The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1856-05-06
THE SINGLE-TERM PRINCIPLE AND EXECUTIVE
PATRONAGE,


II had not the positive Of the editor of the
National Democratic Repie" recently started in this city
the contrary should feel authorized from the
with which be urges in each successive ISSUE the Gin
cnpa Convention declare every incumbent of the pres
identia chair forever ineligible to reelection infer
that the controlling motive for his persistency per-
sonal opposition to the present Chief Magistrate In the
April number Of the Rerie,c however are told that in
urging upon the convention the adoption of this policy the
writer has been actuated by other motive than 'the
highest good of party In another place he is
explicit when he says that "Thus far have been sin
guarly fortunate for have yet had pos
sessing at once inordinae ambition and superior talent
in the presidential chair" 1t may be that the reviewer
considers the present Chief Magistrate as having nord
ambition" blu. not having superior TALENT and
therefore not dangerous Whether this be his opinion of
President Porce not it is not very material to inquire
since he adds that 1.-THE day may come and undoubtedly
sciH come when the interests of this continent, will be
placed temporarily In the hands of wanting neither the
ability the inclination to rample down the dearest
rights of the citizen is not unreasonable to suppose
since the reviewer says that experience in these latter
years has fully demonstrated that have nothing TO hope
but thing fear from the recognition Of the right Of
any man look forward TO reelection to the pres
dency" that his personal wishes and his patriotic motives
run together a-ours in selecting the present time
auspcous for the incorporation into the democratic creed
Of rule which would exclude the present Chief Magistrate
as well all his democratic successors from renomina
ton. aa.s
We will not, however assume in the teeth ofhis positive
disclaimer that his personal wish is father hs patriotic
motive but that the coincidence is only accidental or
y tha M lie
some future day the people may promote the presidency
Of high talents and vsultng ambition who twill
,rsmpe down the dearest rights of the citizen" by in
ducng the people to elect him second time We profess
so much devotion he dearest rights Of the citizen"
that shall not hesitate to cooperate cordially with the
reviewer in averng the catastrophe which he much
breads whenever he satisfies that the people far
incapacitsted for egovernmen not to prevent bad
President from trsmpng upon their rights by refusing to
re-elect him.
To our dull comprehension seems rather poor
pment TO the intelligence and honesty of the people TO
assume that they will first commit the bunder OF eectng
q man Of dangerous ambition and talents to the presi-
dency and the end of four years Of misrule that
they win be dun or so dishonest or 80 cowardly
to require the existence Of rule in the democratic
creed rendering him ineligible to enable them TO avoid
the crime and the danger Of rejoicing him As adj
med by the reviewer that down to this time the people
have either had the good luck the good to choose
as their Presidents who have not been dangerous
either FOR the lack of nordnate ambition or high talents
we do not think It illogical conclude that they may
hereafter be equally fortunate either from continuance
good luck, from the exercise of the same intelligence
and honesty which have heretofore been displayed by them
Without therefore conscnug dsruai the popular ca
pscy for selfgovernment beg leave to suggest
that the reviewer unnecessarily alarmed as TO the dan
ger which he thinks he In future national career
1t may suit hs notions Of democracy make the provs
ions he suggests against the supposed nospscy OF the
pie protect their rights against ambitious and talented
demagogucs but we frankly confess that we have learned
our democracy in a wholly different school
But since the National Democratic Rerep ia 80 per,na-
cious in urging the Cincinnati Convention to provide
cratic nominate any man. whether good bad wise
unwise ambitious or patriotic for reelection we feel
bound not to rely confidently upon faith In tho
intelligence and patriotism Of the people but 70
inc the grounds Of the reviewers apprehensons Of future
danger and sec whether they real or imaginary
lie tells the whole story when he says: One Office
least should be far above the reach Of bargain and sale
Again aThere never was favorable period than
the present for Of those great strokes Of policy
which stamp indeliby upon the democratic party the
feature Of honest dealing And further The people