The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-07-15
G. E S A R I S NJ.
The Project to Overthrow the
Republic.
Further Opinions Of the American Press on
Grants Proposed Third Term

Grants Proposed Third Term.
From Frank Lesle's Illustrated Newspaper
rtnusual attention has lately been called to the
probability OF an EFFORT to elect General Grant TO
third term OF the Presidency. Had the people
really credited the possibility even Of such an
attempt, when 1t was asserted in the canvass OF
last year. he would certainly have had much
smaller majority. But It is the nature OF Ameri-
cans 10 believe implicitly in the permanence OF the
Republic Notwithstanding all the warnings
they have had, OF which the war was the
greatest, and to treat their military heroes as
if they were saints, incapable OF an ambitious
dream. General Grant was anything last year
that his admirers chose to make htm-a modern
Cincinnatus or a second Washington. His military
career atoned for all his civil Mr.. Greeley,
On the other hand, who had during long life OF
temperance, industry and true philanthropy
labored in the cause OF the people, was suddenly
transformed into their enemy and pursued to his
grave by the meanest and cruelest ISLANDERS OF
the age But both the praise and the blame
were 30 extrayagant and unjust that the sound
common sense OF the country begins already to
revise the judgment Of the polls, and the hero
worship OF the soldier declines just as the respect
for the statesman increases.
thus the people are by no means as ready to give
Grant third term as they were to give him
second. There was ilustrous precedent for the
one, there is none for the other. No President
ever held his once for twelve years, but, on the
contrary, Washington, JEFFERSON and other great
leaders OF the Republic warned the people against
the dangers Of the perpetual re-eligiblity Of the
Executive. Lincoln, even in time OF war, held
similar opinions. Jefferson believed 1t would
result in making the office one for life, and after
wards hereditary. Thus, last year the country
was convinced that Grants second term
would be. as q matter OF course, his last
they secuted the idea that he might seek to elect
himself again and treated all who asserted the pos
6ibility OF such scheme idle malicious alarm
lists. That the people do not think 80 now the
present political condition gives sufficient proof
dhe third term question is the question OF the day.
In the first place it must be conceded that there
is no other candidate in the republican party ex-
cepttng Grant. Mr.. Blaine and Mr.. Morton are
vaguely talked about by small factions but the party
Itself has no more present idea Of nominating either
yof them than 1t has OF bestowng the honor upon
George Francis Train. With all their decided
ability. these gentlemen have only remote and
contingent expectations, like distant heirs to o
&property. The great Mr.. Conkling, who would
otherwise have Presidential aspirations sees
this, and fixes his eyes upon the nigh judicial
Beat which Mr.. Chase left vacant, and the bold
General Butler contents himself with visions
of Senatorial splendor. Grant is the man. The
whole army Of politicians look to him as
Aheir leader; he is the open choice OF the Office
holders, to whom third term means continue
tion in place and power. He Is the master OF
the republican party, having put down with an
iron hand every rebellion In its ranks and having
aOrced out OF its councils all who dared to oppose
his WILL He is just as strong now for the third
serm, with the politicians, he last year for
We flv mic fnEa ho 10
much weaker with the people
Those who doubt this. and have so much conf.
dence In Grant that they think he would sternly
refuse q third candidacy and retire. like Cincin-
natus, to his plough, or, like Washington
TO Mount Vernon, should ask themselves II
he has ever refused anything. Has not his
whole career revealed determination to
grasp power and hold it9 We doubt II the
worst OF his predecessors In the Presidency would
have signed bill doubling his own salary, accom-
panied, as the Grant bill was, with the disgraceful
back-pay steal OF Congress. We know that the
great men with whom Grant Is sometimes com.
pared-W ashington, Jefferson. Jackson and Lin.
Coln-would never have violated, as he did, the
spirit OF the constitutional clause which forbids the
increase OF Presidents salary by petty evasion
OF the letter. Nor has Grant ever intimated
the slightest objection to o third term, though be
Is the first President who has been accused Of
u.
nifty OF removing this growing fear Of the country
and indicating his character with q word, but
that word he evidently will not speak until he ia
compelled by public opinion-:hat Is. II public
opinion has compulsory power any longer
Yet IN spite Of this ominous silence OF himself
more alarming because OF the loud advocacy Of the
scheme by his partisans, We hesitate to absolutely
accuse Grant OF design to seize the Presidency by
che aid OF the patronage OF the government and Of
great and wen trained organization. But We do say
shat his actions and lis policy have subjected him
TO the suspicion that he entertains this criminal
project, and that this is beginning to be generally
believed by all parties. SO universal Is this opinion
that 10 the past two weeks even the HERALD, which
has always sustained him, has declared to the
country that the danger exists, and has, in ali
kindness. called upon MIN to destroy 1t. He has
been warned by 1t that to persist would be to earn
LOT himself place IN our history with Burr and
Arnold, as the enemy OF republican institutions.
This is true, but IL Is needless point out
an how many ways third term would threaten the
fabric of American liberty. Where Is the American
who does not know that permanent Executive
and a free democracy cannot exist together, and
who that truly loves his country would let love Of
party persuade hum to sanction the experiments
The NEW YORK HERALD Is greatly worried at the
prospect OF General Grant receiving third Presi-
dental term. That General Grant wants such
term even his friends do not deny; and he has all
the power, prestige and patronage Of the govern
ment to aid him in obtaining it. What Washington,
Jefferson and Jackson did not desire he would have.
so long as he has one sKilul political retainer In
every State, capable OF manipulating Its political
Elements, he is safe IN carrying his estimate Of his
power and his ambition for tenure Of ONCE to any
Extent. Kellogg he thinks, can manage louisiana;
Cameron and HartranH can manage Pennsylvania;
Conkiing can manage New York, and Morton can
manage Indiana We do not doubt, at this dis
rance from the contest for the Presidential success
Zion, that Grant win be renominated. But his re-
domination will seal the tomb OF the republican
Toa,ty Capitalization can have no more alarming