Lancaster daily intelligencer. [volume] (Lancaster, Pa.) 1864-1928, 1880-02-23
lanraster flltelligenrer.
MONDAY EVENING, FEB. 2s. 1880
Black on the Third Term.

MONDAY EVENING, FEB. 23, 1880.
Black on the Third Term.
Judge Black in the pages of the North
american Rericw replies in his usual
trenchant style to the argument of ex-
Senator Howe, previously published in
the Rericu, in favor of third presiden-
tial term. As We republish Judge Blacks
article, our readers do not need to be told
that he demollshes entirely Mr.. Howe's
argument finding his chief difficulty in
the weakness of its positions. 1t is en-
barrassing to meet an adversary whose
ideas are too shadowy and unsubstantial
to be readily comprehended, and Judge
Black had this trouble to deal with. 10
bowl over his antagonist was very light
work when the gist of his argument was
discovered. The editor of the Rerie,C in
pitting the Judge against the ex-senator
made poor exhibition of economy in the
management of his forces, or else he had
:, malicious pleasure in seeing one OF his
contributors torn to pieces. The judge
shakes the life out of the Howe rat in
short order, and proceeds to statement
of the reasons why there should be no
thought of third presidential term on
any hand among those who desire the
perpetuity of democratic government in
this country.
These reasons are not new, and could
not be in question which was debated
at the formation of our constitution and
which bears almost on it's face the rea-
sons which should limit the period dur
ing which anyone may be permitted to
occupy the chief magistracy. 1t is suf'
ticient for the people to know that Wash
ington, jefferson, Madison, Monroe and
jackson voluntarily retired after theil
second term of Office to satisfy them that
no other president should fail to observe
the unwritten law which these establish
ed. The reasons controlling them must
have been strong enough to be sound
and it does not need argument to induce
the country to accept their judgment
Upon faith in it the sentiment against
third term obtains its great strength
among the people. Those who choos'
to inquire into the reasons controlling tn
presidents in establishing a preceden
which only after hundred years of ma
tional life has president been fount
ready to disregard, will readily find it il
the obvious suggestion that, if no limit
fixed to the reelection of chief magls
trate, imminent danger exists that some
time or other an unscrupulOus man ma,
secure his reelection for life; and thel
there will be but another step to the es
tablishment of il hereditary monarchy
which step. as history tells us, is inevita
bly, taken.
1t seems to be very great waste o
time to discuss the propriety OF a thlr
term after the question has been so vel
settled by the precedent set by our presi
dents. If any question is determined, tha
is: and 10 man of ordinary good sens
and patriotism will want it re-Opened
The present effort to disregard the pre-
cetlcnt and to re-elect Grant, cannot b
based upon any belief that the allOwanc
Of third term would be of advantage t
oar democracy If there was any dOut
about the matter that doubt would b
promptly settled by decision agains
the third term: since such decision ca
work 10 injustice to anyone but the di!
appointed candidate for reelection an
his friends, while the evils predicted of
contrary policy affect the existence {
democracy in the nation. 1t is clea
enough that the advocates of
third term are those who want to destro
the republic and put in its place an en-
pire.
The most interesting position of Judg
Blacks article is that which he take
in concluding it, declaring himself for
monarchy and Grant rather than for
perverted republic. The false admins
tration of a government theoretical
free. acknowledging the peoples right
but always trampling upon them, swea1
ing obedience to the constitution, Will
never obeying it-such a hypocritic;
pretence of free government i
would drop and make king ant
if a king, he considers that Grar
would do as well, as any other, if not be
ter; being a military man; good hate
but yet not vindictive; not more stupi
than the average sovereign, and of eve
better morality; and with taste fl
nepotism, which is kingly virtue, and
greediness which is but natural in
king. To use the bayonet freely. whel
our constitution now prescribes the ba
lot, would also be a monarch'S cue, an
so Grant fondness for bayonet ru
marks him down proper kim
His friends ought to he delighted wit
the industry and acumen Judge Blac
has shown in discovering the king
qualities of their candidate, if they rea
ly intend to press him upon us upon Il
idea that the republic is played out al
that a change is needed which will gi'
us the " strong" government they wan
They will never get better recOmme
dation for their man to the kingly Off
than their enemy gives them, who pro1
ises to be their friend when they make
clear that free, honest constitution
republic is impossible. That they W
soon convince either Judge Black
the people Of this is scarcely pro
able. Nor, probably, will the re
pie accept even the limited l