The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1875-06-24
Third Term.
Editers Virginian:

E0WeTS FTglEetN:
Every approaching presidential election
brings to the surface astute suggestors and
| statesmen with specific policy and men to guide
the ship OF state, and get themselves by i; fren-
lied fancy Of their own fitness, to believe that
| their bidding. Such are a plague spot on tlYs
body polite. For some time we have had a
great deal said on the 'sThird TerIn,' .tCezar-
ISM and the ''unWritten law of the republic -
Now what do the people care about this. which
is only used as a raw head and bloody bores,'''
by politicians, to brighten the ulinitiated in the
| ways that are dark, SO much frequented by the
egotistic would-be statesmen and place seekers.
President Grant has by this time found out
that his only hope for a successful administra-
ton of the government Is in the support of the
people, those who have stood in the breach in
two presidential contests and bore him trium-
phantly to the position which he has filled with
so much honor to himself as well as to the re-
nown of his country and not to the danger
fearing politicians of the Republican party whe
tremble and wilt before every new assertion of
their political enemies, The same power that
sustained him in his country's trying hour, and
that has rallied toand oheered him as chief exec
utive, during both terms of his administration, in
which he has shown q degree Of patriotism and
executive ability which will send his name to
future generations as second to none who have
preceded him. ~ Hl.Ha 1870 atti tss s54 Il
Here may say that being one Of that power,
not an office holder,and making no pratensions
to political leadership, but an humble ,adherent
of the Republican party, am free to say that
President Grant is my choice for a third cleo
ton and that from All extensive inquiry and
interchange Of views with the people, he is
the choice of large majority OF the people Of
the United States. and as was said by II
distinguished statesman in 1882, in the presence
of the writer in relation to Gen. Andrew Jack
son, s'place him fairly before the people Of the
United States and no man can beat him. ''-
Grant, like his great prototype, has won place
in the affections OF his countrymen by his hero
ic achievement in the field as well us by ability
and patriotism in the Cabinet, and his name
will be gratefully remembered in coming ages
as only second to him who was first in war,
first III peace. and first in the hearts of his
counrrymen." -ae
Born one of the people, he has grown up and
remains one of them, despite his two elections
to the highest position in the nation and in the
face of all the splemdor OF his career in the
most wonderful historic period Of the past fiji
teen years, and he is still only one uf She peo-
pie. though in him is the sage and statesman,
and now the people claim and appreciate him
and are anxious to honor him and trust him.
The South, it seems to the writer, who is d ma
tive southcrner, and who suffered by the raya-
yes OF the war, should ever hold him in CRATE
full remembrance for the magnaniinity display
ed by him at AppomattoA c. II. to the noble
Lee and his valorous army, and though he has
been loaded with calumny and vituperation,
his motives impugned and private character
assailed, yet the kecnest eye will labor in vain
to find q spiteful or angry ntterance in any Of
his messages, speeches, letters, or known con-
versation. He has seemed to feel and act that
there is no personal quarrel between him and
those who tried to destroy the national govern
| ment and Union. He should live i'll the MEM
| cries of southern people down to the latest
| days of life as model of elevation above ran
cor as an example of magnanim;ty toward
opponents and charity toward enemies.
| When the potent voice of the people transfer
red him from the field to the Cabinet, and he
entered upon the duties Of the executive, he
found the elements of society. especially in the
South, almost in perfect upheaval, and then,
| if never BEFORE he discovered! that it, was one
| thing to conquer and pull down, and another
| to reconstruct and rellnite. The peoplesp paused
and waited the moding hand Of orderly and
creative authority, reconstruction beginning
| with hlm has not been fully accomplished,
| hence in my humble Judgment the necessity OF
! retaining the same pilot, the same patriotic
mind cxeeling in practical tact and alertness
of intellect and whose sternness of justice is so
| beautifully linked with mercy. His words,
LET us have peace, " and which he has SO ear
nestly endeavored to practice Will be a halo Of
glory casting its light athwart the ''valley
| where the shadows lie,'' for BLESSED are the
| peace Makers .lc Haitti ;g.f ,af ssz-t,,i.
This, the writer eonceives, is no time for new
counsels and new pilots, who, whatever their
wisdom and virtue may be. remain to be tes-
| ted. President Grants letter on the Third
Term is manly and noble, he has said enough,
and his political enemies should be satisfied,
the same may be said Of the apire pullers and
sore heads, in the Republican party, bat
whether or not, the people will attend 10 this
matter and in 1876 will declare as with 4 voice
of thunder who shall be president.
sq.,,s f., ONE OF THE PEOPLE.