The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1844-05-07
The presldentl.I EIectIon-A single Term.

| equally busy, but IN an altogether different way
they quarrelling, fighting, squabbling, discus
sing and debating who will be their candidate, and
what sort of measures they will adopt In regard 10
Texas, the tariff, and other questions.
One OF the most important questions which affect
the Presidency, and which has made its appearance
OF late years, is that respecting the restriction of
presidential candidates to the one term principle,
and their consequent neligibility for Reelection
1t Is well known in the history of this country
that President Washington declined a reelection,
aud that 1t was only after great deal OF persuasion
that he consented to accept the office for second
time, and then only in order 10 give character
reputation, and permaaence 10 the practical action
of the new government This precedent, how
ever, has been the cause OF all The reflections
that we have seen since that period. But OF late
years, so many evils have grown up from the at
tempts every President to use the patronage IN his
hands for the purpose of securing reelection that
the practical good sense of the people has been
gradually bringing them to a conviction OF the ne
crsslty OF restricting the tenure OF the PRESIDENT
Office to single term, although the greatest lat-
| tude is given BY the Constitution.
The first election of General Jackson in
some measure attributable to the solemn declara-
ton of his party that he would only term
but after this distinguished man reached the White
House, crowd of haterers and corrupt politicians
got about him, and placed the country IN such
position, that he was persuaded to stand tor a re-
election, which carried in consequence OF his
great personal popularity and the peculiar crlss OF
affairs at that period. The principle thus asserted
by the democratic party became subject OF great
inquiry amongst their opponents, the wings, and
it is well known that at the Harrisburgh Conven-
ton, when General Harrison was nominated,
there was a general understanding that his
election te the Presidency was to be only
for a single tenn. We are gratiied to per-
ceive now that during the recent Wing Con-
vrntion at Baltimore. the wings assembled from all
parts of the country, with great good sense and
unanimity, have adopted distinctly and boldly the
single term principle, that they go into the field
determined to do the best they can for Mr. Clay,
for one term only. The effect of such sef-sacr-
ficing liberal and enlightened principle will, no
doubt, help the wing cause very much amongst all
considerate and rejecting men, and it is probable
that The practical abandonment of this principle by
the democratic party, that portion of it at leas,
which affects to be favorable to Mr.. Van Buren,,
has been one great cause of the discussions which
now threaten their very existence. When the
Il
ddate as Mr. Cay, and announce their solemn
adherence to the one term principle, 1t is very
naturally asked-why should MIR. Van Buren,, who
has already occupied the Presidential chair, and
who has been defeated on presenting himself
candidate the second time, make another at
tempt and invite another trial of strength or, why
should John Tyler it is also asked, who has also
had his single term by fortunate concurrence of
events, press for any denomination from any quar-.
ter, in the face of the impulses of the American
people to restrict the tenure Of the presidency to
one term?
The conviction OF the necessity for combining the
term of the Presidency to one term, has obvious
ly been forced upon mems minds by the multitude
OF candidates, and particularly from the belief that
purer administration of the government could be
secured by removing all motives to the intriguethe
corruption-the chcanery-the abuse of patronage
and power, by setting entirely aside all hopes of
! reelection. And all this is the sound and sober
results of experience. Look at the terrible defal-
| catons-the gross delinquencies-the astounding
corruption which were presented in all their enor-
nifty on the close of Mr.. Van Buren's first term
and which all owed their existence to the efforts
made by the Office holders and their adherents to
force Mr.. Van Buren, upon the country and the de-
mocracy, second time in 1870 Look at the IL
| diculous efforts and the very questionable acts
which have been recently developed in connection
| with Mr. Tyler for the same purpose in this and
other cties-to create party in opposition to the
| great impulses of the people, which are taking an
ogether different direction.
From this pid and comprehensive view of the
movements of the people OF this country in rela.
non TO the proprety and prudence of adherence to
The single term principle II will be perceived that
the democratic party about to meet in Convention
at Baltimore, will have the most substantial rea-
sons TO set aside the claims OF Mr. Van Buren, and
Mr. Tyler, without even a word of apology. The
distinct and decided annunciation of the adoption
by the wings of the one term principle forces itself
Ike flash of lightning upon the democratic par
". We will see on the meeting OF that Conven-
ton on the 9th of this month, whether the dele
gates from the people appreciate their position and
he feeling of the country by the adoption of this
principle, which the wing party are bringing to
bear against them in the ensuing election
EXCURSION TO THE Rocky MOUNTAINS We I'M
derstand that Sir William Drummond Stewart the
celebrated traveller has Just returned from another
excursion to the distant regions of the Rocky Noun
talns He is now in this city on his way to Europe
During the recent excursion he has been traversing
| both sides of the Rocky Mountains for period OF
nearly two years. He carried with him large par
| ty, amongst whom were botansts, naturalists and
trtiss-some from Germany, and some Scotch and
English He has made very large and valuable
collection of botanical productions, part Of which
he shipped down the Columbia River for England
by the way of Cape Horn, and part he has brought
here to carry with himself to Europe.
First and last, Sir William has spent about ten
years round about the Rocky Mountains, traver-
sing those wild regions which e in the neighbour
hood of the branches of The Missouri and Coum
nia Rivers, and encouniering innumerable hair
breadth escapes from the Indians Perhaps no in
dvidusl of the present age possesses much per-
sona knowledge of these regions as SIR William,
and if he would give narrative Of his adventures,