New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1868-03-12
POLITICAL.
THE OPPORTUNITY OF THE HOUR.

THE OPPORTUNITY OF THE HOUR.
Whatever may be the result of the impeach-
cnt case now pending before Congress- there ben
eft that should be secured from IT, which ought not TO De
lost to tue country We ought not in short to lose the
rare Opportunity which IS afforded to put through
te Cons. !tutonal Amendment limiting the Presidential
Office 10 single term. Tie want Of that reform IN the
Constitution has long been seriously felt There is
proposition upon which the people entirely agreed
1t was earnestly recommended by both Washington and
Jackson at their retirement from Office and it has never
had opponent IA any party section OF the country
that ever heard Of Why, then, IL should not at once
be passed under the admoniton ohe present scandalat
the Capitol. We confess we are at loss to guess.
The reClgbuity OF the President has direct tendency
20 convert every occupant OF the Executive chair into
mere political adyenturer Even good men, under such
pressure of temptation. easily persuade themselves
that the extension of their power is the very best thing
that could happen tire country; and when their
conscience has turned this corner the best OF them viii
hardly hesitate to put rascas into the places OF good men,
provided the change shall enue 20 their own presidential
fortunes The Executive example is thus made the very
source ana fountain ol 9 the pOntcal delnoalalo OF
the country and official dishonesty must be the rule, and
continue 20 Increase in all the subordinate departments
White TINS corruption AT Is lnaihaheu, but
under tc Oretcrm principle the President can nave no
interest except IL tne pune NeaIe lls ~
AMBITION VIII teh ne 10 serve lhe country honestly III
order that he may leave behind him good name Upon
the reflective principle, the contrary he rapidly sub
Ofdnatcs l considerations OF the pubic Weuale 10 PS
personal designs, and becomes, at least, the chef OF
u
moral turptude he may not hesitate, as we have seeu 10
assume sovereign powers, or even 20 mediate the be-
trayal Of the Government tOhOstile hands.
At the time OF the adoption OF the Constitution, the
mischcvOus tendency of the reflective principle was not
that simple age in the Judgment Of the people was
thought 20 bc sufficient guarantee against inc Ieeiecon
oi any who had not been clear in his great once
lime bad cnepscd ielf Sniccnty TO reveal the form
alton Of q Dagou. which, TO degraded minds took rank
above original love OF country lie saw, intact tt
after All thc labor of the fathers door had been unwa
OF the rcpulated principle Of monarchy Ihele cOnu ne
stronger proof TINS than the tact that he had been
rendered OF Office under this very Constitution
and lac therefore entreated his counymen IN ms iarc
well address, 70 close " mp AGAINST lHs uanser lnS
equally patriotic Jackson, VINO also voluntarily retired
from oics followed Washington example with similar
caution. " cannot TOO earnestly invite yohr altnll3h
TO the propHe'y Oh pro2ouhg s1cn aiig r ~
ineligible ater one term OF service McIe .4
words Of ms parting Wessse' and tS mem mem
had discovered that hghas they stood fixed within
the ramparts OF their own ncOrlupumc integrity mere
scduce even them, and they plead FOR the weaker sue
ccsSos who might not DE 80 ap,e 10 resist 'u nF I'm
danger Tier experience in Office taught them also that
ti clp11tiop To- President to reflect himself is 40
with tc main theory of American institutions u IS the
first instinct OF republic 20 dlspeFSe the cOnsouatlS
tcDdcncs of official power by changing the occupants
of the greater Offices frequently possible; whe IN
monarchy, il there is one inclination more prominent
grin on place and make tie occupants thereof pTy-
ilcgcd class A too ardent Democracy may carry the
iUruer system TO wild extreme pnt u cannot lhahc
mistake in limiting the terms Of those potential place
men, WHO, being rObed IN the attitude or Kings are TOO
easily persuaded to usrp the attributes OF sovereignty.
But the single tendency OF the reflective prncpe 70
corrupt the incumbent Of the Presidential Office TO the
OF the pubic patronage Is reason enough why he
evil should be ahated proposed. Ihat temptation mas
constant tendency as said before, to convert the
who should be public servant INTO mere pOlltla
adveuturcr and render him capable, If he be not OF
strong original moral fiber OF pcrpetratng any crime
out consideration for poor human nature, therefore,
rs well for the safety OF the country tins temptation
should De removed We cannot constantly stand ready
TO impcach every President who Is guilty OF indirect
practices toward his reflections and much better
TO remove misconduct, than 10 invent statutes
TO punish misconduct after 10 done We are exceedingly
believe the danger deeper
than most men suppose And we are not alone III tns
apprcc sion for there many who revere the memory
of Abraham Lincoln, who believe ulaJ Had uOt uis
career been cut short by violence We should not nave
seen another President during his Henme, even
though ne had reached the period OF iOufsc0fe years
the patriotism OF Gen. Grant who cannot contemplate
without ueaSineSs the prospect Of military iDennDehI
of the Presidential chair subjected TO the temptation 70
reeect himself with the vastly increased ana constantly
upon. II the danger of the reflective principle was
thought TO great by Washing tOn and Jackson when
the officers OF the army and navy might nave Deen
gathered in lccerOo, and the patronage ol le clN
posmasters and Judges what should IL be considered
now with $1,000 standing troops ana hordes OF
ers swarmug AL the face OF the land! The present.
therefore, may be said TO be the last chance
through this universally desired refom-the last,
because the present incumbent OF the EXecu-
tive chair probably the only one we shall ever see
there who will have sufficient influence to Kill IT, In
the name OF Washington ana Jackson therefore ana aso
Of the sad experience OF the hour beseech Congress 20
upon the golden opportunity 70 pass the oneeIu
BILL aud permit future Presidents TO be patriots ana
honorable men. tlW1kesf spirit OF the Ilnes.