Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1871-11-22
THE PRESIDENCY OF THE UNITED
STATES.


The choice of head of the government in
vested with the greatest legislative and execu-
tive powers for period of four years is the
most important art of American citizenship,
and the provisions of the Constitution under
which he is elected form the most pecuiar
feature of the American political system. 30
much has been said and written on the subJect
that every educated man knows the supposed
advantages of the periodical election OF the
President as they appear to european critics;
it is sufficient to say that the Americans them
selves are content with it, and seem to feel no
inconvenience from the practice of balloting
for magistrate who has been called "a des-
Dot for four years" The institutions of the
country are so firmly grounded, society is so
strong and free and inartitcial now slavery is
at an end, that nothing is shaken by this gi-
gantic electioneering, even though its result
be to overflow a dominant party, to turn
adrft whole legion of placemen, and to give,
in the language of former President, the
spoils to the conquerors. An English satirist
has said that no sooner is the acrmony of one
election at an end than the acrimony of the
next begins; but what he calls acrimony is
to thoroughbred republicans a healthy. pleas
urable excitement, TO which they betake them
selves at the earliest possible moment.
Though more than year must elapse before
dent of the next term, speculation is rife,
politicians, as the intriguers, go-betweens,
and wire pullers of public life are called in
America, are making ready for the contest,
and the public will in few weeks more be
full of eager interest in their proceedings.
There is sure to be contest, for parties in
America are not easily discouraged; more
over they know that good fight keeps up
vitality, and the most conspicuous defeat Is
better than Sinking the conflict. But, unless
some strange revulsiou in the public occurs.
the victory would seem to be beyond doubt.
The republican party which was brought
into power by President Lincoln and with him
crushed the Confederacy, still remains dom-
nant in the most populous, enlightened and
wealthy of the STATES. National necessities
brought it into existence, and great successes
have consolidated its authority. 1t urged the
North to immense exertions during the Con-
federate secession, and reelected Mr.. Lincoln
for second term, that he might bring the
war to a conclusion. When Mr.. Lincoln was
murdered, and the Vice President who sue
ceeded him attempted to carry out policy
of his own in dealing with the conquered
States, the republicans by their overwhelm-
ing majorities entirely defeated him. They
nullified his amnesty, they passed acts for a
strict and severe government of the South
over his veto, they threatened him with i'm
parchment. Long before his term came to an
end it was known that the next President
would be one whose views agreed with those
of Congress- and who could be trusted to ex
ecute its decisions. Gen. Grant was elected,
and assumed office in March, 1869. Although
chosen as a successful general, and without
strict party pledges, his administration has
been in accordance with the prevailing opin-
ions of the North, and he may be called a re-
publican President. During the last six years
the democratic party has made great efforts
to retrieve Its position. In Mr.. johnson it
had virtual ally and partial reaction
war enabled it to achieve some successes, and
in most of the States to show bold front to
its adversaries. The definite result, however,
is that the republicans maintain their position
The tide of public opinion sets steadily in
their favor. The State elections which are
held at this season of the year have been de-
cisive on this point. Three weeks since the
republicans carried Pennsylvania, Ohio, and
Iowa by increased majorites. In Pennsyl-
vania they had Is, 900 majority, in Ohio 3d.
600. 1t is anticipated that the November
elections will tell the same tale. Great i'm
portance is attached to the vote of Pennsylva-
MIA, ''the keystone State" as it has been
called for as a rule that State has reflected
at large.
t Various causes have combined to produce
this prevalence of republican views. OF
course, the great achievements of the war,
and the conviction that the party may be best
trusted to secure and consolidate what il
gained in the contest, are the enduring bases
of the republican power. But to these may
be added the administrative and financial sue
cess of the last few years, and the favorable
relations of the country with foreign powers
At the same time, it would seem that the
democratic party has, whether justly or other
wise, lost caste. A large majority of the bes,
class of Americans are republicans, perhaps
for the reason that some of the worst have
taken the lead in certain places on the other
side. The city of New York has to bear the
blame of the unpopularity Of the democrats.
1t is observed that since the exposure of the
Tammany frauds the republican feeling has
deepened, and the late elections may have
been largely influenced by this incident.
The general opinion is that Presiden Grant
will be nominated for reelection. In favor
of this course will be the respect he has won,
not only from the republicans, but from mod
crate men OF all parties, by his honest and
conscientious discharge of duty, and the
knowledge of the electors that they have in
him tried man fit for any emergency of the
time. On the other side, there is only the
prejudice against electing the same man twice.
This feeling has been very strong with the
present generation of Americans, and has,
we believe, made single term for the presi-
dency almost cardinal principle with some
politicians. 1t was not so in the early days
of the Union. On the establishment of the
Constitution in 1888, Washington was elected
President; he was REL elected and would have
been elected y third time had he not declined.