Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1872-05-30
WHEN GRANT FAVORED THE ONE
TERM FRTNCVPLE


When Andrew johnson was President,
Gen. Grant was In favor of the one-term
principle so far as regards the Presidential
Office. Three witnesses, at least, publicly
testify to the fact. One is ex-Congressman
]. B. Grinnell, tor many years leading
Republican OF Iowa. This gentleman
wrote letter few weeks ago in favor Of
the one-term principle, and in opposition to
the denomination of Grant. In that letter,
which caused much comment at the West,
Mr.. Grinnell afirms that when Mr.. johnson
was President: Gen. Grant expressed
himself decidedly in favor of the oue-term
principle. -.-
The second witness is Mr.. Geo. Wilkes,
editor of the New York Spirit Of the Times.
In an editorial in which he gave an account
of a meeting of prominent Republicans OPP
posed to Grant, and their adoption Of the
one-term principle as the "cutting edge" OF
their platform, he also referred to reasons
justifying this course, and gave testimony
in regard to the ''solemn pledge, as he con-
sidered it, which Gen. Grant made that he
would not aspire to a second term, as an
especial justification on bis part in opposing
him. We quote from his article as follows :
ave need not, at this point pause to de-
velop the reasons why this course of action
has been decided upon by the patriotic
portion of great and victorious party. 1t
is sufficient that they regard Gen. Grant as
an ignorant and incompetent man, gov
erned by gross instincts, disdainful of the
law, using his high Office as if it were a
personal possession, and inspired by aspi-
rations which are represented rather by the
sword, than by the obligations of the oath
under which be took his office; in short, a
mere adventurer, who, soldier-like, only
embraced the Republican faith because he
saw success within its ranks.
"The editor of this paper desires to say
for himself that, while he shares the gen.
eral motives which actuate the other Re-
publicans alluded to in the premises, he
feels that he has special justification in re-
sisting the candidacy Of Gen. Grant for a
second term of Office. The justification
may be found in the facts-frst, that the
editor of this paper has been for many years
an earnest advocate Of an amendment to
the constitution, prohibiting any person
from holding the Presidential Office for
more than a single term; and next, be-
cause Gen. Grant, in conversation with
him, two days before his nomination at
Chicago, pledged himself formally to the
same principle, by declaring it to be bis
conviction
"sThat the liberties of this country could
not be maintained without a One-Term
Amendment to the Constitution, and such
a Civil Service Bill as would enable the
President to retain good men in office
This was said to the writer during one
of those interviews, through which be had
restored friendly relations between Gen.
Grant and Gen. Butler, and was printed
shortly afJerward 10 The Spirit of the Times,
and reprinted during bis friendly personal
intercourse with Gen. Grant, without OBJ
lection on his part, or cavil on the part of
any of his friends.
"This declaration by Gen. Grant, printed
at such time, in journal of which he was
VIGOROUSLY faithful reader, may be fairly
taken as a deliberate promise that he would
not aspire to fhe hOnors of a seeond term:
nav, that he would hold it criminal to do so;
and may be regarded, also, as a solemn
pledge to the whole country to the same eff
feet. In organizing a political opposition,
therefore, to Gen. Grants candidacy for a
second term, we naturally direct ourselves
to the first salient ground of opposition, to
wit, to demand that Gen. Grant shall keep
his word-not only because a man ought
always to keep his word, but, because, in
this instance, it is necessary to the liberties
of his country that he should do So"
The third witness is Col. John W. For
ney. The Washington Chronicle, of which
he was editor, contained the following in its
issue of July IA, 1868:
az et not Congress adjourn without pass
ing the one term amendment to the Consti-
tuition. There has never been so favorable
an opportunity. All parties are in favor OF
it. The present incumbent Of the Presi-
DENTAL office has no inducement to oppose
it. Nobody's sensibilities can be offended
by it. 1t can not be charged as a party
movement, intended to head off an Obnox-
ious President. Gen. Grant Is an .fdUOr Of
IL. The party which supports Gen. Grant
demands it, and, above all else, public
morality calls for it. Let US never
again witness the utter debasement
of the Presidential Office by the
efforts to the incumbent to secure second
term. The second term makes the first a
period Of Chicanery. 1t is the fertile germ
Of Executive Policy" and brings forth a
fearful crop of treachery and lies. 1t is the
fomenter Of divisions between the depart
ments and the inducer of Executive usur-
pations. 1t is a constant peril to the liberties
of the country. Not man or party in
the country, worth counseling with, wishes
the President to be eligible to reelection. |
If the opportunity is lost, and we wait |
until after the next Presidential |
election, we shall run coun- |
ter to some supposed personal or
party interest in re-opening this subject.