Sunbury American and Shamokin journal. [volume] (Sunbury, Northumberland Co., Pa.) 1840-1848, 1846-11-21


The, true old,fishioned democratic principle,
roisfion in Office, when departed from. rarely
isils to produce sesuits not only uniavorable to
she correct sdainist's,ion of our public affairs,
but of.en proves injurious toths public interests,
and encourages On ovcrbearing sristocracy Of
manner and one Of domination which too long
retention in Office has tendency to beget
The psmpcred hvorite who has been continued
in Office too long. isapt to imagine he 10 there
by inherent right. end forgets the foundation u.
pom which HE power rests: The pe6pie, there.
fore. should a!wsys bear in mind thst the main
object Of our frequently recurring elections
was, and ie, to preserve in their own hands the.
controlling power, which il properly exercised.
assures strict accountability on the part ofthe
elected, and due regard for the interest and
respec: !or the opinions Of his constituents. ~,
Our whole system is based upon and recogni.
zes the irreyersiile sovereignty Of the people,
cad the people to maintain that sovereignty in
full force and make it respected and obeyed,
must neglect no portion Of the wholesome pro.
visions Of our system Of government. diges,ed
with care and designed to protect and defend
every right, and which years Of experience has
improved and strengthened. 'rd siH f;'a. .sdi
+ The accountability Of the elected 10 his elec.
tors cannot be too strictly enjoined nor too scru
pulously observed. and perhaps the return Of the
elected, st the close OF the term for which he
wss chosen, to ningle again among the grea,
body Of the people, giving place to successor
in Office, is the safest and the only true demo-
cratic line, which shoad rarely il ever be De.
parted from. ,,,, ,,,t Do trpo,sse.s,, t..,
Our government is purely elective, bat the
purity of the principle will be best maintained
BY changing the elected % olen A. prsetica.
BILE, and to carry this into effect. the one term
principle 10 the only and true one. a,. ai
r The love Of power which ac,uates every hn.
man being more or less. and an aptitude to in.
dulye in ita abuse, proves 10 every thinking
mind the wisdom Of the men who sdveed those
constitutional checks which not only set bounds
to the exercise Of that power, hut limited it,
duration tn q definite term. To cherish and
enforce this principle is duty which every de-
mocrat owes to his country. Il is our safe
guard against innovati vation-sgainst the intri
eues and plots Of party aspirants-sgainst cor
rnp,ing influences.
Let every individual be permitted to retir'
from Office at the expiration Of the term 70
which he was elected, nor Se permitted to ob
stsuet. By sny kind Of compact or intrigue. tn
free choice BY the people Of . suecessor--le
him fall into the ranks o: private life. amid hi
fellow.citizens, nor attempt 10 interfere will
their ffeedom Of choice BY sego,ia,ing or in
triguing with party for . reelection. Let
always b. bosn in mind. that in our community
we have abundance Of excellent mateFial out q
which to choose our President. Governor. Mem
bers Of Congress. &c. There 10 no dearth {
talents. qualifications end fitness in our grea
Republic for every Office in the gift Of the pee
pie. With these principles impressed deepl
on our minds, We avow ourselves friendly :
what is dcnominated the one term principl.
and will give to it oil the suppor, in our powe
saao Hf, ss o iLsncssier Demoessi.