Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1874-09-23
Third Term Agitations.

through his friends, is quietly sounding
public opinion on the subject, and tina,
action will be based on the develop
ments reached The Washington Re
publican, reputedly an organ Of the
Presidents, is arguing the question, al
one of abstract right, quite earnestly
Hence it IS assumed the President ha.
given it the cue. His friends are de-
clared to talk it in his presence, aud
prominent officials, specially intimate al
the White House, are outspoken Third
Tcrmists. Secretary Brlstow is re-
ferred TO as an astute politician, and in
favor of this idea. This is the case a:
made against him.
On the other hand, intimate friends
of tbo President say he is not csndi
date for Third Term and will not ac,
cept nomination if it is offered him.
He is declared to be already forecast
ing preparations for his home life at the
close of his present term. Certainly
| be has made no utterance that fastens
him to the Third Term theory. So
much for rumOrs aud counttI-rumors.
lu the meantime, we do not see that
the discussion of Third TeImism as AL
abstract theory will be attended with
any harm. General Grant aside, is il
desirable. considered merely as an in
novation upon existing customs, to es-
tablish the Third Term as available to
a popular President The right to re-
nominate aud elect a man three, four,
OF half dozen times, is indisputable.
There are no Constitutional restrictions
to this. 1t is simply matter of choice
With the people. And it is absurd to
talk about the spirit of the Constitu-
ton, as bearing on this subject. 1t has
no spirit about it. The whole matter
reverts to the pleasure of the people.
1t simply will be violative Of the law
of customs to elect ior more than two
terms, but nothing more.
Putting aside, however, even this,
anu looking at the subject IN the light
of its own merits, and We fail to see
any gaod reason why a Third Term
should be grsnted TO any man. Such
course will not lessen party strife,
nor serve to give stability or perma-
nency TO our Institutions. The strength
of our institutions does not consist in
/ this. Whenever the time arrives that
the central government is the sole re-
lance for permanency to our iustitu-
tious, We will be far on our way to I'm
perialism or the monarchy. The peo-
pie constitute our bond of strength :;
and the lodgmsnt of power with the
people must ever be the guidance of
our permanency. Lincoln's Govern
ment was a mere rope of sand, at the
outbreak of the rebellioh but the pur-
pose of the people to resist all attempts
to destroy this Union made US strong
not merely against rebel hosts, but
threatening Europe as well.
Admit this idea, and the Presidency
is mere phase or incident in our Gov
ernmental life.-important, yet ;ribu-
tary to the sovereign will Of the peo-
pie. The strength or weakness of the
Presidency has never been the test of
national strength or growth. The Mex
icau war was fought under one of the
weakest executives the country ever
had. The Kansas fight, embodying
that between slavery and freedom, was
carried forward under an admins
tration fastened to the slave cause, yet
liberty triumphed, In every great
crisis of our national history, except, in
part. the rebellion, the Government
has been Of little value, and the people
everything. To say, now that the peo-
pie have cementeC the Union with their
blood, that We need, and are in danger
if We do not have, particular execu-
tive continued in Office permanently, is
an insult to the intelligence and char
acter Of the American people. They
can change the Government officials
from top to bottom, and no harm will
follow
The idea can never be admitted that
one particular person is necessary to
the maintenance of free institutions.
At the present We can think of half
dozen persons who could fill the Presi-
Dental Office acceptably. Nor is it to
be overlooked, that repeated elections
of one man serve to tempt the Presi-
Dental incumbent to seek to perpetuate
his power. President Grant has done
we'll, and can leave ofice with the es-
TEEN of the people and we have the
faith that he is not an aspirant for q
Third Term in The Presidential ofcs.