Buchanan County bulletin. [volume] (Independence, Iowa) 1869-1891, 1872-04-05
EXCLUSION DETRIMENTAL.

| EXCLUSION DETRIMENTAL.
There are times in the history .
nations when the public services %
certain individuals have seemed in
dispcnsablc to the public welfare O.
even to the national existence. Mel
seem sometimes raised up, as b,
Providence, for great emergency
If we turn backward but q few
pages in our history we find Girls
is where no man can estimate tn
detriment, nay, the danger tina
might have resulted had this pro
posed amendment then been il
force. Who now fails to recognize
in the political triumph which re
tanned Mr.. Lincoln in the Presi
dency, a greater victory for our ma
tional unity and life than any hither
to achieved by our valorous broth
ers upon the field Of mortal com
bat?
The time may come to Amcric:
when she cannot afford to absolute
ly exclude some particular man, who
may have demonstrated his ability
and worth, from the executive ser
vice of the country. Let the indis
tinct speck, barely observable upor
our political horizon eastward, de
velop into an overshadowing
threatening war cloud, and who
doubts to whom the people of Ameri
ca would instantly turn with i'm
ploring eyes and confident hearts
for second dclivcrencc from the
terrible ordeal of war? How un'
wise, then, would be a constitution
al provision which would prevent
the people of this Republic from
recalling to the highest station Of
public duty that man who might be
in their opinion best suited to the
exigencies and circumstances of the
nation. ...
LIMITATION RECOGNIZED.
If, sir, have intimated that this
proposed amendment has received
no Endorsement at all by any por'
ton of the people of this country, ]
must beg permission to correct it
1t was one of the provisions of the
constitution of that abortive govern
ment which happily sank into an
early grave, ''unwept, unhonored
and unsung." In confederacy
sought to be established for the per
petuation of a system ofinvoluntary
servitude, which denied the rights
Of man to millions of the human
race, it was eminently proper tina,
its fundamental law should also disa
BILE its people as to an unrestricted
selection of their own chief magis
trate. Who regrets if its fruitlcss
attempt at dominion has succeeded
in carrying with itself upon brie'
page of history compulsory one
term Presidency as a distinctive
feature of "the lost causc?'
POLITICAL EFFECT.
One cannot fail to observe til,
manifest intent of some within an6
without these Halls who are urging
the consideration of this subject t.
affect the probability Of success o
a certain candidate in the approach
ing Republican convention and il
the ensuing presidential campaign
For myself, sir, recognizing tina
this amendment affects not simpl,
a present candidate or an immedi
ate election, but that if adopted i
will affect parties, candidates, cam
paigns, and elections by the peopl
for the entire future Of the Repub
lie, I have Intentionally left all in
dorsement and laudation Of the pre-
sent Administration, however wei
deserved, to those who seem to cor
slider it a most delectable thing t
bask in the sunshine Of administra
tive favor, as also all possible crit
cism to those who seem SO sedulou
sly to chew the cud Of jealous dis
content, and have sought, rather
sincerely and earnestly to examin
this proposition in its deeper, broad
er, higher significance as affecting
the strength and durability of GU
free institutions and the privilege
of the people Past amendment
have enlarged those privileges
never abridged them.
| CONCLUSION.
If this amendment be called 70
by the people themselves; if it b
necessary for the continued securit
Of Government; if it be just to tn
officer and to the public; if it wi
be salutary in its permanent oper;
ton, it is our duty to adopt and pre-
pose it to the several States. Wit
careful consideration, l find n
favorable response to either ofthes
inquiries when applied to this pr,
position. 1t is right to lay the han
of reformation upon wise fabric c
fundamental law when the exper
ence of the past unites with tn
wisdom of the present in firm assul
ance of better and safer govern
mental guidance for the future
Then, and only then.
1t is our good fortune, Mr.. Speal
or, to exist under a Government
which now, in the main, answers a
the great ends for which Govern
ments were instituted. With
these latter years we can in trut
speak Of our country as
"a great land of earth and stone and tre'
Where breathes no castled lord no
cabined slave:
Where thoughts and tongues and hand
are free.
And friends will find a welcome, foes
grave"
land whose hills and valleys, twic
redeemed by worthy sires and nc
unworthy sons, are doubly consecrs
ted to liberty; a land possessed b
men who have proven their abilit
to abide by and to enforce the vita
principle Of a republic-the will c
the majority constitutionally G,
pressed. They will not consent t
hold their rights in charity, nor wi