New-York tribune., 1874-09-14

WASHINGTON'S VIEWS OF A SECOND TERM.
The constitutional provision for the choice and
term of service Of the Executive partakes OF THAI
oracular ndefniteness which constitutes at once
the weakness and the strength of all compacts de-
signed to combine great diversity Of interests and
opinions It does not expressly forbid neither does
it expressly permit the reelection Of the Presidents
The first section of the second article, which con-
tains all that is pertinent to the subject reads as
follows: "The Executive power shall be vested In
President of the United States of America Ha
shall hold his office during term Of four years."
Upon rigorous enforcement of heprinciple that
powers not expressly conceded in the Constitution
are reserved to the States people, it might be-
maintained with great plausibility that the Con-
stitution conferred no power under which Chiet
Magistrate could hold his Office for more than
single term 3" He shall hold his Office during term
of four years." but there is express authority for
holding it longer. 1t is difficult to see how undec
that clause he can hold t for than four years.
and yet SO far as the Constitution goes, if he can
be reelected once, he can be reelected for life.
There is no doubt that Washington inclined
to adopt this construction 1t was with undissem-
bled reluctance that he allowed himself to be can
didate the second time. His disinterested nature
shrank with instructive decacy from placing him
self in position which might possibly tend to dis
popular and administrative forces of the country.
Mr.. Madison tells that as early as May 8, l792,
and in the third year of his first Presidential term,
Washington sent for him to consult about the mode
and time most proper for making known hls inten-
ton of retiring from public life on the expiration Oh
the term for which he had been elected, :" He took
this opportunity of mentioning them to me-" says
Mr.. Madison, "that might consider the matter and
give him my opinion before the adjournment OF
Congress, OF my departure from Philadelphia. He
had he said forborne to communicate his intentions
to any other persons whatever but Mr. Jefferson.
Col Hamilton Gen. Knox. and myself, and Of late
to Mr.. Randolph Col. Hamilton and Gen. Knox, he
observed, were extremely importunate that he
should relinquish his purpose and had made press
ing representations to induce him to it. Mr.. Jeer
son had expressed his wishes to the like effect He
had not, however. persuaded himself that his
continuance in public life could be of 50
much necessity or Importance as was con-
ceived, and his disincnation to it was becoming
every day more aud more fixed; so that he
wished to make up his mind as soon possible on
the points he had mentioned. What he desired was
to prefer that mode which would be most remote
from the appearance of arroganty presuplng on ms
reelection in case he should not withdraw himself,
and such time as would be most convenient " the
public In making the choice of his successor"
Madison promised to revolve the subject In bis
mind and communicate the result before leaving
Philadelphia and at the same time urged the same
motives for his retaining the Presidency that had
been used to overcome his reluctance to taking it.
On Friday the 25th Of the same month Of May,
Mr. Madison informs lis that the President met him
ON the road returning from Mount Vernon to Phila-
dephia, aud handed him letter which ran as fol-
lows: ~. 80 ,.oo
MY DEAR SIR As there Is possibility not proba-
bilty that shall not my return home, or II
should you, IL may be ON the road ana under ccnn
stances which may prevent my speakh2 10 you on inc
subject we last conversed upon take tue hDer5 or
committing paper the following thoughts ana re-
quests. ........,
by you In the conversations just alluded 10. On the con-
trary, have again and again reVOlSed them Win
thoughtful anxiety but without Deing aoe 10 dispose
my mind to longer continuation IN the oince have
now the honor TO hold therefore still look forward
with the fondsst and most ardert wishes 10 spend the
remainder OF my days. which cannot expect 10 DC ong
in and tranquility.
Nothing but conviction that my declining the chair
of government IL should be the wsh OF the people
continue me it would involve the ceunry In serious
disputes respecting the Chief Magistrate, and the dsa
greeable consequences which might result thererom ~
at present, could in any wise induce 10 reinqush
the determination have formed and OF this do nos
how evidence bc obtained previous 10 the
election. Ny vanity sure. Is not OF the cast 70
allow me 10 view the subject In this light ,..,
Undsr these impressions ihen permit ,, me no panaiv
10 think OF the proper time and the oest moue VI nI
nouncing the intention and that you SJSa & a ns
has always been On the one hand, pre-
vious declaration retire no. only carries Win II me
enssras1 into maneuyer be invited " remain; and,
on the other hand say nothing implies consent or NJ
s1e sfterWards might be deemed bad ana uneanad.
would fan carry my request 70 you furtser than y
al Ruas tha