The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1874-07-27
rhe Third Term.

It IL really cdifying to see the various
views that have been presented by the press
and nub,,c men concerning the third term.
IA the comet was looked upon In ola times
many consider It dangerous. II IL put DC
seriously talked OF It's effects will oe da'n-
aging Us IT was supposed the tail OF tne COME
would be IL it should strike the eaf'n. : Nc
poston Advertiser. thinks 1t would be unWlse
IN hold conversation aboutit. II advises tna'
no man shall speak to it, as the best way 10
put it down.
That is going too far. We do not remem.
her that superstitious people ever oei'ereo
tina, we co,ld be rid of wicked being by
disreyardiog I. altogether. People one time
and another have had very decorous names
for the devil, and there have been forms for
exercising sold clorie," but we never
heard OF his being ignored altogether. The
brave HAMLET thought the only way to deal
with ghost, be it " minister Of health
or "goblin damned" was TO speak 10 II.
Our Boston contemporary takes different
view. and thinks that not to speak at all about
the third term will cause it TO flicker out like
q flame il the socket.
We rather think the third term is not SO
easily disposed of. If this Government
avoids the period Of arbitrary rule 1t VIII De
unlike any other that ever existed, ana the
signs we have already beheld will prove
strangely delusive. No country that ever
existed bad an immunity from that concen'
traitor or power first in party, ana a'ter-
wards in one man, which was lnseparaoie
from prolopgation of the term OF o1hce OF
the ruler, ard this country not only cannot
hope for such immunity, but on the con-
trary the signs in the political arena show
tue too rapid approach of that period OF ar
bitrary power.
1t is. therefore, fact SO clearly probable
that those who hope that under .clrcum'
stances the third term might be beneficial to
them. see no reason why, under such cir
culns,anees, they should not gladly accept it.
The plumbers that discuss the proposition
are considerable. When NAPOLEON ordered
the shot which kllt d MURAT he pointed to
group and told the gunner to plant ball
there, as some little lieuteDants might be in
the group. So whenever lively third-term
article is sent of it is sure to hit one or more
OF the little aspirunts for the Presidency and
cause husteration. The effect is not little
amusing.
A Virginia correspondent Of the New
York Tribune sketches the third-telm party
OF this Stat, and ventures to place Cover
nor KEMpER on the subject. He makes the
Governor decidedly too pronounced a
"third-term man. AS to the " third-term !"
per se-.s. c., the "third tenn" without con-
ditions Governor KEMpER is nc "third-
term" mau at all. But the third term"
with c0nditions-the "third term" for a
safe, reliable President, who may be just 10
the South, fair and equal to the States, and
honest in bis administration, and whose
election will unquestionably save us from
far worse evils-would be quite acceptable
to Governor kEMPER. This is our third
term man, and we hesitate not i moment to
say so. Who would not prefer such man
to the perls Of electing another:
Political usages and principles, however
sanctifed by their observance, and the re-
soect shown them by the people, have fallen
into contempt, and If we can gain great
good by departing from this mere custom,
why, let us have it. Tie laws do not limit
the Presidential office to two terms of eight
years. WASHINGTON, JEFFERSON, and MADl.
SON withdrew for personal reasons sutisfac.
tory to themselves, and certainly nobody
wants man more than eight years--nay,
not more than four unless there are great
and overriding reasons why he should serve
longer.
We like the idea Of this third term" Il
is having an excellent effect. 1t is confusing
parties greatly to the advantage of the coun-
try, and the little men who hope to be Presi-
dents are very much exercised. They feel
very much troubled. We are impressed with
the idea that the Presidency is a temptation
that carries many politicians to the devil. II
the term Of the President was extended to
ten years, more politicians would get to
Heaven.