The New York herald., 1874-08-26
LONG BRANCH POLITICS.

The Third Tcrm-The President Seeks
and Obtains Inform ton on the Sub.
ject-The Opinions of Washington,
Hamilton, Jefferson and Others of ''the
Fathers In Favor OF Third Term
The Idea Not Abandoned by General
Grant.
LONG BRANCH, August 25, 1874.
II Is generally supposed that the question OF
third Presidential term to General Grant was
settled by the late pennsylvania Republican state
Convention in Its complete resolutions in favor Of
Governor Hartranit as the republican standard
bearer for 1876 and against the recognition Of
General Grant even as possible necessity for
another trial. But IL appears that the General
attaches very little Importance to those Pennsyl-
vania resolutions, or that he regards them only as
political diversion for present purposes, ana
thinks that alter the approaching State elections
the friends OF the administration will have some
thing TO say touching the necessities OF the repub-
ican party in reference to the next Presidency.
But the newspapers and the politicians opposed
to the third term have said so much of the Presi-
Dental limitation OF two terms AS established in
the examples OF Washington, Jefferson. Madison,
Monroe and Jackson. that General Grant has
thought it nroper institute an inquiry into these
examples. in order to ascertain how far they will
apply to the opinion that the limitation set by
people as strong as the constitution.
The President the other day, accordingly. on fall
ing IN with veteran politician, who has the po-
itical history OF the country at his fingers ends
requested him to look over the opinions OF Wash
ingtOn and his contemporaries upon this third
term question ana report AS soon as ne
searches. The veteran politician, being an
advocate OF a third term In the present case,
cneeriully assumed the pleasant task assigned
lGnSn -etOtIt
ing completed his report, went over TO the Presi
dents cottage, ana there read 1t to General
Tie argument OF the paper, as we are informed
was strongly In favor OF a third term to General
Grant, rom the opinions OF washington and his
contemporaries upon the subject.
1t was thus represented TO the President that
Washington retired at the end OF MS second term
not from public and pOlltcai but IRON private ana
personal CONSIDERATIONS, that he was, IN truth, a
supporter OF Hamitons idea that the President
should hold his Office during good behavior, Tree,
OF course, to resign at any tlne and subject 10 re-
mOval from disability.
Jenels son. it was shown, retired at the end of his
second term because ne had bad enough OF the
cares, troubles and tncessant dfuGgery OF the
office, and because in MS private aiairs he had
fallen into such embarrassmentS during his alb
sence from Monticello that his immediate atten-
ton to hts estates was necessary in order TO keep
q roof over his head.
And so on the argument proceeded with the
views OF Madison, Monroe ana others, down to
jackson. who, from his respect for The examples
OF his ''illustrtous predecessors" never enter.
tained thought OF running ior thlru time, but
WAS glad to get away III season TO escape the
coming financial troubles which he knew would
descend like an avalanche upon his immediate sue
CessOr
The veteran politician also expounded the con-
stitution on the Presidents term of office. The
cons tuition says:-"rhe executive power shall be
vested in President OF the United states OF
America" and that "ne SHAH hold ms ofiice dur
ing the term OF four years. Nothing is said
about his reelection to the office. II, therefore,
he may be elected for a second term, he may be
elected for third fourth ana a fifth. II ne
chooses by and with the consent ana support OF q
majority OF the electoral colleges.
Such was the constitutional argument OF the
veteran politician chosen by General Grant to
overhaul 'the athers" on the subject OF third
term to the Presidency, and TO make a note OF
their opinions The report was not intended for
publication, but simply Tor the information of
General Grant, 1t is supposed, In the discussion OF
the subject with his friends III Is thus
apparent however, that he is seriously
inclined to this bold adventure OF a third term
OtherwiSe he would not trouble himself about the
opinions Of 'the iathers on the subject Tor Gen
eral Grant is not man who taxes upOn himself
any superluOus labor. 1t Is believed, however,
that II the republicans OF the Empire State in tne
State Convention OF September next at Utica de-
OF third Presidential term to General Grant, ne
will declare himself out oil the field; but 1t Is wnls
pered that Senator COnkling has been posted from
Long Branch, and that the Utica Convention upon
the aimportant question VIII say nothing. II
dumb, hOwever, It's very silence, under the gene
raj agitation OF the subject, Will be at least eqiiva
lent 10 proclamation that the New York repub-
cans are not yet prepared to pronounce General
Grant out Of tue Presidential field for 1876.