The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1874-04-16
PRESIDENT FOR ONE TERM ONLY
THE PROPOSED AMENDMENT no
THE CONSTITUTION.

Just-now, great deal Of interest IS taken
in the proposed amendment to the Consti-
tuition Of the United States prohibiting any
man from serving for a longer period than
four years. And ia this connection we may
be permitted to premise by saying that there
is an amount Of ignorance Of the provisions
Of the Constitution which is truly suTpris-
ing and lamentable. There are, apparently,
well informed men, who ought to know
better, who believe that President is per
united by express provision to hold the
Office for two terms, or eight years, and
no longer. The consequence is, that in
discussing the probability Of Gen.
Grant being an aspirant for another
term, they say that be cannot hold
the Office if elected Now, If the
very liberties of the people were not in
volyed in strict observance Of that instru-
ment it might be excusable for any one to
pay no attention to its provisions, and the
results left 10 the attention Of lawyers and
politicians, who are paid to look after the
interests Of the 'dear people," But such is
not the case. On the contrary, the whole su-
perstructure of our government is built upon
it, and it's absolutely necessary that the peo-
pie, or at least those who exercise the right
and privilege of casting their ballots, should
know what are their nights what the provis-
ions Of the Constitution, and how to pre-
serve and maintain all intact. And what
makes it the more serious is that it is not
confined to any section. Not long since
we were conversing with school teacher
from Maine in relation to the. re-
moval of Mr.. Sumner from the chair
manship Of the Committee on Foreign
Relations in the United States Sens.sc upon
the partisan demand~of President Grant,
-when- heFeadily said that he supposed the
President had the power We were amazed;
and told him that Mr.. Sumner was beyond
the reach Of his Excellency and could only
be removed by the Senate. 1t is not, there
fore, surprising that just previous to and
during the war, the people Of the North
gave such widelhtitude to their Representa-
s tives and Senators; and permitted Mr.. Lin
coin to violate the most sacred and binding
obligations Of the Constitution, which gave
him greater power and more unrestrained
liberty of purpose and action than that Of
any Of the crowned heads of Europe, with
the exception of the autoerats. But with
the politically ignorant people of the
North, his rights were not questioned ex-
cept ~ a few who knew that that
instrument, if properly construed according
to its plain purport and meaning, gave no
such power to the President But armies
were raised and the writ of hd5eGs corpus set
aside at his option. Mr.. Douglass exposed
these violations in the United States SEN
ate. II is then matter of vast Importance,
nothing less than the loss of liberty, that
our children should be educated and should
be able to read and understand the Consti-
tuition Of the United States and of their own
State so that should there be an attempt in
the future to violate their provisions, our citi-
zens can say, thus far shalt thou go and
no farther" We have depressed from the
subject, but the importance of thorough
knowledge Of our organic law is so neces-
sary that it could not be passed by.
BY referring to the history Of the United
States, it will be seen that five Presidents,
viz; Washington, jefferson, Madison,
Monroe and Jackson, were each in Office
two terms, a eight years; and that Presi-
dent Grant has served one term and been
reelected to a second, which, if he lives to
ill, viii make him the sixth President who
has served eight years. They were all re-
elected solely on account of their supposed
fitness to fill the Office. There is no law to
prohibit Gen. Grant from serving another
term; provided the people see fit to re-elect
him. But now comes the question, sought
man to ell more than one term :" It is
contended by a large number of very intelli-
gent citizens that he ought not, and that
the Constitution should be amended so
as to fix the time at four years, and
no longer. This class contend that to
place power in mans hands for more than
four years will corrupt and tempt him to do
many things which he would not attempt il
he were limited to one term; that in his ef.
forts to pave the way for reelection he
would not be restricted or governed by che
Constitution, provided he could escape de-
lection and have reasonable grounds to hope
for success; that the time and attention
which should be devoted to the interests Of
the country are consumed in preparing deep
laid schemes for the accomplishment of re-
suits which might secure second term
and that the only way to have pure and
patriotic President, who will look to the
interests OF the whole country, and rise
above the corruption Of party and party
measures, is to place him in power for foul
years only. These are some Of the mors
prominent reasons urged in favor of the one
term. And il must be admitted that they
are very strong and plausible. But thcsg
who favor two or more terms also have, as
they believe strong reasons against the one
term They contend that the first four
years only give the President sufficient ex.
perience 20 know how to conduct the Office,
and. avoid many errSrs into which he may
have fallen. That no man is able to dis
charge the duties ot President during the
first years Of his administration as he could
after becoming scquaiuted with the routine
Of business and tae manner in which II
should be done. That in an Office who're s.
much patronage is at his disposal, nc mus
become more generally acquainted with the
leading men Of the various States. 50 IS K
he able 10 select the best and most suita
bic ones to en- the various offices. Now,
other things being equal. such argu
lnents would Be unaiiswerablo. but the gov
ernment has become 50 corrupt that there !.
but one way 10 cleaase the body polite and
secure beyond doubt pure administration,
and that is by amerlding the Constitution
50 IS 6 pgeseibe cpe term Of four years
IS 80 doing. all Compilations 10 tamper viii
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