Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1876-02-29
The Third Term.
speech M Hon. w. r. Frye.

There was very interesting debate in the Ma.
tionsl House on the proposed amendments to the
presidential term (snce defeated) in which Mr..
Frye, representative from this district participant
ed with great credit. In the course of his re-
marks, he said he saw no necessity for any amend
ment Of the constitution on the subject. lie then
made the following remarks the press, the third
term and Cpsarism -
Why is Il, then, that Congress here 10 day is
Offering 10 the people this sixteenth article for
their adoption IL has been whispered in ms ear
why IL Ia done. The power OF the press OF this
country is IN overwhelming power; il Is almost
omnipotent Since have been in Congress / have
learned that II ilegisaes on the floor of this hall
again and again; that its influence controls my
vote and yours. oh, that II might be always a
power for good power for righteousness, a power
for justice aud humanity But u /. power. aud
as such must be recognized IN the land
Now, SIR, a paper, powerful, IN Hs resources
wonderful, In the ability OF It's management mar
yelous, one paper Of the metropolitan press, sent
out one day through the country-seut out a cry
of Caesar, Cesar and from that day I'LL bOH
that ghost will not down ut any mans bidding
That raven "stil lie sitting" there, and no power
10 be able TO drive him from the perch where
that great paper put him.
Bdt, cir, did tbs people OF the country fear the
ghost of C.csai1sms Did they fear that \ new
Cromwell had sprung up: | tell you no. The
press in that case WAS ahead Of the honest toling
psope; Ihey know IL you look for the highest type
of the purest integrity youwlll ind II in the officers
of the army aud navy of the United States, anu
when they heard that voice OF tho greatest living
soldier saying 10 them again aud again IN the
simplest language: 81 have no thought OF third
term, they believed him They trusted him a.
do, and the third term "spook" was only myth.
When his voice came To them they required no
AFFIDAVIT, no solemn tiles OF oath nom the loved
commander. The great scare seemed TO Affect our
democratic friends alone. They trembed Tor the
safety OF the Republic, and CTsarism is their hor-
llOle nightmare.
True, Thsve met politician. now aud then out
side or the democratic party who quiyerod Win
lear Of third term and talked about this immense
patronage. What patronage was II: Why sir,
In my city oil p 100 inhabitants, there u one led
eral OfllCe holder. suppose the President oil the
United states sends 10 him and tells him 10 secure
delegates from that section II the State In ma
tiousl convention, what fearful results would iol'
low Iwhy, he has hardly the power OF an ordinary
citizen. His once hampers him; his voice would
nos be felt. Whose patronage IS III VINO sp'
pointed that man 10 his federal Office Why, sir,
did; not the President OF The United states. The
President s.Ens his commission, but We under
ttEnd perfectly well that We the fen5eteh'N1shss
Of the people, really appoint those officers. Ihcy
come 10 Us; they look TO u.s. and II anybody has
patronage IL IL members Of the House aud senate
who are close 10 these Office holders, whom lhcy
can touch and handle and control IN their own as
ircis. There Is the danger II there Is danger any
where.
ASH have already stated, have submitted the
minority report simply because u seemed To me
the House would adopt either tnat or that OF me
majority, and believed for reasons have given
In this feeble, Oh hand mRnneTwiihoui Any special
preparation or thought, that u any proposition on
mis- subject was be submitted 10 the people THIS
was preferable in all parts 10 the other. am Tree
TO say ( the amendment should be adopted shaII
still vote against the adoption OF the JOINT TesOu
lions. because think We shall Ind amer the re-
publican party have elected their next president,
man chosen from those We respect and love, the
man Of our choice, wise, sagaciouf and pAtriouc
our third term goblin Is then damsed forever AUD
ever. and after that damnAtou you may propose
vour Constitutional amendments 10 the people aud
hardly man, white or black, nstural!Eed or ma.
tive wosld Ice scared enough 10 vote FOX II.