The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1856-05-10

THE oNE-TERM PRIEOIpLE.

Is A
10 BE- engraed upon the democratic creed OF the inelg
blity Of man for a reelection 10 the presidency This
oueerm principle is zeaously urged hy its disciples and
win be pressed upon the consideration Of the Cincinnati
Convention Believing the doctrine to be erroneous, and
m application injurious IL ID my purpose TO submit lew
observations in opposition TO its adoption.
What are the assigned in support Of this prnc
nile As gather them they briefly these First That
no man has right to look forward TO re-eeetioui that
four years Is sufficient and that he should then yield
Mace 10 others Second. That man is entitled TO the
Office and least of ALL reward for faithful service
And third If eligible TO reelection that the immense
Of the Executive would be corrupdngy exered
n order to promote the denomination and reelection OF
the incumbent and that his political acts would tend to
the same result
II seems to me but few words necessary IN order to
meet these speeous objections In the first place no one
asserts the right Of look forward TO reelection
a. inherent in himself but only as the iree ana cheerui
Offering CT majority Of his countrymen And this right
would exist in three any number Of elections u SO au-
thorzed by the law But it is maintained, or rather as
serted that four years Is sufficient for one man. ana mat
he should then yield % others and immediately "er
declared that no man Untitled % e o8fes Now, 1t seems
10 me there is an inconsistency here II no man IS entitled
Inv inherent right 10 the office why should the incumbent
be called upon to yield others although be be the choice
Of majority Of the people for the next ermf Upon what
ground could you base so unreasonable denandf why
would sou call upon him to yield to Others when you your
selves declare that no is entitled the Officer And the
people if adverse the claims Of the incumbent will select
another and suitable exponent Of their views aud it
will be done with without your one-term principle.
The third urged in support of this doctrine is
based upon degenerate estimate OF human nature both
regards he who Yields the power and they whom it is
exercised 1t may be unfortunate for me that do not
agree with those who believe the power Of the Executive
50 great and his disposition to exercise it SO unworthy
TIA rintiep and
press will OF the people.
It requires too great draft upon my credulity to be-
eve that the great of the American peoplethe hon.
est Industrious farmers and the Woodworking mechanics
are ignorant degraded to become the tools of
corrupt Executive mould their wills according to its die
aes and surrender their principles to the power of his
patronage We have inherited from fathers love Of
Independence and of liberty which neither the influence of
gold nor the power of steel could eradicate from their
hearts And have their children degenerated in patriot
ism as to be bought by official PATRONAGE spurn the
accusation Neither is the patronage of the Executive
large the degradation of the people great to pro-
duce such lamentable result With large and nte-
gent population scattered immense of terri
tory, what be the influence of the few who hold Office
under the federal government Washington is fair
ample Here where the oice-holders numerous
the midnight ORDER the opponents of the administration
have always carried the elections 1t is idle to talk Of
ecutivcinfuence for in this free country the will Of the
psope must and viii be heard. But again: cannot be-
ieve that patriotism is at low ebb that the Chief
Magistrate of the Union would prostitute the powers of bis
high office to purposes Of personal ACKNOWLEDGEMENT. He
is elected by the people tue representative of certain
great political principles which he is expected carry
in the administration of the affairs Of government II he
ia faithful in the discharge of his duties and true TO the
constitution and the political principles upon which he
elected, would ask is he to be thrown aside simply
because he has served four years and Others want turn
Now, it being conceded fact that is entitled the
office the only question TO be considered is who is the
choice Of the peope2 Suppose In their sovereign
capacity The American people express decided preference
for the incumbent but this principle steps in and
says that he has right to ook forward re-elec-
ton, and yet its advocates assert that he had
right to his first election. Why, then, attempt to place
the issue upon the ground Of right when il only
fairly rest upon popular suffrnge2 his right is equal
that ofany other candidate aud bis claims paramount
irresistible when preferred and sustained by the voice
Of the people hold the system Of reelection author
lied by the law TO be both expedeut and beneficial be-
eyng that il is unwise and impoIitic proscri5e man
who has been and faithful in the executive chair
His reelection would be heralded not as the reward or
premium for patriotism, but the free and cheerful offer
ing OF his admiring countrymen There is but class
Of men whom the reelection of President would
rally affect and 1t is those whose merits in their
eem have been sighted and who have been disappointed
in not receiving portion OF the "spos Of office" They
build their hopes upon man, and expect through
him meet with better luck and satisfy the cravings
their hungry appetites trust not willing sacr-
nee who has been tried and NOT found wanting In
order TO crafty those whose conduct but plainly
indicates that they fight political battles for self and not
Tor principle policy which has given to the country
the repetition Of the patriotic services OF Washington JEFF
srson Madison Monroe, and Jackson ought be dis
earded upon light and trivial considerations The democ-
cy are nov engaged in fighting the battles Of the copst
tuition and it behooves adhere TO the ancient land
marks OF fathers and repudiae settled policy
which finds Its justification in the experience Of the past
the people adverse the reelection Of President
he cannot and win not obtain III so that the only effect
Of the adoption Of this principle will be to hwar the win
the people whenever they may desire to honor faithful
servant with reelection with renewal Of their conf
denee and esteem confess see nothing democrats
10 the proposition.
But this Objectionable doctrine as urged At tho present
time with SO much warmth and zeal carries with Il pecu
liar Significance il is generally understood that the
names Of Franklin Pierce James Buchanan and Stephen
A. Douglas win be submitted TO the Cincinnati Conyeu-
ton candidates for the democratic nomination for the
presidency, either OF whom in that Office would reflect
honor upon the country and credit upon the party that
sustained him Their respective merits well known,
Sod every s1erton Is being made the part Of their
friends to secure the nomination of their avoriie But 1t
much to be regretted that personal predictions should
carried 50 far as to disturb the harmony and good feel
ing which should be preserved between brothers in the
@0n Inc democracy must be united II they would be
'ueoesSui We are not fighting for men but for prin-
pes and whoever shall be nominated by The Cincinnati
convention should and no doubt will receive the cup
mast II