The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1873-07-17


The New York Herald has lately been
gravcIy discussing the question Of Grants
running for q third term, as il there was a
strong probability Of its being attempted.
The Herald would appear to be against it,
vet it is not at all certain that it would not
favor reinforcement in the end. It may be
an experiment, to test the public sentiment,
and to familiarize the public mind to the
novel idea. The Herald thinks there are
large mOneyed interests in this country, not
at all averse to the establishment Of mon
archy or empire, and that many classes Of
men, for various reasons, are prepared for
this change in our form Of government. It
says, that the corruption Of our people is
similar to that existing among the Romans,
when Caesar became Imperator. It would not
do to shock the minds of the masses by
an open, palpable change in the
government suddenly-it must be made
cautiously, and under cover. The name of
a republic must be kept up until the real
change is effected. So it was with Rome.
The Senate was continued for long time,
in name, after its power was really and
wholly abrogated and central despotism
established. The entering wedge to a similar
consummation here would be the reelection
of Grant third time to the Presidency.
There is nothing in the Constitution of the
United States to prevent man from being
reelected again and again, as long as he
may live, and, after a while, the public
mind might be educated into the belief
that it would be better not to have the
trouble and expense of an election at all,
and thus the incumbent would be continued
for life, and it would be easy to arrange
matters for his son or heirs to succeed him.
Good old fashioned people will be
shocked at the ideas of the Herald, which
attempts to show how easily this once
boosted Republic may be changed into an
empire. But what great changes have not
many of us already seen made, which,
twelve or fifteen years ago, we would have
deemed impossible2 That the people of
this country have become corrupted to a
most-alarming extent is undeniable. They
have stood quietly by and witnessed the
Constitution of their fathers violated over
and over, the country put under martial
law and the rule of the bayonet, and a
thousand enormities committed under the
tyrant's plea of necessity. If they
could suffer all this, what may they
not submit to and at last approved We
almost shudder to think of it. That Grant
has it in contemplation to run for third
term, We have scarce a doubt. He and his
friends are certainly feeling their way to
this end. What should be done2 All the
talk everywhere, of union of all good
people to defeat Grant and pat down radi-
calism, without any particular platform Of
principles, is the heighth of folly. This
course will produce general confusion, and
bring about just what we are all so anxious
to prevent. There is only one hope, one
chance. The old democratic trumpet
must be blown all over the land. The
old democratic masses must be reused
and complete organization eff
fected everywhere. Let us set the
example in Texas. Here, wher
united, we are strong and invincible. Let
us do the clean thing here, and have NJ
party, and know ne party, but the good ole
democratic party, pure and undefled
Sound the old trumpet, throw out the ole
banner, inscribed with State rights, stric
construction, revenue tariff, an honest ad
ministration of public affairs, State ana
Matt Aal, and death to all tyrants wh'
would subvert the Republic and reign owe
its ruins. The time for earnest patriotism
has come. No third terms. No centralism
No bayonet rule. No life Presidents. M
empire, and no succession. Forewarned
we should be forearmed.