The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1875-03-17
The Third Term.

cuCloutly anu III Tue interests OF the people,
The Third Term.
The Hon. Ellis a. Roberts, ex-member of
Congress, of the Utica Herald, and the Hon.
John N. Francis, ex Minister to Greece, Of the |
Troy Tines, have embarked in q fervent con-
troversy about the third term. When the ques-
ton of C@sarism first came into our politics |
Mr.. Roberts, like many OF his republican col
leagues, opposed the mere thought that Grant
convince us that we were mistaken in our
conclusions. The result of the controversy,
however, was that Mr.. Roberts accepted our
logic and induced the Convention which nomi-
mated him to Congress to pass resolutions
condemning the third term. He has since
joined with the HERALD in our efforts to COM
bat the schemes of those who would renomi-
nate President Grant. 'If,' says MIR. Rob
erts, 'the third term is left in its present
uncertain status until the fall, we
do not hesitate to predict that the
republican party will not then carry a
single one of the States which will then
vote.'' To this sagacious opinion Mr..
Francis replies, condemning Mr.. Roberts
for his "third-term harpings," denouncing it
as 60 humbug invented by the New YORK
Herald" Originating in q spirit of mis-
chievous sensation" Sustained in a spirit Of
partisan malice" Mr.. Francis informs us
that his relations with the President enabled
him, as far back as October, 1873, to deny that
he was candidate for reelection. He sum-
mons as witness our esteemed fellow towns
man, Hon. Richard Schell, commonly known
as 'Uncle Dick,' who says that General
Grant had personally said as much as that to
him. Mr.. Francis is convinced that the
President never uttered word indicating any
purpose but that of retiring at the end of his
term, and he describes an interesting interview
at which he was present, when General Grant
informed delegation of Cherokee Indians
that be would only be 'qwo years longer in the
White House." This statement Mr. Francis
earnestly desired that the third term forebod-
ings that have so muob troubled our good
friend should be at once and forever dis
PEELED"
1t would afford us the utmost pleasure to be
the means of restoring harmony between Mr..
Roberts and Mr.. Francis. The spectacle of
Mr. Roberts refusing to be comforted by Mr..
Francis indicates mutinQ@s quality-a
Fluelen spirit-worthy Of the ancient and
illustrious race from which Mr.. Roberts
springs. The difference between these two
men is that Mr. Roberts has bean for four
fha
of the republican party, while Mr.. Francis
has been spending this time in the classic
land of Greece, where burning Sappho
loved and sung" humane, high-minded
statesmanlike diplomatist returning from
Greece-his soul filled with the classic men,
of Socrates, Plato and Homer; his
ideals OF government based upon those
early models of Spartan simplicity and
patriotism which the Greek genius gave
to the world his types of citizen
ship, Epaminondas, Leonidas and Aristides-
would be the last man in the world to COM
prehend the atmosphere of Washington
Therefore the evidence of Mr.. Francis
which we have carefully weighed with all the
respect due to his high character, is simply
an enthusiastic expression Of confidence in
General Grant, and not an indication that the
President and his friends have no idea of the
third term. If Mr.. Francis had gone to the
Senate, for instance, he would have found one
member of that body-than whom no one
stands higher in the confidence of the Presi-
dent and the esteem of the republican party
who would have said to him, as he told others
not long since, ''that the next nominee of the
republican party for President would either
be General Grant or some one whose name
had not yet been mentioned"
On any question of Greek philosophy, liter
ature, poetry or diplomacy the opinions of
Mr. Francis would be far more valuable than
those of Mr.. Roberts. When it comes to
Washington politics and the manoeuvres Of
the republican leaders Mr.. Roberts testifes to
that which he knows He knows that the
whole drift of republican discipline since Gen
eral Grants reelection has been to consolidate
the party 80 as to give it military strength
and obedience. He knows that there has been
no leader in the councils Of the republican
party that dared to oppose the wishes of the
President He has seen leading republicans
who ventured to question the Executive au-
thorty taken out and shot like mutineers.
He has seen the South governed by system
of pro-consuls, recalling the Roman policy and
leading to government like that of Rome.
Reasoning from these facts and from the char
acter of the men with whom he has been as
ISOLATED, he cannot resist the conclusion that
the supporters OF the President do not mean
to abandon power until they are compelled to
do 80 by the decisive vote of the people
The narratives which Mr.. Francis gives
us of the declarations of the President are in
terestlng but meagre. Now, let us ask Mr..
Francis himself one ouect;on Would ba