The daily gazette., 1880-03-27
The Third Term.
From the National View.

oanuof ana seriousness, that there ex.
lists an ''unwritten law" that no man
shall be elected third time to the Of
flee of President of the United States
That law, if it may be said to be q
law, is unwritten in books or parch.
ment, but yet it exists as q principle,
innate, Unborn, imbibed in our moth
er's milk, breathed in the atmosphere
of our youth, instilled into our early
manhood, written there in indelible
characters, and only laid aside or re-
jeoted when political aspiration or
partisan fealty becomes more potent
than national patriotism and more de-
sirable than the interests of the great
masses of American people.
1t is not blind, unmeaning senti-
ment only, but is a principle born Of
American Independence, and is entire.
ly compatible with all the principles
underlying republican form of Gov.
ernment like ours.
Washington, in his farewell ad-
Dress" called the attention of the
American people to its existence, and
though applying it only to his own
personal case, yet evidently intended
to and did warn the people of dangers
that might arise through individual
aspirations for continual political pre-
ferment.
Jackson also, in his farewell address,
gave intimation that a Presidential
third term was not judicious nor po-
litic.
From the times Of Washington and
IaaEonr1 IN hn ao1u, Is.,I-
ing, patriotic men, have looked upon
the third election of any man, howev-
er great a statesman he might be, as
dangerous to the liberties or the best
interests of the Republic. Had this
sentiment-this unwritten law-no
foundation in reason or in precedent,
it might be set aside as idle fear, but
when the experience of France and
Spain, and other countries in their
various attempts to establish republi-
can forms of government, are cited, it
is wise for American statesmen and
American people to consider well
whether or not there is danger in de-
parting from the custom of century
of the life of our Republic.
The election of a President of the
United States is usually an accident of
circumstances. The popularity of a
man in some locality may seem to rem
der him the most available candidate
to secure the electoral vote of some
one or more States; or he may have
acquired national reputation as a
military leader or as a statesman,
which seems to render him a popular
candidate and likely to poll the entire
strength of his party ; or he may be
selected as a compromise candidate to
unite adiscordant element of his own,
or to draw strength from the opposing
party on account of discord therein.
In any event he is seldom regarded by
political friends or foes as more fitted
for the office than hundreds of other
men in his party, and his predominant
ing fitness is availability.
Whenever the question arises as to
the reelection of a President more
considerations enter into the case
than in first election. First of all.
his administration may have been
such as to command him favorably to
the masses Of people-from his sue
cessful administration from his i'm
partiality in enforcing the laws; or
from his distinguished ability-as the
leaders of his party may consider that
If they exhibit confidence enough in
their President to renominate him, the
canvass may be more easily and sue
cessfully carried on that If doubt of
the strength of the party or of the
precious wisdom OF its leaders be i'm
piled by making change. And in any
case leaders reckon upon the inactiy-
ity of the masses of voters to passive.
ly acquiesce in the powers that be,
rather than to put forth energy and
Independence of thought in selecting
and electing man of their choice.
But, when the question of a third
term arises, 1t is time for the people to
look well to all the causes which lead
to desire for such third term by par
tisan leaders.
1t is fact in the history of the
country that in every single instance
the second Presidential term has been
less satisfactory to the people-less
governed by patriotic motives on the
part of the President-than the first.
1t has, in all cases, been characterized
as more selfish, more in the interest of
controlling elements, more of the ma
chine type than the first term, This
is entirely natural. To be President
is the highest political aspiration of
an American. That object attained.
and successful administration ac-
complished, there is no further ambi-
tion, unless it be either for the general
good of the nation or for selfish ends.
No man who has ever been President.
certainly none in the last thirty years,
can have been vain enough to presume
that he alone was fit to administer
the affairs Of the nation as it's execu-
tive.
No one can have presumed that four
years, or even eight years, in the
White House can have given him
more knowledge than is possessed by
another whose lifetime has been spent
in the study and experience of the
politics of the nation.
lfhis object be the good of the ma
tion, there will have been marked
and d.unmistakable acts of self-sacrifice.
through the two terms made in their
interests. Such has not been seen. at
least since Washington's second term.
Ii the American people at large will
analyze well the motives of the leaders
who advocate third term, and the
means used to gain it, there will be
found certain unmistakable proofs
that to follow such motives and leaders