The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-08-18


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IRON the Fttsburg Pa.) Gazette-repubucan-
August 1871
We are disposed to compliment the energy and
enthusiasm displayed by the democratic press led
by the NEW YORK HERALD, In discussing the proba-
bilities OF General Grant being again nominated
the Presidency and the influence Of Q third term
on the welfare and prosperity OF the country. so
far as the question Is linked with the Presidents
name there il no value In 1t. We have heretofore
expressed our view OF the fact In the CASE which Is
that the nomination Of President Grant for third
term is wholly question for the future. At the
present 1t has no validity at all. We do not for
moment believe that either he, or any one for him,
Is intriguing for the nomination. We have
reason to think that his inolinatlons do not
lead him to desire another term OF once,
and that he has even q definite wish as to
who shall be his successor. He has no
need, for his own sake, third term. He is pos
sessed OF a competency, has all the honor that can
be gained BY ofical position and can AFFORD to re-
tire from the tumult OF public life to the quiet and
ease OF his own home. We do not, therefore, at
tach the slightest Importance to the discussion Il
has its origin In the desire Of certain Journals to
create sensation, and aside from this has no
present value.
This aside, and the right OF the people to select
given person to I'LL the Presidential ONCE and con.
tinue him for third term is undeniabe. No one
pretends to dispute this 1t Is, then simply
question of expediency In this, the only practical
view OF the case, the subject Is not designed to
bear on the question in its reference to President
Grant SO far as heis concerned two years at least
must elapse before it VIII be possible to clearly de-
rermine his availability for third term.
Within that period it Is possible for him
tn mt arIv doat hta ho
may die Whatever may be the plannings or
schemings OF politicians we do not believe that
the people will for moment be induced to seri-
ously consider his candidacy within the time men
TONED. II, when the necessity is upon them for
selecting President for another term, President
Grant Is brought forward we have no doubt that
the merits Of the entire question will be fairly
considered In the light of existing circumstances.
In any event the people will assert their right to
do as they may think best.
Looking at the subject, then, abstractly, without
reference to President Grant, we believe the cur
rent sentiment among the people to be this-We
need and must have solid, stable, reliable ad
ministration OF the government and this is of
vastly more consequence than the individual who
administers 1t or the number OF terms he
may hold Office. Unfortunately we have no prece-
dents on this subject that can be appealed to for
light. A third term was rendered to General
Washington, 80 Ear this could be done by the
ton of several State Legislatures. He refused and
was succeeded by Jefferson, undoubtedly one Of the
best Presidents the country ever had This, so far
as 1t goes may stand as precedent for one phase
of this question. On the other hand, the demo-
cratic party, during score OF years, practically
adopted the policy OF giving to one man but one
term in the Presidential office. 1t Is notOrousy
true that every one of the persons elected under
this system was VIGOROUSLY unfit to administer
that high ONCE. So far as our experience In this
particular is worth anything it is fatty against the
0ne-term theory. Again, the republican party has,
since It's accession to power, bestowed second
term on each OF its Presidents, and no one Sc
rously regrets It, Both were worthy the honor
bestowed.
That q third term OF ONCE, bestowed on any one
person, endangers the liberties OF the people is in
the highest degree absurd. Roman politics were
corrupt to rottenness before C@sars day. What
ever MINOR corruptions there may be in American
politics, those who are conversant with political
affairs know that Lincoln and Grant were the cam
ddates Of the people. There was no essential cor
rupti0n attending their elections, or II there was
1t was entirely unnecessary, as there were suf-
dcient honest votes cast in their favor to elect
them so long as the people are not generally
rupted, and exert their proper influence In the
ecicCsiou vi fIcslueuLl6l c1nulOdteS, anu 50 long
as our army ID small and scattered our liberties
are not endangered by the number OF terms
President may hold. On the contrary. the welfare
Of the people is apt to be promoted-as the selec-
ton OF candidate for Q third term Is likely to be
more than else an Indictment to continued well
doing
Thus far the people Of this country have been
generally fortunate in their dealing with the Presi
dent question. II, through partisanship, unworthy
or ineffective men reached the ONCE, they were
allowed but single term OF power. When per-
sons worthy Of confidence have reached the Presi-
dency they have been hOnored with second term.
The constitution leaves this Office with the people.
Up TO the present no limitations have been placed
on their choice. The country has done well; we
have no threatening dangers and we imagine that
there is no need OF dtstrusting the people as yet.
II q person were disposed to enact the role Of
Caesar he could do it quite as readily with only
single term of ONCE at his disposal as with dozen.
Napoeon's coup d'etdt was developed when he had
filed the Presidency In France but four years On
the contrary, the fact OF person having o chance
for reelection, should he maintain his popularity
Is an incentive to faithfulness in once.
But, while thus referring to this subject, we
again say that it Is utterly absurd to link President
Grants name with 1t. Our belief is that he prefers
to retire and permit Washburne to succeed him.
But whether this be so or not, the entire question
belongs to the people, They have the right to dis
pose Of the Presidential ONCE, and when the
proper time arrives their desires will be made
known and their wishes enforced. II We are in
any danger Of having liberties subvertea 1t Is
more through the extension OF ofices, the multi
plication of government patronage, than in the
disposal Of the Presidential of1ce. And In this tae
evil is less in the concentration Of power in the
hands Of the government than the dissemination
OF desire for office among the people. But the
tendency Of President Grants administration has
been to repress this propensity by establishing the
competitive system and perpetuity in the appoint
i've officers during efficiency and good behavior.
Altogether, we conclude we are in little danger Of
"Casarism" just yet.