The New York herald., 1874-07-13
The Republican Party and tho Third
Term.

Term.
We have always felt that the principal
danger Of the third term idea came from the
indifference of the republican leaders. They
are so much afraid of the power of the admin
istration that they look with paralyzed eyes
and silent speech upon discussion more
momentous than any political question that
has arisen since The foundation Of the govern
ment. We called attention the other day to
the expressions of Hon. E. 81. Roberts, of
Utica, leading republican member Of Con-
gress, on the subject, and now we hear what
even Senator as conspicuous as H. b.
Anthony, of Rhode Island, has to say. Writ
ing in the Providence Journal he says that
from what he knows of the manifestations of
General Grants character he has no belief
whatever that he ''aspires to third Presiden-
tial term, or that the idea has ever been in his
mind, save when mentioned to him by some
sycophant who thought thus to please him,
but who is pretty likely to have disguised him
by such style of fiattery." This is a vague
expression Of opinion, and, as the Senator has
evidently no information on the subject, he
proceeds to argue the point in a timid, gentle
fashion. ''The precedent" he says, (which
has been established on this subject and
which has been observed from the beginning,
he respects as much as do the people Of the
country, and with them it is scarcely less
obligatory than provision Of the constitution
itself That precedent will not be disregarded
either by them or by him, and we deem all
suggestions to the contrary as the idlest sort
Of political gossip. No party would nominate
any President for third term unless the cir
cumstances of the country were such as to
make the step absolutely imperative, and
even then it would be very perilous proceed
ing, SO strongly are the minds of the people
set against it. At the present time there is no
reason whatever for doing it. even if it were
ever so much sought for by the President,
instead of not being sought at all. The pre-
cedents Of nearly ninety years have established
two terms as all for which any President can
be elected, and there is no danger that these
precedents will be set aside.
Now all of this means nothing In
! striking contrast to the Senator's hopeful,
uncertain logic, and the coy, diplo-
matte indifference of Hon. E. 81. Roberts
and other New York republican leaders,
who have no opinions to express on
the question of the third term for General
Grant we note the manly protest of the
Rochester Democrat and Chronicle ''No
party" says the editor, ''can succeed at the
polls with third term candidate Nomina.
ton will be equivalent to defeat Such def
ance OF the popular thought would itself pre-
sage disaster. It would be losing game from
the beginning In republic it is impossible
to war against the public will, and that will
has in no manner been more distinctly indi-
Gated than in its conviction, deliberately
formed and frequently and unhesitaingly ex.
pressed, that the incumbency of the Presi-
Dental chair shall be limited to eight years. -
This is just expression of opinion, and We
honor the Democrat and Chronicle for its
promptitude in taking ground. If this third
term question takes serious shape it will be
the fault of the leaders of the party and the
representative journals. If those who are
charged with the discipline and purposes Of
the party were to initiate the Democrat ant
Chronicle and emphatically oppose the move
ment it would fade away. cit is the duty O.
the republican press" says the editor, "now Il
state it's views, without reserve and without
equivocation Ninety-nine one-hundredths o
that press are with us in the position we hav,
taken. They should speak out and lay thi
ghost of Cmsarism which haunts the imagina
ton of so many men,"
The Locust Plague in the North
west-Is there q Preventive!
The locust plague which has fallen on tn
fair fields of the Northwest appears to defy al