The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-08-27

the example OF Washington, In my opinion, Ii IN
his not having violated the constitution and in not
having usurped any power not confded to him.
The bare fact that man should suffer his name to
be useo as a candidate for third, fourth nth or
tenth time, or that his friends should urge his
reelection to this number OF terms, constitutes no
evidence whatever in my opinion OF Cesarism.
1t Is very imp0rtant-nay, essential-that the
people, II they are truly jealous OF their rights and
liberties, should understand these distinctions.
ATTEMPTS TO sUBvERT THE GOVERNMENT.
REPoRrER-But do you not think the party In
power, who propose to run General Grant, are
aiming to subvert the governments
Mr. srEPHENs-I nave no doubt whatever that
large portion OF the leaders OF the present party In
power have for years been striving for the estab'
lishment of principles which will. II they are sue
cessfu In their efforts inevitably lead to an entire
subversion Of our whole framework OF government.
They are striving for consolidation, which Is but
another word for empire, the end OF which will be
desp0tism In some form or other. But, to prevent
the accomplishment Of this object, their principles
and measures must be assailed before q liberty
loving people and brought into reprobation and
condemnation at the polls just the like measures
and policy OF like leaders were sssailed, exposed
and condemned by the popular vote under the lead
Of Mr.. Jefferson In 1900. The leaders OF the party
now in power can never be arrested In their mis-.
chievous purposes by assalng them upon false or
incorrect issues. The issue that the election Of o
President. loy q third term Is Cesarism and dan.
gerous to the country is Just such an issue. They
may-some OF them-be relying upon tho popu-
iarty of General Grant; but as long as he violates
no law the assaults Of those who would preserve
the liberties OF this country should be aimed at
the authors Of bad laws aud wicked measures, as
well as the principles and policies on which they
are based; and not against the of1cers. high or
low, who execute them In my opinion the saliva
ton and preservation OF tho free institutions
OF this country depend upon the democracy. This
is their high mission, and they will fulfil 1t only by
strictly adhering to and persistently maintaining
the principles Of the constitution, and not in fol-
lowing the lead OF malcontent republicans who
have fallen out with General Grant. do not think
the bare candidacy of General Grant or his cleo
ton third time Is in itself any moro threatening
or dangerous to the liberties Of the country than
his past two elections.
ADVICE TO THE DEMOCRATS.
REPoRTER-Do you think it Is possible for the
democratic party, in the next election, to defeat
General Grant as the candidate Of the republican
partys
Mr.. STEPHENs-I think the principles OF the de.
mocratic party as announced by Mr.. Jefferson, are
stronger with the people Of the United States than
any man who may stand In opposition to them. I
have no idea whether General Grant will be the
next candidate Of the republican party or not, nor
whether he would suffer his name to be used as o
candidate for Q third term or not have been
speaking Of abstract principles only but one thing
do feel assured Off the democratic party
abandon the maintenance OF their own principles
and join the macontent republican leaders to beat
General Grant, upon the issue Of C2sarism, because
of his running THIRD time, and the present party
in power should run him upon that ISSUE he would
be more trumphantly elected than he was In the
last race; because, as the issue would then be
presented there would be no ground upon which
o successful assault could be made The success Of
the democracy the DEM cratic party in the next
election for President, as In the last will depend
upon the issues they present in the canvass. The
great majority OF the people OF the United States
are, in my opinion. as truly devoted to the pnci.
ples..ol constitutional liberty under our federal
system as their ancestors were and when these
principles are distinctly set forth and boldly main
tanned BY patriotic interrupted and incorruptible
leaders they will not foil to be sustained at the bal
lot box. What turn the next Presidential election
will take is yet among the greatest uncertainties Of
the future but II the real perils OF the liberties
OF the country are to be put In issue, as
they should be, then principles would be made to
override all considerations relating barely to en-
or the small matter OF rotation in ONCE and a
scramble for spells and plumber; but when such
small issues as these presented the great body
OF the people have but little interest in the result
and take quite as little in the contest This was
the case in the last election and 1T will be again as
long as the experiment is tried.
Thus ended our conversation which was pleas
ant, Mr.. Stephens most Of the time sitting on Q
chair but portion Of the time reclining upon the
bed in his room. His voice ana lung power still
retain their ancient clear, ringing penetration,
and he has the burning eloquence Of yore. With
thanks took my leave, and. as retired, found
nearly dozen prominent gentlemen waiting to
nav their reSpect9.