New-York tribune., 1874-09-14

some iermnaton to tho services Chief gisrate be
fIed by the Constitution or supplied py so
his Office, nOnnay for years. Will IN fact Decone ioI
life; and history shows how easily that degenersos
into inheritance believing that
govern men responsible nc short periods OF eecuou 20
that which produces the greatest sum OF happiness 70
mankind feel II duty 20 do no set Which shall essen ~
the person, who disregardng the sound precedent e
by an lllustrous predecessor should furnlsh tne ns
onlce.
Addresses were also received from Georgia. Dec.6
1896 from New-Jersey and Rhode Island. Feb. ~,
1907 from New-York. March ,13 1907; from Penn
syvania. March 49, 1907 and from Maryland, JAM
g. 1891 to all which answers like that sent to Yer
mont were returned.
Eleven days after the date Of his letter to the Leg
islature of Vermont he addressed another to the
Society of Baptiss of the Appomattox Association OF
Virginia who had expressed their admiration OF his
public policy and their desire that he would suffer
himself to be continued in the Chief Magistracy.
In reference to the thrd-term question, he said;
Believing that q definite period OF retiring from this
will tend materially to secure our elective form
advancing years bring on. have felt t duty to Will
draw at the close OF my present term OF oice ana 10
ary. That others NAV be found whose talents ana IN
egrity render them proper deposit. OF tne puoS H
their eminent services we can all aihrn OF our personal
To gs h VIII Repfs & eoW to v. he 10 rve
them support while there TO facilitate Their hones
efforts for the public good even waere otner @ 81
country by union under them and 10 reserve our
| election.
In his reply to a friendly address from the General
Assembly of North Carolina, on the 10th of January
| 1903, he used the following language:
learn with the iiyeliest sentiments OF graft
tude and respect your appreciation OF my conduct ~ t9e
cOnfde to me at an 'rent times ana eSpeclay tat tne
administration OF our public aars since my h
my continuance IN that Office after lts present Term
down my charge at proper period is as much duty as
TO have borne IL faithfully. II some Termination TO the
services of The Chief Magistrate be not hxed by the
Constitution supplied by practice. bis olhce nomr
nally for years will in fact become for HE ana history
shows how easily that degenerates into an inheritance
Believing that representative Government respon-
sbe short periods OF election, Is that Wncn prouuces
duty to do no act which shall essentially impair that
principle and should unwillingy be tho person wac,
predecessor should furnish the first example Of pro
| iongation beyond the second term or Office.
In the same spirit he wrote to Mr.. Henry Guest on
| the 4th of January, 1909:
constant pressure of business must be my apology
for being so late ia acknowledging the receipt OF your
favor Nov am sensible Of the Kindness OF your
rebuke my determination TO refine from o1ce a.
time when country Is laborlug under difficulties
truly great But II the principle OF rotation be sound
conscientously believe IL 70 be with respect 10
this office, no preext should ever DO 10 us
pense with it. because there never VIII De tne when
text for dissatisfaction.
Writing to Mr. James Martin Sept. 30 1913, he re-
peats the views he had often proclaimed before
on this subject:
am for responsibilities at short periods. seeing
neither safety in making public functonary
independent Of the nation for life for long term
OF years. On this principle prefer the Presidential
OF four TO that OF seven years when my
had at first suggested annexng TO it, however in
eligibility forever after and wish II were now annexed
TO the second quadrennial election OF President
TO the citizens of the City and County of Phila-
delphia, who in town meeting had expressed their
approval of his motives for retiring at the close of
his second term. Jefferson replied on the Sd Febru-
airy, 1909:
Your appreciation OF the motives OF my retirement
from the station long coniiied me il confirmation
In Office rotation be more
expedient and less admits in the diligence OF aget