The Republican journal., 1872-09-12
The One Term Principle.

Although we have inclined to the Opin-
ion that cases are likely to arise in which
the knowledge and experience that an
executive may have acquired in one term,
would be desirable in Il second o1e-still
grave doubts may be entertained whether
the evil resulting from the longing for
second terms, with its consequent schem-
ing, will not overbalance the exceptional
good from its continued legality. The
history of the denomination of Gen. Grant
is instructive on this point He went into
the Presidential chair under 4 pledge that
he would be satisfied with q single term.
Had he been man of honor and strict
integrity he would never have sought q
denomination but he has made the office
so profitable to himself and to a multi
tude of relatives and retainers that it is
to be wondered at that he should eagerly
seek to retain his position. Had he kept
his plighted faith he might have gone
down to history as a tolerably respectable
character. His grave mistakes might
have been regarded as errors of Judge
ment, and even for his gross nepotism
some excuse might have been framed.
But the country has seen mercenary mo-
tives cropping out of each movement
made by him, and it is well understood
that he sought a denomination for pecuni-
airy purposes, and that he is not actuated
by patriotic impulses His more ardent
admirers are forced to admit that his adj
ministration has been one OF which the
country had no reason to be proud.
Had the Republican party been left free
to chose a candidate for the presidency,
Grant would have had no show; but he
found it easy to pack the nominating con-
vention through the agency of the many
thousands of office holders who hold their
positions at his will Before the guillo-
tine, which could take off the head of each
federal officer without moments warn
ing, the whole army of postmasters. col
lectors, assessors, Sc, shiver in terror.
The dependent creatures do not pretend
to have any political opinions of their
own, but all, with one accord, stand ready
to sound the praises OF him who gives
them not only their daily bread, but the
luXures in which many of them are en-
abled to indulge. This army is so well
distributed that there is not city, not
village, not even cross-road, where one
or more OF its members cannot be found.
And each one of these is an active and in
terested political agent. They can con-
troll primary elections, and mould the
sentiment of county conventions The
tools they selected packed the State Con-
ventions which demanded Grants re
nomination, and the creatures chosen by
packed State Conventions packed the Re
publican National Convention so that no
expression untavorable to Grants -nom-
nation could find utterance
Under such circumstances it is not to be
wondered at that the Democratic party
stands ready to indorse the one-term prin-
ciple. Its adoption and insertion in the
Constitution OF the United States will pro
tect the country from many of the evils
which have sprung up under the personal
rule of Grant. Presidents who 90 into
office without hope of being reelected,
will not be tempted to pervert the power
entrusted to them, as Grant has done.
They cannot be induced to engage in in
and will not surrender the patronage of
the government TO the keeping of rooues
who may have sufficient influence to con-
troll primary elections. With the election
OF Horace Greeley, who has been one OF
the Steadiest and most earnest supporters
of the one-term principle, a great and
growing crop Of evils will be cut up by
the roots, and civil service reform will be
inaugurated in all departments of the
federal government
The advantage to be reaped by the peo-
pie in this single field ought to be suffici-
ent to insure the defeat of General Grant.
It IS admitted that he possesses none of
the qualities of a statesman, and there are
few who will claim that he has not already
been very literally rewarded for his ser
vices as a soldier. To re-elect him would
be to entail upon the nation evils which
all the people must feel, and we believe
the masses will refuse to be bound by the
cords which interested otliceholders are
endeavorng to Irvine about them. Some
thing more potent than party drill will be
needed to re-elect Grant.