The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-07-25

against him, and President Grant has
the same party completely in his grasp,
and even the spasmodic outburst OF
the dying democracy of Johnson's fighting
day is succeeded by grave-like stiffness. The
Boston Globe may fail to find in the simple
minded soldier who is our President either
the ''many-sided greatness or "demoniac
nature of Cesar. We must repeat that our
appreciation of President Grant is full of en-
phatc disbelief in any 'demoniac" qualities
in his nature and full of frank faith in his
honesty, patriotism and ability. But because
the way of the Cesar who may come to us
will be one of rose-strewn pleasantness, in
stead of one of battles and broils, it will not
the less be Cesarism-that is, direct, personal,
irresponsible and, at need, iron sway. If
divine honors, with victim-crowned affairs,
''triumphs'' and actual laurels, would not be
offered to an American Imperator it is be-
cause the gods, the affairs, the triumphs and
the laurels are gone irrevocably out of fashion.
They can have their effective modern substi-
tutes even sin barouche at Long Branch. "
We see continual reference in the press,
while discussing this subject to an ''unwrit-
ten law" that no President shall hold Office
for more than two terms-something they
say, having all the force of constitutional
clause. The Roman Church recognizes par
ticularly the weight Of tradition but it is
noticeable that she is apt, where it suits her,
to give these things formally the force Of
dogma. Mr.. Stewards winged cry for
the "higher law" was admired as
a truth or rhetorical figure until
it took earthly form in the fifteenth amend
ment We meet indignant protest OF times in
the republican journals that any, save ''the
sycophantic and the foolish" should suggest
third term for anybody; but all seeking for
the proper preventive against the easy posi-
bility becoming a reality is left to the
democracy-th is, to those who admit their
powerlessness to apply it For the latter rea-
son, at least, it should be given earnest atten-
ton. The Portland Argus of the 18th says-
''Let us have, then, at once, on the assembling
of Congress, an amendment to the constitu-
ton submitted to the States limiting the Office
to one term. It can be done, and it's adop-
ton will be well nigh unanimous" The
New York World, supporting the propo-
sition, condemns ''all attempts to make this o
party question until the republicans in Con-
gress have had o fair opportunity to make it
clear that they will not lend themselves as
accomplices in establishing imperialism on
the ruins of American liberty" 1t is diff
cult to make q man or a party believe that
ruin is ahead when the road is smooth and the
wagon is whirling along without jolt The
republican journals, believing or pretending
that they hold the reins, proclaim themselves
too virtuous to need any protection against the
President, much less against themselves. Does
President Grant, who, in reality, alone guides
the car, believe that he needs no safeguard
against himself or those honey-worded tempt
ers nearest him2 He cannot forget how his
mind was changed regarding second term
he should at least let US know what he thinks
now about o third term, and so leave his fol-
lowers free to act, that there may be no fur
Their danger from subsequent temptation to
himself or those to come after him.
1t has been noted how strongly French ideas
impregnated the founders Of our Republic. If
those ideas soon failed of passing permanently
into fact in France it was because they laid
open the road for Caesar and in q country
where royal glitter had not died from the eye.
In our own broad land the same ideas built q
magnificent nation but though they have
carried us forward century, we discover that
they bring us face to face with the problem Of
Caesar at last ; for if it but depends upon the
moderation of single man, to all pur-
poses is not Caesar here? Montesquieu, who
lived and died long before the Revolution, has
lett us some thoughts upon the Republic
Of the Romans and its fall which, we can
not too well remember. Rapidly he sketches
how the Republic rose in glory and power,
while the healthy stir of parties within her
was constant, while public virtue was
honored, while the law that fitted the in
FAINT State was cautiously remodelled as the
form and the pulse grew stronger. When
laws were subverted by ambition and cor
ruption; when the magnetism of personal
success made all men cling to one; when the
citizens became single herd, easier to be
stampeded than angered; when politics were
forsaken in despair or indifer ence-the
Republic was an easy prey. The one-man
idea was established and only wanted the
man. Caesar came and all was over. Yet
republicans rejoice that the democratic party
is no more, and think that they are free. As
O man moving with the tide and with his face
to the sea is unconscious of motion, the prog
ress to C@sarism has been unnoticeable to
many; but if man with the heart and will of
Caesar stood in the place of President Grant,
how long would we be drifting when might
be said of the tenure even of life, as was
sung of republican Venice in her corrupt
decay,
Tomorrow came the sca1old and the headsman,
Ane he died there by torchght bound and gagged.
Whose name and crime they knew mott