The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1880-05-14
A PLEA FOR THE STRONGEST CAN
DIDATE.
From the Chicago Tribune May 8, 1850.

From the Chicago Tribune May 3, 1850.
1t is the duty OF every Republican voter TO
look the pending struggle over the Presidential
nomination squarely in the face. II will not
avail when the time for election comes il per-
sonal enthusiasm, hero-worship, Or machine
influences shall have committed the party to
an issue which the American people will not
approve, or to candidate who cannot carry
the essential and doubtful States.
Ii ought to be the ruling desire OF every Re-
publican voter 10 secure the nomination OF the
/ strongest candidate on the strongest platform.
| 1t is palpable. nevertheless, that number OF
selfappointed managers and re-pullers have
enlisted IN the cause OF thirdterm candidate
or q thrd-term issue with a determination to
impose their influence upon the Convention by
scheming and bullying, and IN utter disregard
OF the consequences.
No man IN his sober senses can honestly
contend that Gen. Grant. running on third
term platform, is the strongest candidate that
can be selected and the one most likely to unite
the whole Republican party. To MAINTAIN
such proposition would be TO ignore the
abundant signs Of opposition in every Repub-
llcan State in the [ MON against the issue which
Grants name is conspicuously and nseparably
associated.
The opposition TO third term may be called
a mere sentiment, and the Apprehension that
issue excites may be sneered at as superstl-
ton. but that sentiment and that superstition
are universal and all-pervading. The dread of
third term is historical IN this country. The
Constitutional Convention determined 20 the
very last to limit the tenure of the Chief Mag
istracy by the written organic law. The State
OF New York ratified the Constitution on the
Goth OF July, 17S8, only upon the condition
that no citizen should be eligible for third
term. This principle was accepted by the first
President Of the Republic, the Father OF his
Country, who refused TO entertain the propo-
stion to elect him to third term. Jefferson
followed and emphasized Wasbingtons posi-
ton, and the prohibition o. third term passed
into the unwritten constitution OF the Repub
lic,--into that kind of law which to this day
governs the constitutional Government Of
Great Britain. SO strong hold has this an
tagonism to a third term taken upon the
American people that, if the issue we're separ-
ated from all personal bearing and submitted
on its own merits to popular vote, it may be
safely maintained that $4,000 out OF every
million votes would be recorded against it.
Who shall say that, with the 1873 Electoral
votes OF the Solid South absolutely pledged
against the Republican nominee whoever he
may be- it Will be safe or prudent to nominate
any man weighted down by such an issue as
third.termlsm
The strong attachment OF the American PEG
pie to Gen. Grant is and has been fully conced
ed Ii has been abundantly demonstrated by
the popular welcome he has received everywhere
that he is now regarded as the first citizen OF
the Republic. All ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS and
Republicans, Union men and former Rebels
feel a National pride in him as he stands to-
day before the world This will continue to be
Grants position unless he shall become active
~ identified with scheme against the unwrit-
ten law of the Nation prohibiting third term
and unless, by return TO political struggle for
Office, he shall challenge the revival Of criti-
cism upon the mistakes. abuses. and scandal.
Of bis second term. 1t is probable that if
Grant were now candidate for second term
ue NOulu nave tue Spontaneous support OF tue
Republican party. and that the country might
agree TO condone and forget the errors OF a
former Administration in the hope Of reforms
based upon previous experience and good faith
in the future. But when these former scandals
are supplemented by desperate effort to
force third term upon an unwilling people,
the experiment will be hazardous at the best.
In case OF failure, Gen. Grant will have for
feited in large degree the high position Sn2
distinguished honors he holds Def ore the world.
and he will then curse the very men as bis
worst enemies who are now goadng him on
to possible destruction in the hope that they
may use aim in the desperate event Of success.
a candid estimate OF the chances Of success
with the third-term issue should prompt every
man who is sincerely attached to Gen. Grant,
and every man who heartily desires the tr
umph Of the Republican party, TO use his in
huence to put away an unpopular and hazard
Gus issue, and thereby save Grant from false
friends and save the party from the menace of
defeat
a-gps- -.