Indiana State sentinel. (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1864-02-15

the cry of"LIScoLs and one term" is circula-
ting through the ranks of the Republicans.
Wilkes IS Jrit of the Times the organ of the
Camp followers, is also the mouth piece of a
powerful section of the Abolition party 1t calls
for combination against LINcoLS's re election
of which it says: a
The co3ntry is all right in tone. Ii has been
willing laugh at Mr.. LincoIn's jokes. for
season; but now that the true strain Of our nsti.
tutions is approaching. it requires courage aud
decorum in the chair of State
For our part, we believe the people will in this
matter, meet with the relief they wish. We can
conceive how popular tumut may, in its first
emotions upbeaves some jocose clodpole to the
apex, but we cannot conceive how. in the face of
dripping gullotines and a rocking empire, Jack
| Bunsby could be elected to preside over a period
like that of the old French Revolution for a Sec
ond terml
Reviewing the history of the Administration
of LINCOLN and his tergiversations, it says:
All this has been brought about in the con-
science of a naturally well inientioned man. by
the corrupting temptation of Il double term, and
we may Judge somewhat further of the dreadful
rigor of that demoralizDg influence by the fact
that the patronage of the Government is not only
being squandered at this moment to debauch the
legislatures into an Illicit nomination of Mr.
Lincoln, but he has actually been engaged of
| late in granting pardons TO military rebels. who
are above the high-water mark of the amnesty
proclamation. in order that they may come within
our lines and electioneer TO carry out his personal
purposes.
As for the amnesty procla mation itself, applied
ms il is to rush Louisiana, Arkansas and Ten
nessee back into the Union. in time for the June
convention. il looks wonderfully like dodge to
recruit votes for Uncle Abraham in that body.
| He must be aware, from the specimen of border
State patriots now in Congress, that these sudden
proselytes will become the NATURAL defenders of
dsloyal neghbors. and that wien the reconsti-
tuted State is back. and can again cart all its
votes, they may relapse with the malcontents into
the slough Of the rebeious "institution, like
Reverdy Johnson, Garrett Davis. and their repre-
sentative train To our mind. therefore. this
rapid reconstruction Of the seeded Sta,es is pre-
mature They should be held IN allowance until
the National Constitution is, amended against
slavery. and once in under that guarantee there
can be no secession. recantation or release.
This view should have struck the mind of a
man tall enough TO he President, and perhaps
il did, but il il did what are we 10 think of Mr.
Lincoln's principles in being willing TO risk an
untimey movement, Tor the mere sake Of the
hastily constructed votes it would contribute to
his personal cnuse in June. These things are, in
themselves. lesson against the project of a
double term, aud should serve as IA particular
warning against Mr. Lincoln. Should he sue
coed, he will at the expiration Of that second
term be still eligible To another term; aud we
can readily conceive from the way in which he
has usel his patronage already, that he
may. ii he be allowed 10 carry his conservative
machine "over the centre into easy running,
repeat himself 100 often for the matter to be re
gardel as Joke. There Is no safety for republi
can liberty, under vastly increased armies
and immensely distended national debt, but to
restrict our powerful President hereafter to a
single term; and the proper way to dictate that
amendment TO the Constitution is TO rebuke Mr..
Lincoln's aspirations for election
But in addition to the political reasons against
a double term. and especially at this time. Mr..
Lincoln is the most unfit man among all the
candidates Of the loyal side, for the tremendous
tasks and responsibilities Of the next four years.
The true war with the rebellion Is yet 10 come.
| What has thus far taken place in arms, is merely
a dazzling military prologue, and the grand body
1 OF the epic Is 10 be performed 10 the Halls OF
Congress and in the Executive Chamber. The
future of this country. nay. the welfare of all la
boring mankind, depends upon the character OF
the adjustment, and in view Of such momentous
| task we doubt Il any but a sslaried retainer or
some hopeful mendicant. will pretend for an IN
slant that such responsibilities would be properly
lodged if lefs ia the hands Of Lincoln Seldom
resolved except 10 be in doubt, he never pro-
crosses but when hammered by the people He
has been wrested step by step from his stubborn
resistance to liberal reforms. MS our troops have
wres.ed territory from the rebels. and with this
insight We have every reason 10 believe we
should End him still more reluctant to practical
advancement while endeavoring TO rope in" the
country on the eve Of bis third term than he Is at
r,reaont fIH Ilitt''Nri .II ffl