The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-07-29
c he s A R l s M i.
Further Comments of the Party Jour-
mails on tho Third Term
Conspiracy.


beginning to be discussed with alarming serious
ness. We had somehow gotten the impression that
such thing was UNCONSTITUTIONAL and that to at
tempt IL would be revolution OF the very worst
type; but upon carefully searching that instrument
We fnd that there Is no prohibition, and that Pres
ident Grant can be elected to the third, fourth or
twentieth term for all the constitution has to say
on the subject, and that the only barrier which
presents itself IL the all-prevang custom against
IL. 1t Is refreshing to think that the Fourth day
OF July, Ammo DOmini eighteen hundred and sew
enty-six we, as nation, meet at Philadelphia to
celebrate the centennial anniversary of our ma
tional independence as q Republic, and that some
three months later we viii meet ct the ballot box
to elect Grant for the third term or for life.
From the Demopolis (Ala) News-Journal, July 1911
The NEW YORK HERALD has recently contained
o series Of four mastery editorials the subject
of CGsarism in America, in which it Is argued that
Capitalization and autOcracY are the great danger
OF the hour These able leaders would have carried
more weight with them but for the HERALp's
irresistible tendency to fatter and truckle to
Grant. Casarism is but another name for Grant
sm and the plea that the President is the only pure
man among a legion of Official thieves is but
another version Of that maxim Of despotism, that
the king can do no wrong. II leading
Journals are honest and earnest in their efforts to
save the Republic let them attack the evils OF
centrasm and corruption at their fountain head.
The HERALD Justly asserts that General Grant holds
the liberties Of the nation in his hands, Is he not
then the cause Of all our woes, and does he not
sustain and give power to the usurpations OF State
governments and all the vile cOrruptions that are
destroying the country Grant is responsible for
all the ills suffered by the people, and powerful
journals should concentrate their thunders upon
osoin
From the Kansas City (MO) Times (democratlc),
July 2O.)
Although out few months have elapsed since
Grant was indicted into office, the subject Of his
reelection for third term has already become the
leading topic OF discussion among metropolitan
journals and the press Of the States. The ques-
ton possesses deep, not to say portentOus signf
canoe, it being the first time such proposition
has ever been presented to the consideration OF
the American people, all Presidential terms here
toore having been limited to two. This third
term agitation, therefore, has no prece
dent in our political history and no sup
port from examples OF former Presidents and
no express sanction by the constitution. The radi
Gals, however, having Overleaped all barriers and
precedens in their eager scramble for the spois, do
not hesitate to make the constitution Procrustan
bed adapted to the length and breadth of their
wishes and desires. From Indications the advo-
Gates of this third term business are increasing,
Simon Cameron, Of Pennsylvania, has recently an
nounced himself in favor OF 1t, and other radicals,
who feel that it Is the surcst means of their re-
tanning power. are yielding their support.
We're the test to be made now the
mass of radicals, in so far ~ individual pref
erences go, would probably oppose it. and would
favor the selection of some other than the present
incumbent. But the rank and file will likely not
decide the matter. If Grant should consent to run
for the third term succession although 1t might be,
! as the HERALD suggests, leap from the Tarpeian
| Rock, his candidacy might not be successfully OPP
posed From present appearances, the conclusion
seems to be pretty well arrived at, that II Grant
wishes to be candidate and the otiice-holders
will 1t, and the party leaders will 1t, the rank and
| file will have to submit to the dangerous prece.
dent, whatever may be their private views and
preferences in the premises.
| From the Steubenville (Oho) Journal republican,
| July 81
It is alleged by the Presidents friends at Wash
Dgton, that the report Is not alone in the magina-
ton of his opponents. The unexpected warnings
which have recently been given by the HERALD
are significant, for that Is not journal much
given to theory, and 1t has always been friendly to
the President. In several able articles it has
Rrappleu VIII question as DelIlR Vi
and vital Importance, and has taken the true side.
The election OF to the highest Office In the
gift Of our nation three consecutive terms, for
twelve years. would be positive evidence to the
world that republican institutions after o
century had proven failure in America. When
ever any man, however eminent or patriotic or
gifted, becomes necessary to our government,
then are we no longer capable OF self-government.
The time is coming when we must consider gravely
this whole question OF the Presidential ofIice-the
attributes OF the ofce its prerogatives and posi-
bilities its everncreasing power ana splendOr,
the yearnlng Of cultivated and wealthy society
for court honors and the attractions Of a court
life. A long lease OF power bcgets a dangerous
arstocracy that is fatal, If let grow, to the prin-
cipes of free government. You will answer
probably that the common sense of
the people would be sufficient to prevent
this attempt SO it was thought in 'GO
that the common sense OF the people would pre-
vent the attempted dissolution OF the Union. Who
would dare attempt 1t Many were found who
would and did. The dangers OF third term sys-
ten do not stop there third term paves the
way for longer lease ofpower, as has been known
to the world IN the political history Of France,
where the people elect President for ten years,
and then transform him into monarch. The idea
OF third term must be made odious, the attempt
to execute it, infamous. This talked OF
third term Is admitted by the Presidents
friends. The politicians, Of course, will sup
port the scheme Of q third term. The great army
OF the oilce.holders, who last Fall used their
enormous influence for Grant, In order to keep
their places and revenues can be as completely
depended upon in 1875 as In 1872. The industry OF
politics will not willingly surrender its occupation
and hence there is not one ofnceholder in the
country who would dare to say publicly that third
term for Grant would be o crime against the ma
ton and dangerous precedent to establish or
even encourage. 1t remains for the President to
publicly deny this assertion from his friends, II he
retain the enviabe record Of his public life. not.
and the third term prove to be reality, the danger
threatened to our republican institutions should
be boldly grapped and opposed by the millions,