Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1880-02-27
Judge Black on the Third Term,

principle, which wae published in
the February number Of the Re
view. After quoting the resolution
upon the subject, passed by the
House of Representatives in 1875,
Judge Black says: "rhis is a res
olution passed by the House of
Representatives on the 18th day OF
December, 1875. 1t was offered by
Mr.. Springer of Illinois, after CON
sultation with leading friends Of the
principle, and was carried imme-
diately and almost unanimously,
being opposed by the votes of only
eighteen members out of two hun
dred and fifty-onc, II received the
support and appreciation of all par
ties. Men who quarrelled bitterly
upon all other political subjects
were Of one heart and one mind,
when it came to be a question
whether the custom established by
Washington and other Presidents.
of retiring after their second term,
ought to be respected or could be
safely departed from"
Judge Black next takes up and
refutes the arguments made by
Howe. He quotes Thomas JciIcr-
sons opinions upon the two-tcrm
rule: Jefferson in letters addressed
to the legislatures of Vermont, New
Jersey, and Pennsylvania, dated on
the 10th day of December, 1907,
said:
"That should lay down my
charge at q proper period is us
much u duty as to have borne il
faithfully. lfsome termination to
"the services of the Chief Magis-
"trntc be not fixed by the Constitu-
"tim, or supplied by practice, his
"ollice nominally for years, will in
"lact become for life; and history
Shows how easily that dcgenerates
Onto IN Inheritance. Believing
THAT u representative government
Irresponsible at short periods of
election is that which produces the
greatest sum Of happiness to man
kind, ! feel il duty to do no act
(which shall essentially impair that
isplinaille, erd s,l,a.,ld ,,uwilngly
"be the person who, disrcgarding
"tho sound precedent set by an
"illustrious predecessor, should fur
"nish the first example of pro-
"longation beyond the second term
,"of office"
Judge Black shows that Madison,
Monroe, Jackson, and other pres
idcnts,, fully concurrcd in tile
opinions expressed by Jefferson
upon this subject.
"ln the matter before us,' SAYS
Judge Black, "it should be made
plain to every creature, that long
continuance of supreme executive
power in one hand is not only per
ilous TO free institutions, but per
fectly certain TO destroy them,
\ "Whoro the Chief Mag
istratc N vested, Us our il, will
great power, liable to gross abuse
il there is no law or practice which
forbids him To be reelected, he cal
remain in Office for life Tie In,
the appointment Of all officers, the
making of all public contracts, aut
Il veto upon all legislation, beside,
the command Of the army nm,
navy, by an unserupulous use y
these means he can coercc not only
his horde Of immediate Deepen
dents, but he can control The cor
pomtions and become the mastpi
of all the rings. put the business %
all clusses under his feet, comup
the vcnal, frighten The timid, m,
check allamhitions but bis own.
Judge Black asks "What II III,
remedy? How shall We avert til,
dire calamitics with which we III,
threatened? Tho answer come.
from the graves of our fathers: BY
the frequent election Of new men
Other help or hope tor the saliva
ton Of free government there i
mono under heaven.
~ FREQ democratic republican