The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1879-12-22


there is great deal OF echo 10 the Grant
boom but "less and less voice." 1t has
also been remarked that 1t takes several
more men than a national committee to
nominate candidate for the Presidency.
We think that this fact will become more
and more apparent before the Sd OF June
rolls round. There would be great deal
less doubt than there isas to the under
lying sentiment Of the public on the sub
ject Of third term II the Republican
press OF the country would speak out its
honest convictions, Teo many OF them
at this time are given to saying nothing on
the subject, for fear, as they would proba-
bly, say, of playing into the hands OF the
enemy. They make great mistake by
pursuing this policy. The Democracy
want the Republican party to nominate
General Grant, They see in the nomina-
ton the cry that will swallow up vast
amount of otherwise implacable prejudice
aRainstthem. They want Grant nominated,
and then their cry will be, let every
body unite to save the great conservative
tradition of the government against a
third term-the unwritten law OF the re-
public against anything like Cesarism in
the Presidency.
No party since the days Of Geo. Wash
inGtOn, who voluntarily laid down power
at the close of his second term, ever con-
templated, much less agitated, third
term for President-not even for Gen.
Jackson, who was a hero to his party sec.
oud only to Washington. The education
of the people has been wholly against a
proIongation OF the Presidency in one
mans hands, andft is against this educa-
ton that the Grant boom is now colliding,
and must still more seriously collide next
summer.
The argument we make on this subject
is this, that irrespective Of opinions in re-
gard to Grants administration while
President two terms, his nomination for a
third term will be most serious expert
ment for the Republican party to make
At best there are three doubtful States in
the North, viz; New York, New Jersey
and Indiana. To the elements oi doubt
already existing as 10 those States, a new
element would certainly be added in the
shape OF the natural aversion OF the
American people to third term. On the
part Of the Germans it is believed that this
aversion would be very decided, as they
have special prejudice against all ap-
pearanCes Of Imperialism in government.
No candidate can be elected President
who arouses this prejudice among the
Germans. Why, therefore, arouse it?
Why tamper with it2 What real neces-
sitv exists for so doing2
This is the question that We may as
well discuss now as at a later and more
dangerous day. Because the Republican
party, aided Just in the nick Of time by
returning prosperity, pulled through the
elections last fall, is 1t to be presumed
that it can be loaded down with a new
issue, involving an untried and very mo.
mentous experiment, and pull through
next fall. Are those who are forcing this
experiment on the party It's true and dis.
interested friends, or are they, very many
OF them, the Camerons OF the party, who
look upon politics as a matter Of COM
merce and business?
The Republicans can never forget that
twas during the administration Of Gen.
Grant the party became a minority party
in Congress, and barely escaped Presiden'
tial defeat in 1870. Under Hayes the
party has been coming up, and under
Hayes It has a fair show to regain ascend
enCy in the House next fall. During the
drst two years Of General Grants admin.
istration the Republicans had eighty.seveu
members from Massachusetts, New York
New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Indiana
Illinois and Michigan, and the Democrats
thirty-three members, and during his las
two years the relative situation had so fai
changed that the Democrats had eighty
one members and the Republicans Atty
eight Last year, under Hayes, the Re
publican membership from these States
rose TO Einety.three, and the Democratic
strength fell % toforty.fiye. This show
that General Grants name could not hol;
the strength Of the party together. Car
his name hold It next yearP We appea
tothe Republican press to seriously con
slider the answer TO this question.