The Weekly Kansas chief. [volume] (Troy, Kan.) 1872-1918, 1874-09-10
The Proposed Third Term for Geuernr Gran.

Without being particularly demonstrative in
politics, this journal favored Gen. Grant for Pre-
| sident. He is now serving his second term No
| President has ever served more than two terms.
| George Washington, the father of his country
and the first President, was the first TO set the
example of declining even to be candidate for
| Il third term. This voluntary REIMBURSEMENT of
power has been regarded by many the crown
| ing glory of his most ilustrious character.
John Adams, the second President, was not
reelected, and consequently served but single
| term.
Thomas Jefferson, our third President, and
author of the Declaration of Independence, fol-
| lowed the example of Washington. So did James
Madison, than whom acted more i'm
portant part in the formation and establishment
of our Constitution. So did James Monroe.
John Quincy Adams, like his father, was cleo
ted only once.
This brought us to the time of Andrew Jack
son. The opposition to him was very violent,
bnt the support of him was still more powerful.
He had been q military man, and possessed an
iron will. 1t began TO be reported and soon be-
came pretty generally believed, that he would
seek third term. But the old hero took
ly occasion, in message to Congress, 10 dis
claim any such inteptiqn- a.d thus promptly 'a
silence what he evidsntly regarded as scandal.
Van Bnren was elected but once.
Harrison and Taylor both died soon after en-
terng upon their respective terms.
Tyler and Fillmore were never elected Prcsi-
dent, but succeeded as Vice President, the for
mer to Harrison, the latter to Taylor.
Franklin Pierce not much nominated
for reelection. Neither was Buchanan.
Lincoln was assassinatrd after entering upon
his second term, and johnson, who succeeded
him, barely squeezed through, after impeach-
ment, single term
Thus we that in the long line or Prcsi
dents there is no precedent to he found for even
SO mnch as an attempt to be elected a third term.
To be sure there is no provision in our written
Constitution against third term, but the tradi
tion which limits the Office of President to eight
years has become so fixed and sanctted in the
minds of the people by the uniform example of
our greatest that it possesses all the force of
a constitutional provision. Any attempt to de-
part from it now would be looked upon with well
grounded suspicion rs the first treacherous step
toward the overthrow Of liberty aud the fonnda-
tion of empire
We do not donbt that such movement would
be met by a most crushing defeat. But this
wOnld not be all. The popular reprobation
would blacken aud brand the name of him who
should seek to be satiated by longer lease of
power than that which Washington, aud Jcffer-
son, and Madison, and Monroe, and jackson
found sufficient TO fll the measure of their ambi.
tion. No reputation is so high that it can OF be
sacrificed. Arnold was unquestionably one of
the greatest Generals of the revolution, but be-
meath the obloquy and infamy which cover him,
even his military genius is Lust to view.
At the end of eight years Gen. Grant will qui-
etly walk out of the White House, or he will
forever place himself outside of the esteem of the
American people.-Ner York Ledger.