The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1871-09-14

powerful support He failed to achieve
the Presidency, and did not succeed in
ENGRAVING that principle on the Federal
Constitution. But Van Buren,, who was
1rst chosen in 1886 by decided majority,
was left IN meagre minority at the close
OF his canvass for second term He tried
| again IN 1914, and was badly beaten in til e
national convention Of the party, by James
h. Polk, of tennessee, who, though then
elected, declined even to seek a second
term. General Taylor, who succeeded
him, died early in the second year OF his
term, and Willard Fillmore, who, being
Vice. President, succeeded him, was beaten
by Gen. Scott in the Wing National Con-
| vention of 1852. Gen. Franklin Pierce,
whom the Democrats then elected, tried
to be renominated in 1856, but was beaten
in the Convention by James buchanan,
who did not seek a denomination, knowing
well that such quest would be vain Mr..
Lincoln, who was then chosen by the Re
publicsns, was eelected by them in 1864,
the civil war then In progress impelhng
many to support him in Difference 10 the
saw that discourages the swapping OF
horses while in the act of crossing rag
ing torrent.
Mr.. Lincoln thus constitutes the sole
exception TO the tai lure of so many eff
| forts to re-elect President since 1882,
Meantime those efforts have undoubtedly
cost some signal defeats TO either party.
Had Mr.. Van Buren, gracefully retired at
the close of his first term his party might
very probably have avoided that stunning
defeat il 1910. Had Fillmore done like
wise in 1852, the Wing party might have
been defeated, but could not have been
bod - h. g
Pierce that year. Time aud again since
the Federal disaster of 1900 has first one,
then the other, party run, or tried 10 run,
a President for a second Term. For quar-
ter of century these efforts proved sue
cessful. OF late they have generally prov
ed disastrous. Can We not discern the
signs of the times:
That the change has been real and based
neither upon personal nor partisan con-
siderations is evinced by the gradual sdop-
ton of the contested principle in other,
yet kindred, spheres. Witness the post
of Governor, which was formerly filled in
nearly or quite every State without re
strlctiOn on this head, whereas at this
time in the States of New jersey, Virginia,
Georgia, Indiana, Illinois, South Carolina
and Kentucky, q Governor is not eligible
to reelection while in office or for the
term succeeding that for which he was
elected. In Arkansas, Texas and Ore
gon, he may serve but eight years
out of any twelve. In Maine, North
Carolina, Alabama and Mississippi,
he may serve but four years out of any
six; in Pennsylvania, six years out of any
nine; in Tennessee, six years out of any
eight. The intent in each case, however
imperfectly developed, is to check, if not
overbear, the tendency to use patronage
for the indefinite perpetuation of power
Mr.. Greeley concludes by saying all that
Is needed is an intelligent, earnest, wide
spread conviction that the practice of re-
electing Chief Magistrate while in Office
is fraught with evil and peril; that it dis
tracts his attention from the proper cares
and duties of mis- station, and impels him
to consider not who are tittest and most
worthy to fill the offices in his gift, but
what choice will be most likely to improve
his chances OF denomination. We shall
yet achieve O civil eorvico rcfOrnl-nay, we
must Office seeking is our national vice,
divesting our workshops of apprentices
and our farms of half the int ligent, en-
ergetic, aspiring youth who ought to make
our agriculture of the next thirty years
exhibit series of brilliant advances and
Improvements upon all that preceded it,
But vainly shall we hope for such reform
through the looping off Of branches, while
the root OF the upas remains intact and
vital. That root is the reelection, while
in Office, of Presidents, Governors, and
other dispensers Of vast patronage, with
their consequent temptation to use that
patronage IL aid of their continuance in
power