusted To those who have iuned wit
Us. violated their promises. and forgotte