The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-09-03
Views Of c. NJ. Conrad, Ex-Secretary Of War
and EX-Rebel.
THE DANGER OF A THIRD TERM.
|'Republics Rarely Foresee Misfortunes in
Time to Avoid Them.''
JEFF DAVIS DENOUNCED.
WHITE SULPHUR SPRINGS,
Greenbrier county, West Va.

istered the government OF the Old Dominion with
such distinguished ability, satisfaction TO the peo
pie and with such credit to himself that there is at
present q strong and popular disposition to reward
him with the United States Senatorsh!p to succeed
John F.. Lewis In 1874. found the Governor taxing
II easy in an arm chair, at his rooms MS feet rest
ing In true American style, on another chair was
cordially received, and after a few commonplace
remarks opened the conversation.
OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES is your opinion OF the
HERALD's discussion OF C@sarsmy
Governor WALKER-I think it will be productive
OF great good. Any discussion which arouses the
attention OF the people, and warns them OF dangers
Impending, must necessarily prove beneficial. 1t
Is the "ounce OF prevention"
CORREspoNDENT-Do you believe the republican
party will nominate and elect General Grant?
CoRaEspoNpENT-in your estimation, is there
any real danger OF the establishment Oh despotlsm
or empireS
CONFIDENCE IN THE FREEDoMLovINd AND INDE-
PENDENT SPIRIT
Of the Anglo-Saxon race. 1t never has and never
will submit to tyranny or despotism OF any charac-
1Ur ANY or n the ~ nre;ence
dangers, 1t has at times permitted Entertainments
upon its liberties; but by revolution or other means
they were ere long reasserted and indicated and
30 It will be in the future. What the HERALD styles
s'Cesarsm" is and will be impossible In America
70 long as the Ango-Saxon element predominates.
GRANT NO CESAR.
Characterization what you know Of Gen.
Iral Grant do you believe he is ambitious enough
aspire to dictatorship or to assume the role OF
CesarG
Governor wALKER-No; have no doubt there
are those in his party and about him who would
advise him to such q step II place and power could
thereby he assured them, but these numbers are
to attempt such role. / have heartily approved
some acts of his administration, and as heartily
condemned Others. He has made grave mistakes
but have been charitable enough to believe that
his greatest errors were more the result OF the bad
advice given him than OF his own inherent detects
Of judgment and conscience. In other WORDS, I
believe that II General Grant would oftener act
upon the dictates OF his own head and heart, he
would commit fewer mistakes He could not play
the role of despot In this country II he would,
and, think, he has the sense to see it; nor do /
believe he has ever seriously contemplated 1t.
Views OF Ex-Secretary OF War Conrad.
Q. M. Conrad, formerly Of Louisiana, now OF vir
yinia, an ex-Secretary Of War OF the United States
and ex-member Of both the Federal and Confed-
crate Congresses, arrived here to-day, and being
called upon by HERALD representative agreed to
give his views on the subject OF C@sarism.
CoRREsPONDENT-What are your ideas OF the pro-
posed third term Tor General Grant, and OF the dis
russion on that subject recently published in the
NEW YORK HERALD and other newspapers
Mr.. CONRAD-I have read the articles In the
HERALD to which you refer, but having seen
nothing to induce me 10 believe that General
Grant or his friends desired his reelection have
paid very little attention to the subject.
OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES General Grant disre-
gard the precedent set by Washington, and OBJ
served by his successors, and have himself elected
Tor q third term, do you consider that would be
step towards Casarism?
Mr.. C0NRAD-If such an attempt should be made,
and be successful, it would certainly be very un-
fortunate event. 1t has long been subject OF re-
gret that the President was not restricted by the
constitution to single term, If the duration
Of the term had been made longer. 1t has long
been obvious to all who have attentively
observed the workings OF the government,
that its action, even in regard to important
matters, has frequently been influenced by the
DESIRE OF THE PRESIDENT TO SECURE HIS RE.
ELECTION
with the aid of party, backed by the immense
patronage at his disposal and the vast expendi-
lures OF the government, will always be an easy
task. In fact, when man Is once in possession OF
the Office he can convert 1t into stronghold from
which it is difficult TO dslodgc him. Unless, there
fore. some limit Is prescribed to this occupation
either by the organic law or by public opinion as
imperative as q law, an INSCRIPTIONS President
could generally prolong his term OF odice to last for
life. In this way the government would degene-
rate into tnat worst of all forms OF government,
AN ELECTIVE MONARCHY.
The mischievous tendency OF such system was
ioreseen by General washington and he declined
a reelection. His successors have initiated that
example oil self-abnegation, and the limitation Of
the President to two terms may now be said to be
part OF the unwritten law OF the land. l will
not ailrm that departure from this usage would
be step towards empire, put no one will deny
that taken in connection with the increased
patronage OF the President, the practice how
rewarding not public, but purely political services,
together with the increased influence exercised OF
late years by the Executive over the legislative
branch OF the government, such departure would
form dangerous precedent.
CORRESPONDENCE General Grant could success
fully establish an empire, Is 1t your opinion that
the people OF the North would submit to the loss OF
their liberties, and how would the southern people
Mr.. CoNRAD-f have not sufficient opportunity to
Judge OF the temper and feeling OF the Northern
people to form an opinion as to what their action
would be in the probable contingency TO which
you REFER / must say, however, do not be-
iieve the time has come IL 1t ever shall come, when
With regard to the people OF the SOUTH can speak
with more assurance. You are aware that lor many
by many OF their most trusted leaders and states
men that the federal government was rapidly tend
Ing towards consolidation ana
CENTRAL DEsPoTIsM.
THIS opinion became very prevalent among them,
considered their constitutional rights, they made
one desperate effort They failed IN that EFFORT,
nnimagined calamities, but have been reved and
treated as criminals; they have, therefore. had
enough Of resistance to government; they have
had no reason OF late 10 consider the present
form OF government as peculiarly fruitful Of bless
ings to themselves; nevertheless, many OF them
which they have long cherished, but believing that
any effort on their part to prevent such event
would only hasten its accomplishment, they
would hesitate to interfere. ON the other
hand, several OF those States would welcome almost
any government In exchange for the ignorant, cor
rupt and rapacous mobs called Legislatures, TO
which they are now subjected. My opinion. there.
FORE Is that II the con tngency you mention should
occur, that the Southern states would be content
to leave the destinies OF the Republic in the bands
where they now are-those OF the Nor!hern
ns e M ss s%s as or
! one else at Its head they would encounter
BUT LITTLE OR NO RESISTANCE AT THE SOUTH.
CoRREsPoNDENT-Do you see no prospect IN the
luture or return 10 the ancient constitutional
tRhts and doctrines OF the founders OF the RepuD-
and II so, In what way9
Mr.. CoNRAD-u there be a practicable remedy for
evls OF the times IT requires wiser head
nine TO discover It, In my opinion but
W II IS an Questionable one) universal Suffrage,
inch our government has been changed from
<epuDnc 10 pure democracy Is responsible for
much he fho hovv