The Yazoo Democrat., 1845-05-21
me Deanocratlc Review, ana sts NJ.
position 70 "shorten the Proslde,,- O'
tlal temure.g

uaA tenuress
AS usual, the April number Of nj. .h,s
Periodical Is filed with entertainin0 J .nS
interesting productions. But thai Svb;oh
deserves particular notice, is devoted =
politics, and titled, !" "A much needed -
form, inasmuch Is It advocates an irnnor
tapt change in the Constitution Of M H.,
ten States. ~
Il y the privilege Of the press, and tba
duty Of American citizens when ! proro.;
ton having for its object d reform II tbei,
system Of government is presented for their
consideration, to deliberate calmly upon 4.
effects; and render that judgement which
prudence, honesty, and patriotism dictate
The proposition alluded to comes before the
people in an imposing form, it is the Off
spring Of an able, widely circulated, and
therefore influential organ Of powerful
party, and the task Of soberly reAectino
upon it is rendered still more obligatory in
asmuch as many leading papers are repub.
fishing it.
The object Of the Review is to. adopt
measures to allay the turbulent spirit Of
party that RACES with such fury during eve.
ry Presidential campaign.
None win withhold from Il commenda.
ton for its evident ardent desire to destroy
this evil genius that has existed in this ma.
ton since its existence. But an attempt
to quell party excitement in free govern.
ment like ours when tho liberty Of speech,
Of forming opinions and executing them, is
guaranteed to the people, is as Preposter.
ous as an endeavor to re-organize the mind.
The "nuisaace" complained of by this
modern reforneer, has agitated the country
more or less during every Presidential con.
test, since the days Of Washington, and
will continue to exist so long as the elcc.
tion of Chief Magistrate is vested in the
people.
To effect its object the Royiew proposes
to "sborten the Presidential tenure, and
reduce the Erecuticc patronage" declares
its preference for an annual term soith an
restricted rc-cligibility," and ingeniously
contends 1t is the balm that win restore
ease and quiet to the body polite, and quell
those terrible connections, that seem to
shake our goYernmentto its centre. 1t as.
serts that if the proposed reform were
adopted, cit would make Presidential
election less important" and by decreas-
ing its Importance, render less violent the
struggle to obtain it.
To test the soundness of this argument,
it is necessary to ascertain the real cause
Of the agitation of the public mind during
so important civil conflict. 1t is true,
that dishonest politicians, who allured by
the splendor of Office, seeking to grasp its
glittering spoils, add fuel to the heated fur
mace by innumerable intrigues, but the can.
did observer, of our past history win not
assign that as the reason for those popular
commotions which the Review so bitterly
deprecates. The importance which both
parties have ever attached to their princi.
Piles, and desire for their supremacy is the
prime and the actual cause, VIII an "Gn.
ataI term" diminish the Importance of
those measures and lessen the anxiety Of
the contending parties to effect their tri-
umph
Admitting designing demagOgues excr.
else too much influence for the tranquility
Of society, yet, can it be asserted without
casting an unjust, base impuIation upon
the mass of the enlightened voters of our
country, they are the dupes of their designs,
and do not cast their sufiagcs for the pro-
motion Of principle.
Although the Review treats lightly the
opinion, which has been so correctly ad.
yanced that more frequent Presidential elec.
lions win have powerful tendency to ex.
cite the public mind, yet, we contend that
the very nature Of man win allow US to
make no other deduction. So often as the
people are compelled to act upon a great
measure, so often win excitement prevail.
The Review proposesto Limit the power
Of the President IN bestOwing official pat
rr,as-.-....re ~LooI, A., oolstotfc,.