Weekly Trinity journal., 1872-07-06
THE" ONE-TERM'' PRINCIPLE.

put iOilD ny ms Nppoutilei - Mliot -
known as the one-term principle" OF
late years, as politicians become more
numerous aud the chances for an election
TO the Presidency decrease in proportion,
it just suits the humor OF the small fry OF
that class to agtate question OF this
nature, by which they have everything
to gain and nothing to lose. The expert
ences of past elections prove, that it is
not always from the front rank Of states
men that presidential nominee is chos-
en-, and in fact, that there are times OF
political excitement when nominee OF
mediocre abilities, riding with the tide OF
/ public opinion upon some question which
has assumed sudden prominence, on
which his party has chanced TO take the
popular side, will defeat a nominee repre-
senting opposite opinions whose reputa-
! ton Tor statesmanship is both national
and world wide. We need but glance
back to the presidential campaigns of
1874. As and '52 in confirmation Of this
Polk and Pierce owed their nominations
solely to the fact that the ADLER men Of
their party each had adherents strong
enough in numbers to make a deadlock
/ in the National Convention, without any
one Of them being possessed Of sufficient
strength TO overcome the combined for
ces of his opponents. Hence Polk, in
1874, and Pierce, in 1852, were nomina-
ted as a compromise between the rccog-
nized leaders of the party and the party
itself.
II is chiefly from politicians Of the Polk
and Pierce calbre that the cry Of lone
term only" comes, though great minds
have, at times, argued for the same prin-
ciple. But it i mainly those who look
for some unexpected turn in the wheel Of
politics to bring them to the surface who
raise the cry. and it is taken up, unthink-
ingly, perhaps, by those who believe in
"anything for change" And now,
what does this " one term idea" mean
Simply thi, that true and tiled fficial
is to he thrust aside at the expiration Of
his term OF service aud one that is untrigd
placed in his stead, that principle may
be served The Presidency the highest
1 place within the gi.. Of the people, is to
4 be the only one office in the nation in
which the officer may acquit himself. ot
all the duties with honor to himself and
to the country; only to be succeeded by
an incompetent intiiguer, whom the
/ chapter Of accidents has made for the
moment the idol Of popular worship
! The advocate, OF the one-teim principle
arc inconsistent that they do not seek to
make it "A pincIple to extend throughout
all the Iamihcations Of our political sys-
TEN yet this seeming incon-i-tency is
easily explained by tue fact that the most
loudmouthed among them, who are or
have been in political life. are or have
been IL pirants for reelection. In all sub
ordinate positions, faithful and honest
service is pat forward as the strongest
claim lor "A reelection, and it, merits are
universally acknowledged. a legislative
officer who has served one session, only
then begins to understand parliamentary
law and usage> well enough to beomc OF
real service to those whom he repre-
sent> the same may be said Of mem
b9r OF Congress. And in all subordinate
positions where the duties are compica
ted, the principle holds equally good, and
it thus follows that officers who have been
proved trustworthy and competent ; and
become thoroughly vCr,ed in the duties
Of their positions, are considered on that
very account as being better qualified for
an election than new men, equally wor-
thy, who would have their duties all to
learn. 1t is Il principle, tacitIy ac,<nowl-
! edged by both parties in thi, State, tina,
one term OF honorable service gives the
/ holder claim to second team But tu
be consistent, the advocates Of the one
term theory should hold, that there should
be a change Of officers in every depart
ment Of government with each election,
and thtt in making nominations, proved
integrity and tried capacity shall count MS
nothing, but give pace 10 the chance Of
doing equally AS well.
II we recognize experience AS claim
in subordinate positions, how much great
er weight it should have in choosing to
FIJI the highest office in the nation. Yet,
we are gIavely told, in the face Of this
truth, and in the face Of precedent> from
the time Of Washington, that because
General Grant has held the Office OF Pres
idsnt for one term, he shou d not be elect
ed to a second. A more ridiculous asser-
ton 10 be set forth As Il national principle
could not well be devised. 1t may be
true that President in office can intrigue
and dispense Official patronage with ii
view OF securing a reelection all the
Presidents, from the time OF Washington
to the present day have had this charge
brought against them. 1t Is equally true
that one in Office could cndeavor, by an
honest, successful administration, to mer-
it reelection, which is justly deemed
the highest pinnacle Of American anbi-
ton. Let US ask in all candor, 1ahich
course OF the two an honest, fair minded
man whom we have once thought worthy
OF our suti'ages, would be most prone to
adopt Z
Grant has been re-nominatcd by the
unanimous voice Of the Republican dele
gates from every State aud Territory
That such would be the case has for some
time been apparent, and the ma'contents
Of the Repubiean partY. thu "rnle on