Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1840-06-18
ONE PRESIDENTIAL rrRrI !

funciple. 10 be established by The cleo.
,'on Of General HARRIsos, were aH else
m relation 10 the two candidates equal j.
sbundaniiy sufficient 20 control The deci
SION of the People. Indeed. there is no
feature OF greater interest belonging 90
The question. IL nearly concerns the
prosperity Of the country. and The siabiii.
~ Of ats Institutions. No,argument Is re.
CURED 10 show that The Republic is NOT
destined 10 endure unless the progress
OF Executive corruption is arrested. This
can be done IN tao WAYS only, which are
either TO deprive the President OF The
means OF corruption, or 10 take from ham
The Involvement 10 use those means
Our' Is now the worst administered Co
vernment 10 The world. The reason is
obvious. The moment we elect Presi.
dent. instead Of devoiing himself TO a
faithful and efficient discharge Of his high
duties. be opens a canvass FOR his re. eiec-
lion. To accomplish this, all the patron
age and power Of the Government is put
an active Tequisition. Cabinet Ministers
and Members Of Congress, together with
our large army Of ofice-bolders, are re.
1uired, not TO devote their time and "a.
Tents 10 the discharge OF their official du.
ties, but TO exert every faculty 10 secure
an extension OF their own terms Of Office
by the reelection OF the President under
whom they hold. This leads 10 neglect
Of all their Office duties. Nay, worse.-
II perver;s the objects and advantages Of
Government by turning rs power and pa
ironage agsins, the People.
The experience of the last twelve
years must teach some useful lessons
Among the most SalutaTy will be the One
Term Principle. This vast Republic has
been convulsed TO its centre by the san.
culinary struggles Of Gen. Jackson and
Mr.. Van Buren, for reelection In these
struggles every other interest has been
sacrificed. To crafty the ambition Of two
men, the rights. Interests, aud happiness
OF twelve millions Of People, and the
prosperity and fame Of great nation,
have been utterly and obs,inaiely disre-
garded. The administration Of Mr.. Van
Buren, has been especially aud eminenlly
barren and destructive. 1t has no re-
deeming quality or feature. IT'S four
years have been years Of individual dis.
tress and public dishonor. From tie day
he was sworn into office 10 that which
will send him swearing out, there has not
been, and will not be, any mitigation Of
our sufferings, or any check 10 the career
Of universal corruption.
But We turn from the dark past 10 the
bright future! General Harrison will be
elected President for ONE TERN. His on.
ly aim and ambition will be 10 close up
long life Of public service usefully 10 the
country, and honorably TO Himself. His
thoughts and time and talents will be de.
voted 10 the People and the nation. He
will administer the Government with the
wisdom Of a statesman and the integrity
OF patriot. Andlhis will bring back The
Republic 10 it's los, land marks. The
Constitution will then swing round 20 lis
old and safe moorings; and proper iy
will return TO bless and reward rREEMEN
for thus nobly and iriumphanily vindicat-
ing their cause and their country.
General Harrison, in establishing the
One Term Principle will have rendered
the service and achieved the glory at
which Washington aimed Yes. the
Father Of hts Country had determined TO
establish this most sslutary Republican
principle. No act OF bis life gave him
more pain than the stern necessIiy which
compelled ham TO take a reelection -
But q was clear case Of duty. and he
yielded, not however, without expressing.
IN the strongest terms. bis conviction that
the welfare and safety Of the Republic
should not be hszarded by making bis re
luciant consent precedent
What Washington so fervently desired
therefore, vii! be accomplished by Ham.
son. The youth whom fifty years ago.
Washington commissioned as an ensign
in the American Army, will have lived
TO establish an Executive precedent which
the Father OF Lis Country deemed essen.
iial TO the preservation Of lie liberties. -
That PRECEDENT, once established. will
be indesifuCtible. And lbenceforward a
President will serve but ONE TERM
Ibeo, as now, statesmen and patriots will
aim q! the Presidency. Bot when that
high station 10 attained instead Of pIung
ing into antiques 90 secure q re election.
OCT Presidents wiI by sa enlightened
and patriotic discharge Of their duties, en-.
dsavor - close .hcif lives IN honor and
10 crown their administration with glory
.ibaHy Es'Riug Joufstai.
a.
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