The New York herald., 1874-11-02
Dignity ana tho Third Term.

Since General Grant has seen at to take
s'the benefit of dignity" and seems. like
Shakespeare's or Bacon's hero to have mot
a thought but thinks on dignity it is won
derful how much attention dignity has re-
ceived from the press. One of the latest
papers heard from on the subject is the
Indianapolis Journal If common report has
not wronged the Journal it gets its political
inspiration from Senator Morton. In short,
that gentlemans organ. His projects are fos-
tered by its support His ambitions are
therein shown to be reasonable and just, and
views on public topics presented by the
Journal are taken from q standpoint SO near
to that of the Prairie Senator that the
laws of the impenetrability of matter
would prevent two minds being so
near together, if mind were matter.
1t is the opinion of this journal
() that President Grant has too much dig
nifty; (2) that the people have great deal
less dignity, and (9 that if the Presidents
dignity restrains the expression of his opin-
ions the people are not so delicate and will
boldly express their opinions, dignity or no
dignity. All this we are glad to hear on gen.
eral and particular grounds. There is no
quality more thoroughly American nor more
practically advantageous in great social and
political experiments than self-assertion.
This disposition to come out and declare in
dividually ones views on public topics SIM
plifes life, makes politics easy, and is .
consequence as well as q guarantee of that
independence of character which dissemi-
mated through nation keeps it free. So on
general principles we are glad that the Journal
and Senator Morton assert themselves on
the third term. On particular grounds
we are glad to hear from the
Senator. His leading position in the
West, his recognized capacity, his knowledge
of the people, oil give significance to his
declaration against the third term and to his
exposure Of the poor pretence of dignity un-
der cover Of which the President shrinks
from making q necessary declaration As
President Grants dignity is now before the
public it would be profitable to know its exact
limits Already we know that it interferes
with his speech, that it stands in the way Of
any declaration on his part, or even any act
that may make it difficult for him to accept q
nomination for third term if he can get it
or to get down gracefully if the nomination is
not to be had. Would this dignity also prevent
him from lending himself to any ex-
ira constitutional measures to keep
himself in Office in case the people
chose another man as his successor? Judge
jeremiah Black is reported to have said on
the third term:-"I will tell you what do
know. In 1872 one Of the leading men in the
republican party in New York, gentleman
who lately figured prominently at mass
meeting in New York city, said to me, DO
you think the democratic party would submit
if General Grant should happen to be de-
feated, and conclude that the salvation of the
country and the perpetuity of the Union de-
pended upon his continuance in power for
four years longer?' He went on to say,
Suppose there was o decent excuse for this;
that the results Of the war would be lost un-
less he remained at the head Of the govern
ment. Do you think that the democrats
would dare resist2' replied to him that OF
course could not tell what the democratic
party might do under certain circumstances
which knew nothing about, but /, for one,
would not like to submit tamely to any such
usurpation, no matter what the circumstances
might be-" Now, would General Grants dig.
nifty keep him out of such conspiracy if the
office-holders still propose this programme
In VoTISo FOR UNCLE DICK let New Yorkers
remember that they do honor to the friend Of
Jefferson, the confidential adviser OF Jackson
the trusted counsellor OF Lincoln and The
power behind the throne OF sixteen Presidents
ONE QUESTION will be decided Tomorrow