The Whig standard. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1843-1844, 1844-04-25
ONE PRESIDENTIAL TERM.

The Wing party maintain that the Executive
authority of the Federal Government should not
continue in the hands of one individual longer
than the constitutional term of four years. The
history of the last twelve years of Executive mis-
rule, demonstrates that the patronage of the Exc
cutve "wl be brought into conflict with the
freedom of elections" whenever that power is
welded by person tenacious of office. The
patriots of the Revolution were superior, for the
most part to such temptations they were ac
tuated by lofter patriotism, and governed in
their ministerial conduct by maxims of sounder
policy. Mr.. Jefferson, with the terseness char
acterstic of his gifted pen, has announced the
rule upon which he and all the earlier Presidents
acted in making appointments to office He
claimed no inquistorial right to know the party
predictions of the applicant or appointee, and
was only careful to inquire, els he honest, is he
capable, is he faithful TO the Constitution But
this wholesome maxim has long been discarded
as an impracticable concet of an antiauated ace
SO long as the Executive officer was more ready
to lay down the burden of Government than TO
| assume it, no inconvenience was found to result
Jacksons, Van Burens, and Tylers, who are more
soHcltous about the retention of office than the
faithful administration of the laws, have been
compelled to adopt principle of action more
congenlal to an unholy ambition, that the spoils
of the conquered enemy belong to the vicors !"
that the offices within the bestowal of the Execu
tive were instituted and placed at his disposal to
reward partisan services, and to buy the SURFACES
and make influence among the people Such has
been the maxim of the Locofoco, or a s they may
with more propriety be called, the Tory party,
| and such the rule of action which has governed
| its chiefs from Jackson to Tyler.
| 1t is among the main objects of the Wings
the country party-the people, for the terms are
synonymous-to eradicate this fruitful source of
corruption, this spawn of Toryism, which has
been warmed into life and nurtured to maturity
by General Jackson and Mr.. Van Buren, The
| Wings thought they had accomplished this radi-
cal reform in the election Of General Harrison
whose bengnant disposition, moderation and wis
dom, warranted the most confident expectations
OF long abused people, that the halcyon days Of
| honest administration which characterized our
earlier history were again to return; but it
| pleased an alI-wsc Providence to take him from
US ere the breath of popular reclamation which
had waited him to the Presidential Chair had died
away; his mantle fell upon shoulders that ill-be
come it, and his high duties and high RESPONSE
bilitles devolved upon person poorly able, had
| he possessed the best intentions, to sustain the
weight; and when actuated by weak and silly
ambition, could only signaize himself by betray-
ing his trust
The Wings, therefore, who never weary in
well doing" intend to rally again and elect
Henry Clay, who stands pledged to the /" one term
principle' which if he shall desert, as Jackson