The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-08-11
G E S A r I S M.
"Why Not Set Up an Empire if
the People Say Sop
The Danger to the Republic Not from Grants
Ambition, bat from King Caucus.
From Harper's Weekly, August 1871

From Harper's Weekly, August 1871
The discussion that Is going on in the newspapers
on the subject of General Grants second re-elec-
tion is at least premature Barely six months OF
his second term have elapsed. 1t will be extraor-
binary II, during the next three years, mems
minds do not DRIFT into new channels and popular
fancy does not crave new idols. Few, indeed, OF
our Presidents have retained their popularity
throughout their first term Of ofice. But two OF
the six who before Grant, were reelected were
ever thought OF for a third term. II Mr.. Lincoln
had lived and carried into successful effect his
scheme Of pacification the question might perhaps
have arisen in his case. But no one thought Of
pressing the name Of either Madison, Monroe, or
Jackson for third nomination. Indeed, 1t has come
to be almost an axiom in party politics that, in the
absence OF such extraordinary qualifications
as were possessed by Lincoln and Grant, the weak
est nomination that can be made is that Of the
President In ONCE. He has not only to contend
against the public belief In the principle OF rota
ton in Office, which may or may not be sound
and wise. but is certainly widespread and Deep
rooted, but however he may have administered
his ofice, he must have displeased five professional
politicians for one he has gratided, and he Is thus
certain to encounter luke warmness II not an ac
tive hostility, among the chiefs OF his party which
command from the Custom House, the Post once
and the Internal Revenue Department On gen.
eral principles, them 1t is worth WHILE at pres
ent, at least, to regard what the newspapers call
'C@sarsm" as practical question. But It may
not be wholly frivolous to look at it for moment
| as matter OF curious speculation.
Nothing In the constitution precludes the re-elec-
ton OF the same to the Presidency for an in
definite number Of terms. In the original draft Of
the constitution the President was elected by Con-
gress for q term Of seven years, and was not
| eligible. In the constitution as amended by the
Grand Committee, and finally adopted, the Presi-
dent is elected by Presidential electors for four
years, and his rights to reelection the same
as those OF other citizens Washington at the close
of his second term appraised his fellow citizens that
| he declined to be considered among the number
| OF those out OF whom the choice Of a Presi-
| dent was to be made" and added that 'the
| acceptance OF and continuance IN the office
| have been q uniform sacrifice Of inclination to
| the opinion OF duty" He evidently considered
| himself eligible, and had his "inclination" been
different would have no objection to a third
| term. Nor did Mr.. Jefferson, when urged to be-
come candidate for the third time by various
bodies OF citizens and by the Legislatures of Yer
mont, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Mary
land, Virginia and Georgia. He declined partly on
the ground of growing infrmities and partly from
Difference to the example set by Washington. In
fact, Mr.. Madisons succession had some time be-
fore been settled between the President and his
supporters. There Is nothing in the writings OF
Jefferson his contemporaries to show that either
he or they thought q third term would have in
vOlved q violation o. the principles OF democracy
or menace to republican institutions. SO far as
the constitution and the opinions OF its trainers
concerned, then, third Presidential term seems
free from objection.
| The bugbear called "Casarism" is rather sheer
than an argument. II the President can be elected
thrice, 1t is said by the ardent patriots who see
coming Caesar in General Grant, why not four, five,
or six times, or for lfeY Why not, indeed, If the
| people say SOP If clear majority OF the people
| vote to abolish the Republic and set up an empire
who shall hinder them2 Shall we, then, go into
| Mysteries in advanced II the people choose to-
morrow to establish Mormonism human sacri
fces we don't see who could say them nay. Yet
our wives and children need not distress them
selves quite yet Before We believe that 10000 900
of people are going to be false to their traditions
and to deny their principles some evidence must
be brought. There must be some facts going to
show change Of mind, some obvious
signs OF a distrust in free institutions
some well-marked indications of lean
ing to monarchy or Imperialism. Now,
the fact is there Is nothing OF the kind, Probably
there never was a time when the general faith in
our institutions was as firm as it Is now 1t would
certainly require something more than the re-elec-
ton OF good magistrate to office to prove its de-
cay. But this ghost OF CGsarism has haunted us
throughout our brief history. Mr.. Jefferson de-
tected 1t in Mr.. Adams well brushed peruke ana
handsome liveries. Frenedus Gazette discovered
1t distinctly in Hamiltons sonorous periods and
foreign "reminiscences. 1t lurked behind Jack
sons imperious commands. Poor jenkins has had
several glimpses OF 1t on the beach at Long
Branch. Washington, with his sterling common
sense, used to say that there were not ten men
worth listening to In all the country who were in
favor Of monarchy. II Cesarism was OF such mi
mute dimensions then, when the Republic was an
experiment. what must Its proportions be now,
when tho United States is one OF the great Powers
of the world, and all Europe Is trying to build
its m0delY
really serious objection to the third term plan
Is the bias 1t would give to the Presidents policy
before and during the canvass. 1t cannot be ex-
pected Of any President that he should be indlfrer
ent to the result OF contest in which he Is the
standard bearer OF his party. In practice the
policy of President, while running for re-elec-
ton, has been too often shaped In order to win
votes rather than serve the best interests of