The New York herald., 1876-07-24
Governor Tilden and tho One Term
Principie-His Duty and His OppOr-

the democratic canvass if the Governor will
only take advantage of the developments of
the campaign and the mistakes of the adj
ministration to present the democratic cause
in its best aspect. The difference between
Hendricks and himself on the financial
question, which now alarms so many demo-
Gratis, will enable the Governor if the matter
is properly handled, to win strength in the
Eastern and Northern States manly,
ringing declaration in favor of the ma
tional credit and against all chcanery will
rally to his side the conservative sentiment
of the North. On the Southern question
the Hamburg butchery gives him rare
opportunity. He has the sympathy OF the
white men of the South, and his friends
count on the united Southern States to vote
the democratic ticket. He can therefore say
to the South with all Kindness and with the
assurance that his counsel will be heard,
that as President he would protect all races
and all classes, black as well as white. The
attitude Of Lamar on this subject is that of
a statesman, and the Governor will be wise
if he initiates Lamar's example in his letter
of acceptance.
The Governor will. we are confident,
take ground in favor of the one term
principle in the Presidential office. Here
is his opportunity for eclipsing the
noble pledge which Governor Hayes has
made to the people, Governor Hayes said
that if he should be elected nothing could
persuade him to be candidate for q second
term but this is simply the expression of a
personal preference and opinion. Mr.. Til
den has an opportunity of going further He
may say that if he is elected he will in his
first message, or his inaugural address, rec
ommend Congress to submit a one term
amendment to the constitution to the vote of
the State Legislatures. The difference be-
tween the positions of the two candidates
would then be this:-Hayes would have
made a promise which he could
not break without sacrificing his per-
sonal honor, but which would set
tie no principle and would not biud
any President hereafter, while Tilden
would have introduced a reform which
would be as enduring as the government
itself The passage of an amendment to the
constitution of the United States giving a
President one term only, either for four or
six years, could be easily effected if the in
cumbent of the Presidency should advocate
the change. The people approve it, and
three-fourths of the States would be willing
to enforce it. The principal obstacle to the
adoption of the one term amendment in the
past six years has been Grant.
If, wIen the republican conventions Of
Pennsylvania, New Hampshire and other
States declared against third term and
South Carolina declared for it, General Grant
had boldly asked for a one term enactment
in the national compact it would have been
carried with whirlwind. This would
have been the true answer to the
charge of CRsarism. But Grant had
not the nerve to assume this position,
and in his letter to General Harry White he
actually employed the old sophistry, that the
people ought to have the right to re-elect
their President as often as they choose.
They have the right, for the sovereign power
rests with people, and they may create a
king if they please But Grant forgot that
constitutions are meant to define the extent
and province of popular government, and
that when a nation forms republic it must
embody its purpose in established laws.
For the people to voluntarily deprive them
selves of the power to re-elect a President
is no more o surrender of right than for men
to prohibit themselves from creating die
tator or consul for life. Freedom is impossi-
bic without law, and the sophistry of Grant,
,f aI x, ,tc
would make the whole constitution itself
violation of the right of the people to do
whatever they choose. He did not
save the Union in the late war upon
an argument so fimsy. But Cesarism is
not living element in politics now. 1t has
no power except that of revenge. This elec-
ton offers to both of the Presidential can
didates the opportunity to destroy Cesar
ism, and we trust that it will be used with
patriotic firmness. Governor Hayes has
nobly declared what he will do if elected,
and Governor Tilden should surpass that
personal promise by pledging himself to an
official act which will secure permanent
reform. The democratic party cannot afford
to be silent about the causes of Cnsarism
after it has been so loud in denouncing its
effects.
1t is strong point in the favor of Hayes
that what he said in his letter on the one
term idea was an implied rebuke to Grant,
which it required some political courage to
make, considering that Grant still controls
the federal patronage, which is so potent in
a Presidential election. Mr. Tilden would
risk nothing by similar declaration, hos
tility to Grantism being i'll the regular line
of his canvass. On the contrary, in doing
so he would follow the sound precedents of
better days. Many Presidents and candi-
dates for the Presidency did this before the