The Rutland daily globe. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1873-1877, 1875-02-10
s. THIRD TERM"

We regret that Congress has refused to
place itself on record in opposition TO
"third term" We presume that the re-
fusal was based upon the proposition that
the idea of third term" was mere sem
timental abstraction, and that there is no
danger, either now or hereafter, Of any
practical endorsement If third term pol
icy ly the people. We believe such to be
the fact We canlot conceive of any pos
sble state of affairs, under which third
presidential term will be possible. But,
unfortunately there is a large number of
well meaning persons, republicans too.
who are apprehensve that such design IS
either now, OF may be hereafter. entertain
ed They believe, also, and We entirely
concur in the sentiment that, to use the
language of the resolution, 'the election
" of a President for third term is against
the traditions of the country and danger
"ous to the liberties of the people," They
believe, and we concur therein, that, in the
absence of law, the precedents set by Wash
luStOuy CChCioOiy NAotiooht AAchAcS eHN
Jackson have all the force of law. They
go further, and we believe that the major
ity of the country is in full accord with the
sentiment, and feel that if precedents are
to be departed from, it should be accom-
pished by constitutional amendment Inn
iting eligibility 20 the presidency to single
term and that Of six years. They are pretty
apprehcnsive of the use of official patron
age and of the influence of office holders in
primary and other nominating conventions,
and sec therein a terrible weapon which
may be, as it has been with both parties,
weed for the nnrnnsn nf sacurinu - nreei-
ence to second term, they view with an
apprehension almost amounting to timidity
the bare possibility of such patronage or in-
fluence being used in favor of a third term.
We believe this last apprehension to be u
a vast number Of intelligent persons. The
reality of the existence of this apprehen-
sion was sufficiently attested In the last
election. Why, then, not allay the fear
1t would be simple and easy thing to do.
The concurrent passage of the resolution
alluded to, or any other similar one, would
make a third term an impossibilty under
any and all circumstances, whether the idea
of third term was entertained as a prob
able reality or considered as the veriest fig
ment of the widest Imagination. Call the
idea of third term, and its possibility, q
sentimental political abstraction, and such
we believe it to be, and where is the harm
of regulating, by solemn resolve of the
American Congress, the idea, the senti-
mental abstraction ? II the apprehensions
of a timid people can be allayed by such a
course, is 1t not right that they should be
treasured 1t would be no new thing un-
der the sun, for Congress to resolve, and
then resolve again, relative to sentimental
political distractions. The history of
Congress, for the past quarter of a century
is full of these resolutions OH sentimental
political distractions. Surely ne great
wrong has been wrought thereby. No
harm can come of such resolves, but q re-
tusal to consider or pass them might be
fraught with great danger. Ifthe idea of
third term is entertained, either as an i'm
mediate or remote possibility, what would
an individual or the people have reason to
infer from the refusal of Congress to con-
slider or act on the subject +? Clearly, that
the idea was not very reprehenslble or the
possibility unpleasant to contemplate. Such
refusal might convert the sentimental alb.
straction into vital question of policy.
Does any one desire to see the hope of sue.
cess based upon the expectation of a popu.
lar endorsement of third term policy I
We trow not. We trust that Congress may
as it can, retrace its steps, take square
vote on the question and set this third term
idea at rest whether as sentl
mental political abstraction, an idea of per
sonal ambition, or a possible ''principle" OF
party politics.