National Republican., 1880-03-20
Tie Third Term.
WAsnrSGToN, ID. G., March IS, 1880.

WAsH1SGToN, d. C., March is, 1880.
10 The Editor Of The National Republican,
SIR: The pother about tile "third.term"
is one of tho weakest aud silliest pretexts ever
put forward to subsorvo u political purpose.
The objections made 10 third term may
be adduced against tho second term Of Pres
ident, rs well rs against his third term,
but IN either of such cases arc applicable Only
when tho occupant of the Presidential chair
seeks = ro.ecction while still in Office These
Injections are, first. the person who is Presi-
dent, dcsrous OF being reelected, may be more
interested in accomplishing that result than
in promoting tho public good, aud may, there
foro, neglect tho National welfare while seek
ing to advance his own personal ends. His
usefulness ms n pubic officer will thus DO
diminished, If not destroyed, and lie will be
receiving pay for services which he does not
properly perform. Second, not only may he
neglect his duties, hut ho may usu tho i'm.
mense power and influence of his position TO
further his own schemes; ho may pros
tituto his high Office TO the base uses"
of his private intcrests-.ho may en-
ploy his vast patronage to secure his
ra.election. BY skilllullv dispensing this
patronage he may array under his standard a
great multitude. ready to write, speak, labor
aud perhaps to fight for him; with such II
band Of united supporters lie would possess
immense advantage over any competitor. In
this manner, by an unscrupulous exercise OF
his authority, ho could possibly secure his re-
election against all opposition. Thus tho
choice Of tho people might be defeated by n
horde Of oilice.holders, paid from tho public
Treasury the popular will thwatcd by au un.
principled use of the peoples money.
third evil may result. The incumbent,
successful in having himself rcchosen, conf.
dent Of his power aud pleased with the cxcr-
else ofit may become unwilling to quit his
position. lie may seek to perpGtuatc his ten.
ure of Office indefinitely, or for life. All
admit that these are very serious evils posi-.
bic to result from thrco successive terms of
the same man az President. but all must per.
ceive that they arc not to DO feared whore
u Presidential torn intervenes between
the second and third elections of n
candidate. Such would be tho case wcrc
General Grant chosen ut the ensuing election.
Tho protense that the evils mentioned or
similar ones would result from the re-eloc-
tion of that world-renowned soldier, is an iu-
suit to The intelligence of tho American people
How strongly soevcr some of our citizens may
desire tho election Of this or that distinguished
statesman none of them, we arc persuaded are
such silly birds as to bo caught by tho chat oil
that ridiculous pretcnsc--Chaf with never a
grain of wheat neither are any of them such
dwelling idiots as to believe that man in
private life can avail himself of Presidential
patronage to secure his recollection, or that u
person out of Office can employ any means,
fair or foul, to keep himself in.
The "third.torm' cry uttered by tho New
York Herald and journals OF that ilS sounds
appropriately enough, but it Is really pitiablo
to see reputable Republicans endcavoring to
deludo their political brethren by Il subteriuge
that should shame honorable Democrats
Away, thon, with tho bug-bcar of a third term
which is rs unsubStantial rs "tho baselos;
fabric of vision" LLOYD,