Arkansas true Democrat., 1857-11-03
For the Arkansas True Democrat.
ROTATION NO. l.

ever been principle of the democratic party, that it is doctrine that is in accordance with democratic principles-or, that though not principle 1t has been a usuage of the democratic partv-or, that the principle is a good one, and should be adopted by the democratic party Some alege that the principle has been prac- ticed and advocated by the democracy from the date of its organization as party; others cry that old fogy'' ideas must give way and new order of things to wit: the doctrine of rotation, be instituted In their several definitions ot the term "rotation," its advocates differ, if possible even more widely from one another (and ire quently the same writer from hlmseif,) than they do in regard to whether the principle has been recognized as democratic one aud II so at what period in the history of the party
 As preliminary to an investigation of the SUD- feet proposed to be reviewed, it is a necessary pre- requisite to define, strictly and correctly the exact signifcation of the word "rotatlon." It is of latin parentage, being derived from the words roto, to turn, rota, wheel, combined TO- tqfi0 and belongs rather to the nomenclature of mechanics and physics than to political litera- ture. To illustrate, a wheel turning on it's axes and completing it's circuit has rotated, any frac ton more or less than a single revolution of the wheel is more or less than a rotation So, too, the earth rotating on its axes divides day from day; more or less than its perfect circuit is more or less than day, aud so more or less than TO- tation. Bringing the word into the domain of our political literature we must preserve its analogy of signllicaton, and thus we find in the application of the doctrine of rotation in office, that every officer, whether the term of his office be for one or a greater number of years, must be retired at the expiration of the period for which he was appointed or elected. One term of office, and one term only, Is the direct and unavoided result of the application of the prin- ciple; and this not alone as to any given office, but as to all offices, and for life, for any person having once holden any, even the humbest official position, Is thereby incapacitaied from ever again serving the public.
 Young South,' writer in the Napoleon Planter, and one or two other advocates of TO- taton, urge its application when an officer shall have served his sec0nl term. This Is utterly inconsistent with the principles they profess to espouse. The principle can not permit vice of more than one term They might as well assert that two revolutions of d wheel are required to make single circuit, or that the earth must twice revolve upon it's axes 10 give usa single day. Language cannot be perverted to suit the caprces ol Individuals; when they use words they must use them in their legiti mate meaning; 50 usel the result o: the doc Urine of rotation is we have above minated To this portion of the subject we shall recur hereafter; al present we desire to look upon its historical aspect.
 Before presenting our own humble views of the truths of history il this couucctior-llow Us first to give some of the declarations of the friends of the doctrine.
 i've have only tosay that rotation ss democratic principle and it has been pr4,ced since the rua-
 9n Ot our government. and 1t is for s opponents to prove tluy 1t i~ nyt democratic pIiHci lc. - foJt >asIh Hr4td, -iag. 2Z,
 As a passing comment, and before producing other extracts, venture on the liberty of eu : quiring m what school of logic the Herald ac- quired it's profound knowledge of that science When oue Gjirms a proposition, we had here tofore believed 1t to be his duty to establish it by proof; not to throw upon disbelievers the onus of convctns of error; the HeraId's mode k tue whole art of controversy made easy to it. self-and the ignorant!
 But however positively the Herald expres- srd itself in the above extract at slightly ear Her period, 1t only held the doctrine to be one that instead of having been practiced since the formation of our government" commended itself to the embraces of the party, because il :" comedies so well with democratic princi- ples," and that t had been 2qtely adopted by the present President" How rapidly the He- raid augmented its stores of political and his torical information, The reader will please ob- serve that it is the one term principle the Herald avows: and we agree with 1t to the extent that if rotation be adopted one term of service Is all that can be allowed:
 We hold, that one of the best and most whole some democratic doctrines or rather doctrine that colncIea so well with democratic principles iS that lately adopted by the present Presidcut-One term and rotation in office It s equally as applicable and proper in state, in national aiiirs, and we should nave Ieolcct If our present Governor had taken the !eti ln tlis matter and had confined himself to out taUt, and let other democrat take the ruLcra- roral chair and rotation in office been tollowe ur by the executive and legislative departments ot the state m selecting State officers. -Iot .SHtth Heru{d l5H 25.
 A very jealous friend of the doctrine, and a correspondent of the Herald, writing from Ozark, over the signature of Rotation" seem: to look upon 1t as d new, very new idea and one that cannot be seized and appropriated too | qHckiy, lest some adversary uireptitiously ob. tam possession of it. The particular "poliLicaI faith" to which it is to be attached is not very l clear; It might be that of the old wbis party who, indeed, originated it; but on the gooG name of the Herald we will presume the refer eucc to be to the democracy. Rotation" says ste Fort Smith Herald, uly 4tn:
 " And a~ the first and most impor ant step. let tn doctrine of rotation ii office be cotublsIcd us d car thn"4 tHlnclpie in our political t.ith.'
 Thus il appears that this writer did not re gard the doctrine as having been sanctioned b, the democratic party from the date of the or 4anAation oi our governments; no, he plead that 1t be no10 adopted.
 | h, f Ia ,b. .t
 ment of the State Rights Democrat, the new editor in giving expression to his views, re markell
 /" Ire pro tenn editor of this paper is in favor of reaNohahtc al PH. alton ot the USAGE not principle 'l rotation, and so i~ every democrat ho deserve the namc lie neither endorses tho ultra position 0 his predecessor, Mir. Anderson, that there should b no rotatlun nor does he approve of the equally ultra position of the Pine Bluff Democrat. that all office holders should be rotated at the end of the seconC | term"
 This quotation recalls the old adage, "wher doctors differ who shall decide?" The State Rights Democrat does not admit that rotation vSes to the dignity of principle, or doctrine but says it has been usage'' of the party- It also differs from the Pine Bluff Democrat a. to the invarable application of the usage at tn, close of second term; denying its propriety how much more widely theL must that paper differ from the Fort Smith Herald, which would have it applied at the close of a first term?
 Another advocate of the principle (not usage of rotation thus defines the meaning it attache: to the principle, pleads for its adoption by tht democracy, and predicts its results The ex tracts though brief and fairly given in this con nection and hereafter we shall again refer tc the article from which we clip them:
 ' By rotation in its strict sense we mean change of officers at each election this We say is the strc meaning of the term rotation in office.
 In word let the democratic party adopt the prn te ol rotation ana they must have good legislators
 We conclude then that rotation is good and soun, doctlIne."-j d" B"e@ hteI}igeacer -4ug. I4M.
 The lntelligencer argues with the Fort Smitl Herald, as to length of service, single term such It says, is the strict meaning of the phrase Such Is our own opinion, and we shall holc them to the point. We have shown in n for mer position of this article, how rapidly the Herald acquired a fuller know ledge of histori