The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1872-02-08
Communicated.
The One Term Principle.

The One Term Principle.
1t is evident that Senator Sumner
does not desire the reelection of Presi-
dent Grant. This is not at all strange,
and we have no reason to question his
patriotism or his integrity on that ac-
count. 1t is his privilege to express his
own opinion with all freedom; and if he
thinks the Presidents reelection would
be injurious to the country, it is not only
his privilege but his duty to oppose it.
We will say this for Mr.. Sumner, even
thorgi Grant were already before the
country as the Republican nominee; for
arty ties should not bind any man to
do what he thinks evil for the country.
1t is expected, under our form of gov
ernment, that every citizen will use his
legitimate influence to promote the
election Of such men as will, in his
judgment, best fulfil their public trusts,
and, of course, to oppose the election OF
such as he deems either incompetent or
unfaithiul.
But when it is gravcly proposed to
amend the constitution so that the
President shall be Ineligible for a sec
ond term, it becomes different matter.
Against this proposition we enter our
most earnest and indignant protest; for
it carries in it confession that our Re-
publican government has miserably fail
ed. 1t may be that we shall fail. 1t
may be that the American people
have not intelligence and virtue enough
to preserve our free institutions. But
this remains to be proved; and mean
while we resent the insinuation that the
people of the United States can be
bought p By executive patronage.
When it comes to that, it will be time to
despair of the Republic.
If the people are competent to choose
a President at all, they are certainly
competent to decide between a man who
has served term in that capacity and
auother who might be willing or de-
sirious to succeed him. They might err
in thinking it better to continue man
whose administration, though not fault
less, had been generally acceptable, than
to try a new candidate who miyht be au
improvement; but the danger of mistake
would be no greater than between two
candidates both untried. And on the
other hand, if President were disposed
to abuse his official influence, it might
as we'll be done in favor of another as
himself. So that the proposed amend
ment, so far from being any safeguard
against corruption, would rather tend tc
promote it; for it would be saying, by
implication, I'VE do not erpect a Presi
dent to be honest ard that would di.
rectly tend to make him thief. Every
way the movement is bad one, and if
as we suspect, its whole animus is oppo
sition to Grant, it is reprehensible or
another account.
If the people do not wish Gen, Grant
for President another term, it is the
easiest thing in the world to say so
And if they do prefer him to any of tht
distinguished gentlemen who would like
to take his place, they will not thank
anybody for insinuating that they have
been influenced by improper motives
They can judge whether Presiden
has been seeking his private interes
rather than the public good, just al
we'll as they can form the same judg
ment respecting members of Congress
and other public servants. We hope
the people will show that they can appl.
"thc one term principle" whenever i
may be needed, without an amendmen
of the constitution. And we hope the,
will never reIinquish the power to choos
President or a Senator for as man
terms as they .hink will be for The pub
lie good.
We do not say these things becaus
we favor The reelection of Presiden
Grant. On the contrary, we should de
cidedly prefer some other man. Bu
we are not willing, even by silence,
help ruin the government just beeaus
VIC cannot have our own way. ~