The Rutland daily globe. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1873-1877, 1874-09-30
POPULAR ELECTIONS AND THEIR
Uses

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POPULAR ELECTIONS ANDTHEIx
USES.
We lately read a jubiant boast of an
English writer that England was highly
favored in hei exception from presidential
elections, such as eve four years were
the curse of these United States, in that
their chief executive, born TO the business,
sat on the throne by the right of birth,
happily remained in office for life. ruling
by the grace of God Views somewhat
akin to these, are cropping out in the hints
and suggestions of the Grant thrd-term-
party, the existence of which cannot
longer be denied IF you get good man
in Office keep him there ga president
ought to have more than one or two terms
to carry out his plans especially when I'M
settled questions are on his hands these
are some of the arguments in fact, if not
in form, in which the doctrine of presi-
dercy for third term, or for life is pre-
sentcd. So bold are these advocates for
long lease of office, that like the English
writer alluded to, some of them already
pronounce our quadrennal presidential ell
ections as unmitigated evils, ia no respect
counterbalanced by the good they do
Their doctrine is, ''long tenure for office
holders, about which, or in relation to
whom, the people should be but seldom
consulted" In other words they hold that
office holders can be more safely trusted
than the people can trust themselves.
This is no new doctrine. And history is
once more repeating itself. 1t is well
known that some of the founders of our
republic were fearful of the people but if
they inclined, having then no example of a
successful democratic republic in the
worlds history to allay their fears, to favor
senate for life, and monarch for life,
hedged in by constitutional guards, they
were far more patriotic than are the third
termists now, who largely consist of office
holders and their dependents, Familiarity
and appropriately known as the bread-and-
butter-brigade. While it should be remem-
bered that Washington, from reasons of
unselfish and enlightened potrotism, when,
not the Office holders only, or mainly, de-
sired his continuance in the presidential
chair for third term, but the great body of
the people desired it, declined this honor
with firmness, grace and wisdom, which
rebound to the imperishable honor of him
who was "first in war, first in peace, and
first in the hearts of his countrymen." Had
Washington cluug to the presidency with
the tenacity OF one of our modern political
barnacles, had he, during the tendency of
his second term sent out his commands to
his blowers and strikers to guggest, urge
and advocate third term for himself, or
permitted it to be done, unrebuked-who
can suppose the fair fame that now hal
lows his name, the untarnishcd honor and
incorruptible patriotism which that name
calls forth from all tongues and all lands,
would be to-day, his best monument, and
constitute him, as he is, the brightest star
without spot or stain-in the
brilliant galaxy of American states
men and heroes ? We think his example
worthy of all imitation. That example is
n warning.
We therefore take issue with the third
termists and with those who pronounce our
frequent elections, evils, or rotation in
office, as a rule, unwise. Incidental evils,
we admit, comparatively trivial and tran
silent, attend all popular movements, or
the garnering of popular verdicts. But
they are nothing in comparison with the
value and importance of frequent changes
in office, and frequent recurrence to the
ballot, by people that mean to keep their
reserved rights in their own hands, and to
guard those delegated from abuse, by hold
ing their public servants to a rigid account
ability for the faithful discharge of their
official stewardship, and by frequently re-
minding them that office is no aristocratic
or kingly distinction or a sugar-tcat sine
cure-but is wholly and solely democratic
instrument or agency of people who
make their own governments, and unmake
official dignitaries, at their own will.
Elections with free people must be fire.
quent. Every election, we care not how
important or otherwise, town, state or ma
tional, tends to interrupt stagnation of
thought and ideas, and to discussion of
public questions; their approach makes the
newspaper, the nations great educator
read and re-read by the intending voter,
and the result is the people understand
pending issues, and general enlightenment
on the political topics of the day is the re-
suit.
Elections are not too frequent, either, to
exercise salutary influence on our servants
at home, or away from home, doing, if
they mind their business, our business. We
have lamentable instances, even IN our
state, of men 30 long favored with office,
80 sure of reelection, that while in wash
ington they seem wholly to forget con-
constituency at home. Hence the grab
laws and gag laws of the last congress.
Who can suppose that Judge Poland
thought seriously of the reckoning that he
would have to make with his constituents,
when be, go manifestly, failed to represent