National Republican., 1874-07-14

tice reaching annually more and more to
the retention in public life of faithful and
efficient representatives. And if we find
that twelve or twenty -four years service in
the Senate or House does not impair, but
rather enhances the usefulness of the states
man through his uninterrupted experience,
is it not a strong reason for retaining for
twelve, sixteen, twenty, or even twenty
four years the services Of an Executive who
NAV have each successive term of his past
service proven more efficient who is still in
the full prime of life and vigor of manhood
and intellect whose integrity is spotless,
whose patriotism is ardent and unfagging,
whose fitness for the position has been in
every way increased by the experience Of
the past, who still cherishes the same pro-
found respect for the popular will and bows
to its behests with the same ahnegatiOn Of
self as when first chosen to administer the
Government
In short when we take common sense
view of this ''so-called" third-term bust
ness, is not the objection of tradition raised
against it the merest and veriest clap-trap,
unsustained by either reason. argument or
sound logicf These observations are not
made in behalf Of General Grant or any
other man. The simple object now is to
discuss the question in the abstract.
Divested Of all personal considerations, it
appears to US that the true interests of this
country are utterly opposed to the frequent
and abrupt changes Of governmental policy
which are almost inseparable from our
periodical four year revolutions Our COM
mercisl manufacturing and industrial op-
eratiOas, as capital increases and population
becomes more dense and labor more con-
solidated, are all more sensitive to political
changes than formerly. Uninterrupted
labor alone can insure uniform prosperity
The correct governmental policy with re-
gard to cCmmerce, manufactures and
finance once Rscertained and steadily pur-
sued for serbs Of years is what this coun-
try now stsndi more in need Of than any
thing else. Itnatters little who is Execu-
tive, so long ashe faithfully, promptly and
energeticallY EXECUTES the laws Of Congress
In this regard Gneral Grant has made his
record, and by it he must and will, doubt
less, be judged by the people. If they are
dissatisfied with lis executive abilities, as
developed in the Pst, it is not at all probs-
BILE that he will be called upon to exert
them during thid term. If the people
have doubts of his integrity or patriotism
they will suffer hiulto retire, and If they
think that they can make better selection
in any respect they will no doubt proceed
to do so at the prope; time, regardless of
any efforts which politicians or ofice-hOld-
ers may make to the cntrary.
We will not insult th intelligence Of the
people by attempting b defend the Presi-
dent from the charge If intriguing for o
third term. Each act o. his public life,
from the moment of his modest tender OF
his services TO the country through the late
Governor Yates, of Illinois at the breaking
out of the war, to be commanded in "any
such capacity as they might be deemed
most useful" down to the present time, is
clear historical refutation If the charge.
From the moment when, at he request oi
Gov. Yates, he ruled and wroe, with his
own hands, the forms and blanks necessary
TO the organization Of the Adlutant Gen
erals Office Of the State, and afterwards or.
ganized the five camps of instruction which
| enabled LlIis-ie 20 ans"'--aEery subseouen
nat;naaI call for men, with troopS ,srtiaII,
i drflled and fitted for the field, down u IA,
present moment the record shows tha
Gen. Grant, like true soldier, has slway
promptly obeyed orders but has neve
asked for promotion or position. The
have always sought him.
When Mr.. E. B. Washburne, in who's
district he resided at the time, gave him tn,
letter of introduction which he carried t.
Governor Yates, and asked him what b
expected to do; his reply was the true in.
dex to the character Of the man: "The Uni
''ted States educated me at West Point
''The Government is now in trouble and i
entitled to my services" Certainly sucl
man must be credited with too much o
wisdom and sagacity. after the career which
he has thus far run, to lower himself a
this late day to the level Of political in
trigue. He still retains the same firm con
fidence iR the people which has thus fal
sustained him in all adverse situations. H
has never swerved from duty because an
act seemed to be momentarily unpopular
but has persevered, resting satisfied that ht
should ultimately be sustained and indorseC
by the source Of all power. Being of snt
from the people himself he intuitively
divines their wishes. Between them thert
seems to be established sort of sympathetic
or magnetic current whose equilibrium may
at times be disturbed by the sensations anC
passions of the hour, but is quickly re
stored, producing a harmony of feeling
thought and understanding which is above
and beyond all political intrigues and in,
fluences. Through this current both the
President and the people will know Ions
before conventions shall determine it
whether he is to serve them third term ol
whether they desire the services of another
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