Washington sentinel. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1856, 1856-03-06

ssS- The following card speaks for itself
Weinsert it as matter Of justice to Mr.. Buell.:
OFFICE or NATIONAL DEMOCRATIC REVIEW,
Washington, Feb. s, 1856.
Editors Of the Washington Sentinel
While on visit to the city Of Richmond,
my attention was called TO an able article In
your journal of Saturday last upon the Single
Term Principle. The writer is undoubtedly
q legitimate descendant of the witness de-
seribed by The English poet,
Whose evidence, If he were called by law
To swear 10 some enormiy he saw,
For want of prominence and just relief,
Would hang an honest man and save thief
Hear him:
"Mnch has been said and written, recently,
upon what has been called the sone term prin
ciple-that is, to limit the Presidential term
of Office to single election of four years 1t
is question to which we have heretofore given
but little attention or reflection, nor would we
do so now if the glazing fact was not presented,
from various quarters, that the Executive or
gans have made a Simultaneous attack upon
il as a base and dangerous innovation, not
only upon the established aSages, but upon the
creed of the Democratic party; declaring, in.
deed, that a limitation of the Presidential term,
In one Incumbent, to four years, would be u
violation of the CONSTITUTION Some weeks
ago, a neatly gotten up and well conducted
periodical in this city, called the Democratic
Review contained long article, display
ing much ability and research, in favor Of the
one term principle. The whole ground of
discussion was encompassed, and good and
sound reasons were assigned in sustaining
the position assumed by the writer. But,
alas for human frailty, when under the do
minon Of patronage porsr! the very next
number of the Reuieac presented another long
article on the same subject belaboring its first
born most numerically, and stoutly maintain.
ing the two-term' principle rs the great bull
wark of the Democratic creed
"What could have produced this sudden
change OF opinion in the mind of political
editor, who had evidently long and carefully
studied his subject? What new revelation
produced this remarkable conversion2 Let us
inquire, in friendly way, and see whether we
can throw any light upon the subject A day
or two after the one term article made its
appearance in the Review, it was pounced
upon by the Chief Executive organ, and ham
died in rather savage manner. The harp
cf0 thousand strings sounded its highest and
most impressive notes, dennnciatory of any
and every attempt to interfere with the present
two-term principle, aud thus prevent the
otherwise certain re election of President
Pierce The strains from the harp were
electrical, irresistible, and the Reyiew-gun
was silenced, its position changed--then,
charged with other ammunition, was turned
against itself. 1t did not float al its mast
head, and stand by the motto, Nuta,e rel
tinere Speono.'
Now, gentlemen, compliments and curses
make bad neighbors, and ought always to ride
III separate trains. The author of the article
in the Sentinel must know that even friendship
furnishes no apology for gross misrepresenta-
tons; and 1t is to be regretted that one so
well acquainted with the history of the country
and the elements of language, should allow
himself to be dipped into the preparation of an
inexcusable blunder in regard TO the simplest
fact III his category. / am fully authorized to
say the Democratic Recter has never sought
governmental patronage-does not desire it
could not obtain it 10 the amount of n dollar.
1t was established in Washington CITY. mol TO
praise men, but TO advocate principles: il has
made an honest appeal to the masses of the
people, and that appeal has been nobly re-
sponded to by the untrammeled press of the
nation.
Why the writer imagines the Review has
changed ground, it is difficult to understand
The plain facts i'll the case are as follows: The
January number of the National Democratic
Review contained an article from the pen of
the editor, entitled, "The Presidency in 1856
the Single Term Principle In this article
bold ground was taken in favor Of practical
recognition by the coming National Democratic
Convention Of the radical Jeffersonian doctrine
of electing President for but single term
At the request of warm friend Of the Admin.
istration, ! admitted in the February number
OF my work communication taking excep-
tons TO the positions assumed in January.
The only object was to avoid even the appear
ance of illiberalty.
The Review is committed absolutely TO the
principle OF single term. Upon this ground
IT will stand or fall. Judging, however, from
the tone OF the press, and the liberal support
which my periodical has received from the
sterling Democracy of every State of the
Union, there will be but small party in the
Cincinnati Convention favorable TO the doc
trine of re-eligibility.
am pleased to see that your paper is a
bold and Incorporating advocate Of the
great principle Of limiting the services of the
Chief Magistrate of the United States to a
single term. Youhave planted yourselves upon
ground which is de!ensible, and, if you shall
MAINTAIN your position without yariablness
or shadow Of turning" you will render SER
vice to the Democracy which future times will
acknowledge.
The present is the epoch for bold speaking,
bold writing and bold men the race is be-
tween the agents Of the Government and the
representatives Of the people--between ildivi-
dual rights and consolidated administration
between the will of the majority and the power
Of the few
There was time in the history of this coun-
try when it was possible to discuss a great
question, like that Of the Presidency, without
becoming liable TO an imputa,ion Of improper
motives. That time, however, is past; the
American press, though unirammeled by con.
sttutional or legislative letters, seems destined
TO become the carefully scrniinized agent OF
Executive pleasure, subject in all things what.
soever 10 an occasional rescript Of the Presi-
dent. We have almost reached The day of
manifestoes; public opinion is declared from
the headquarters through the organ Of the
Government with the boldness which charac.
terized the declining hours Of imperial Rome
A Presidential infallibility, not at all nm.
like, in its real essence, the regal divinity OF
Aar ~.