Washington sentinel. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1856, 1856-03-01

When they assembled in college, they cast
their vutes for President and Vice President,
without any guide to their conduct, other than
the knowledge they possessed Of their con-
sttuents-the PEOPLE they represented. ELEc-
TORS appointed under the provisions OF the
Constitution held then position very similar
to that occupied now by delegates 10 the Ma
TIoNAL CONVENTION. The convention now
places in nomination a candidate who obtains
the vote of the party nominating This secures
the election of the nominee of the strongest
party The electoral college, until caucus
nominations were originated in Congress, early
in the present century, performed the duty Of
both nominating and electing. Now they are
but instruments to carry into effect the positive
Instructions of the party who elects them. At
the election of 1924, Congressional nomina-
tons were broken down; and General JACKSON
was afterwards nominated by separate State
Conventions, and elected upon these nomina-
TONS when NATIONAL CONVENTION was
agreed upon as the best mode of concentrating
the strength of the party. Hence il might be
argued that the constitutional prohibition to
the appointment of office holders 10 the posi-
ton of Electors might nov be applied to the
appointment Of delegates 10 the National Con-
vention. We do not, however, assume this
position as being correct; and only advert to
it, for the purpose Of showing that the trainers
| Of the Constitution were unwilling to grant q
PRESIDENT in Office, the additional advantage
over every other candidate named by the
| people, of having officers dependant upon his
patronage, clothed with the power of deciding
between him and another, as his successor in
the Presidential Office With regard to mem
bers of Congress, it is entirely dfferent-they
are elected by the people, independents OF Elk
ecutive infuence-and owe allegiance alone to
their constituents, whose will they must feel
bound 10 reflect and carry into effect.
GEORGE WASHINGTON was the first President
Of the Republie-he was twice unanimously
| elected, and then declined further service, or
he might have been continued TO the end Of
of his life He established the ''two term"
rule or principle, which might then have been
called violation of the Constitution" with
| the same propriety that further curtalment
of Executive service to "single term,' is
now opposed upon that ground. JeferSon,
Madison, and Monroe, acquiesced in this rule,
which had met with the appreciation of The
country, and neither of these distinguished
patriots or their friends, ever suggested their
|
election for third term. Andrew Jackson
was the last President reelected. His second
term expired on the 4th of March, 1887, and
since that time no President has been able to
renew his lease in the Executive mansion. 1t
is proper here, too, to say that General JACKSON
favored the one term principle. He expressed
an unwillingness to be candidate for second
term, and only yielded to the pressing solicita-
tons Of the legislatures and people Of several
States, who made strong appeals to him on
the subject.
During the session Of the convention OF
1924, by which James K. Polk was nominated,
the propriety and policy Of combining Presi-
dent to single term, was freely and fully dis
cussed. 1t met with general appreciation, and
Mr.. Polk was voted for, with the express I'M
derstanding that he would not be candidate
for second term. This determination to elect
President for one term only, has not abated
among the people. 1t has grown stronger and
stronger, as the Office holders have increased
in number and power. There was time
when those holding Office contented themselves
with building up reputation by discharging
their duties with ability and fidelity. They
left the nomination and election of President
to the people, who held no places :" of trust
and profit" under the General Government.
But, now, the most active, noisy and contriving
electioneerers in favor of the Presidents re-
nomination, are those holding places under him
and his Executive Departments not here in
Washington only--but throughout the country.
There are, to be sure, some honorable excep-
tions-men who do not fear to declare their
honest preferences, on proper occasions, in de-
6ance Of the espionage by which they are sur
rounded. There was time, too, when the
Presidential Office sought the candidate to fll
it-but now the reverse is the case-the place
is sought by candidates. and when obtained, no
engine Of power is LETT unemployed to retain
Il. To such an extent has executive patronage
obtained dominion over mems minds, that the
partisan press Of the country suffers its free
dom 10 be muzzled, and the most eloquent
tongues have become mute.
We have room for nothing more to-day, on
the tone term principle" which has caused so
much alarm to the existing powers. II is a
prolific topic, and We have much to add here
after.
SOUTHERN MoyENExT.-A few days ago, Mr..
Stark, Of the Mississippi Legislature called up
his resolution touching the Presidential cleo.
tons Of 1856. They declared that if all the