New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1875-06-01
A GHOST LAID.

The spectral third term of Presiden
Grant has stalked around to frighten tn
Democratic party from its propriety, ant
to give rise to wonderful fables of Caesar
ism and Imperialism.
This danger was visible to the acut
second sight of the exiled Democracy, an'
they very readily pointed it out to sec
ton of the Republican party.
For ourselves, we have never believed
that a more extended term of executive
service than that to which the Office ha
been heretofore restricted, possessed eithe
advantage Or danger to our republican in
situations.
1t is the theory Of republican constitu
ton that the people are, not only the
source of all power, but Of all political
discretion in the exercise of power
Hence. if this theory be maintained, il
matters little whether one man Of
ability and integrity execute the laws
for three terms of four years each, OF
whether three men of similar character
are employed in the same service.
There is value in the consistent official
experience of an individual, but as this
resolves itself into the question of the
comparative stability of all officers, it is
no more applicable to the President than
his secretary, or porter.
Tried by this republican test, we can
safely say that no American President has
shown more consistent Difference to the
wishes and will of the representative body
than has President Grant. 1t is evident
from the broad statement that he has in
no instance come in collision with the
representative bodies In the enforce
ment of the acts of reconstruction he has
but followed the text of the law. In pre-.
serving the peace of Louisiana be has
obeyed the constitution, which requires
him to furnish adequate force to preserve
the domestic peace of the States upon the
application of the State authorities He
has only recognized an existing State gov
eminent after notifying Congress that it
was the representative duty to define the
position. In all our foreign and domestic
relations President Grant has manifested
no disposition to construe laws or to mark
out policy oppo sed to or even varying
from that of the representative body.
We shall barely pause to note the Demo-
cratic doctrine of executive discretion as
in history and tradition of
General Jackson. He took the money of
the people from the place where the rep
of the people had placed it.
He claimed that the department of finance
was an atom of his executive existence,
and controlled the action of subordinate
to revoke the will of the people, as ex-
pressed through their representatives.
What, then, Of aggression or encroach-
ment upon the right of other departments
can be alleged against the present Presi-
dent? We affirm that did his term close
tomorrow, his record of obedience to the
will of the people and respect for the writ
ten constitution could be surpassed in
fidelity by that Of none of his predecessors.
When We take into consideration the OPP
preston he might have practiced under
color Of law, it would seem to us that the
nan who granted the capitulation to Lee,
who protected Lee and Johnston from |
oftQOonf of 10
gave universal amnesty to all who had |
been i'll arms or in action against the
cause which he had led to conquest, would
De entitled to some emotion of gratitude.
Such an officer as the President has
proved himself to be would be acceptable,
Is he would be safe for any number of
erms, but it can not be under the system
# party policies in vogue among u.s. The
Democratic profession of rotation in
'fice' means give every man a chance at
public service and public salary. Perhaps
t is better that Sparta sh ould have many
ons worthy of her service Possibly it
nay be better for the republic, as in the
rmy, to train colonies, captains and
ieutenants to command brigade because
n the accidents of the fight they may be
allied on to do so. But any way, the OBJ
ection to President Grants third term is
ot personal to him. We can assume for
be Republicans who expect Office that
hey would as soon hold Office under him
S under any one else, and for the Demo-
rats that if anybody is to hold Office ex-
ept themselves they could not possibly
we under an opposition President more
olerant and less obnoxious.
No one likes perpetuity in Office. When
ne whole patronage Of an administration
as been given to one set of men for eight
ears, to continue it for twelve years looks
cry much like life estate in salary;
len whose boards have grown gray in
lpport of such an administration, and
l defending the mistakes in men and
.easures incident to all human affairs,
egin to relax their zeal. Those who CAL 6
llate upon political compensation for
leir services incline to allow their own
to be beat out of their way, 8
linking the chances to get Office on re-
inquest better than to await promotion t
7 vacancies in the established organiza- I
on. Such has been the motive of the
epublicans out of office in Directing to |
e renewal of the official lease of one ,
lndred thousand officers, with the dis c
'sition of millions of patronage and t
lblic expenditure. Such has been the t