National Republican., 1874-07-04

TIE Brooklyn Union discusses the question
of a third term as follows: 1.-THE only anxiety
| felt on the question Of third term appears to
be confined to the members Of the Democratic
party. The question is an appalling one TO the
Democracy, as it well might be. The Demo
cratic party was violently opposed to permit
ting General Grant having even one term; and
to prevent his election for 8 second term It was
willing to compromise all its principles, and
to cut itself of from its traditions by nOmi-
mating as its candidate its greatest and most
detested antagonist. Naturally enough the
party that has been twice defeated by Grant
fears defeat q third time by the power Of his
name. The organs of the Democracy are all
of one mind on the subject. They profess to
believe that his nomination for q third term
would be certain defeat to him and ruin to the
Republican party. But If they really thought
50 they would be delighted rather than dis
mayed at the proposition. The subject has
not vet been agitated among Republicans,
and is not likely to be for two years to come.
When the next Presidential convention
shall meet it may, or it may not, be
q subject Of controversy. At present the ques-
ton has not entered into any political discus
sion except among the Democrats, who will
have no influence, let them say what they may,
among Republicans. Harper's Weekly has
mentioned the subject in its mild way, and very
properly says: the argument against third
term is really an argument against the re-eli-
gi5iliLy of the President And that is precise
ly where the weakness of the argument against
third term lies. Those who oppose . third
term should, for consIstency's sake, also oppose
second term, as Mr.. Greeley did, although he
advocated the reelection Of Mr.. Lincoln, which
Hdrpcr's Weekly justihes. There are really
fewer objections to q third term than 70 q sec
ond term. The only plausible objection to a
third term is the weak one Of usage. But
there were very good reasons for not nomina-
ting for third term any Of the Presidents who
served second term which have no force now.
Jefferson might have been reelected, and so
might jackson, but they we're toe old, and they
preferred retirement, and so may Gen. Grant.
He has not made any declaration of his wishes,
nor have any of his friends spoken for him.
The whole subject lies in the future and no
goo1 can result from an agitation Of it now.
ECb,per'S Weekly concludes its moderate dis
cussion of the topic by saying: I'VE have no
fear that Gen. Grant proposes to make him
self an Emperor or Pope; but it should be
we'll understood before any plans are laid that
there would be general and decisive uprising
of the people against any serious suggestion of
third term How does Harpr's Weekly
know thatl 1t must have gained its opinion
on the subject from the Democratic papers,
for there has been no expression of opinion
elsewhere, except in the New York Ledger.
There are a good many people who have a
right to be heard upon the subject who have
not yet felt it incumbent upon them to speak,
and it will be we'll, before predicting general
uprising of the people, to wait and watch for
what the people have to say about it."