New-York tribune., 1871-12-16


ton" WAas ~ psod old NAto doo'1s Of One Prsst
dea.sal nsr r~ Tho question being agitated among
us. and any light upon II wti b thankfully rceevsd
Yours, ..'' A. @ RfcK1fis'
Ann Arbor Mich.
RcspoMss By Tho Ttibsne.
II our correspondent has understood us as
teaching that Wings only upheld the One-
Term principle, he mistook us. We have al
ready quoted extensively from Gen. jackson,
George McDufBe, and other eminent Demo-
Gratis, in favor of that principle. We believe
no other disputed proposition ever received
such general assent from tho experienced and
eminent Statesmen Of our country, without
distinction Of party, as thislt Is not right that
ang ono. whib Wielding the rast po,cer and pa
trenags Of iths Presidency, shall bs candidate
tor that or any Other oelos. That this WAS
Gen. Grants opinion, prior to his election in
1858, we have conclusive proof. But our friend
asks with regard to "the Whiy doctrine" and
we answer accordingly. ......, ....
The first. Whig National Convention ever
hdld assembled at Harrisburg, Pa, early in
December, 1889, and was attended by the
most eminent and honOred chiefs of that
party. Eight of its Vice-Presidents had been
Governors of their respective States, while o
large proportion were or had been Embassa-
dors, Senators, Representatives in Congress,
&c. This Convention nominated Gen. VIM.
Henry Harrison of Ohio for President, with
John Tyler of Virginia for Vice-Prcsidcnt.
1t framed no platform" Gas the modern
term is); but the convictions of the party
were so fixed and well known that Gen. Har-
rison, in accepting its nomination for Pres;-
dent, placed himself squarely on record as
follows:
al deem proper at this time to renow tho
heretofore frequently made, that, should be elected to
the Presidency will under no circumstance consent
to be candidate for second tern"
In this letter of acceptance, Gen. HarIison
refers for q fuller exposition of his principles
to one he had some time before written to
the Hon. IIarmar Denny Of Pittsburgh, Pa.
In that letter, he says:
"Amopg the principles proper 10 be adopted by any
Executive sincerely desiring TO restore tho Admnisra-
ton Its original simplicity and purity deem tao fol-
lowing OF Importance:
al. To eontlne A4 serpices to a stncle tcrn."
Again, in his speech at Dayton, Ohio, Sept.
10, 1910, Gen. Harrison said
"U he proie0e of being President Of The Gated Srs
had BEEN limited to term, the incumbent could de'o
utl UHc 70 MS ptOO U"O 6sefe bO"" oo
cause misrils The country shall not nnimadvcrt on
tho conduct present Administration lest may
In that case, conceive that aiming at the Prcs.
dcncy to for selfish purposes should be an In
terested witness II entered into that subject But
pledge myself before Heaven and Earth. II elected
President OF tho United States. 10 ay docn at r.; end OF
the ter faithfully that high trust OF the feet Of the
People"
HENRY CLAY declared himself to the same
of9n only hut rnppatplIV OcrSjSt-
emily. In Ills speech t. the companions of
his childhood, at Taylorsville, Hanover Co.,
Va June 81. 1910, be said:
with Wow, therefore, tho fundamental character
Of the Government ITSELF and especially OF tn Executive
branch it that either by amendments ofthc
Constitution whom they cssary, or by remedial
legislation when the object falls within the Of the
powers OF Congress, there should be,
"lst provision to render person ineligible tn the
President OF the Untod States after service Of
ono term. .."
"Much observation deliberate reflection salts
fed that too much OF tho time, tho thoughts and tho
cxerons of the incumbent occupied during the first
term securing his reelection The public business
consequently, suffers: and measures proposed or
executed with regard to the general prosperity than
their influence upon the approaching election. II the
limitation to term existed tho President would bc
exclusively devoted to the discharge OF his public duties
and he would endeavor to sgnalize his administration
But this, some will say, was while polit-
ical opponent was President, and he wanted
to defeat his reelection. But Mr.. Clay held to
the principle after Van Eurcn's defeat as
firmly as before. Witness the following letter:
ASHLAND Sept. IL, 1912.
"DEAR SIR: received your favor, communicating
tho patriotic purposes and views Of the young men OF
Philadelphia, and take pleasure, in compliance with
your request stating Of tho principal objects
which, suppose, engage tho common desire and the
common excrtion Of the whig party to bring about In
tho Government Of the United States These are'
"a sound National Currency, regulated by the will and
authority Of the nation.
Gan adequate Revenue, with lair Proteeuon 10 Aiier
lean Industry.
"Just restraints the Executive embracing further
restriction on tho exercise Of the Teto
faithful administration Of the Public Domain, with
An Equitable Distribution Of the proceeds of the sales o.
II among the States
"An Honest aud Economical adunisrratlon Of tho
c,eueral Government leaving Public Officers perfect
freedom of thought, and Of the Right OF Suffrage; but
with suitable Restraints against Improper Interference
In Elections
"An amendment Of the Constitution, limiting me In
eumbemt Of Tie Presidential o0fes TO Single Term.
These objects attained, think that should cease
to b. afflicted with bad administration OF the Govern
men am respectfully your friend and obt servant.
"Mr. Jacob strattou. HENRY CLAY"
The second Whig National Convention as
sembled in Baltimore May 1. 1844-John NJ.
Clayton of Delaware prcsiding-and Hmani.
nsOttsly nominated HENRY CLAY for President.
Theodore Frelinghuysen was nominated for
Yice-President. That Convention, with one
voice,
Resoired. That In presenting to the country the
Of Henry Clay for President and Theodore Frcling.
huysen for Vce-President, this Convention s actuated