The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1880-02-25

narrowly limits his powers rnd takes care
that. while he observes his oath, he shall
be no more than head steward or a chief
clerk. When.a citizen, no matter how
eminent, seeks this Office with no pretence
of the publicigood, with no excuse of legi-
innate premotion. against the will OF bis
party and in violation of one of the most
important political traditions. he must
make haste to give the people reasons to
justify his course, or he must expect all
good men-all men who love liberty. all
who wish to preserve our form of govern
ment as heritage for their children. to
regard him as one who entertains unhoiy
and dangerous designs, and who, ii his
selfish purpose could be successful, would
not be held by the narrow limits .ot the
constitution.
ave do not now say that the ex-Presldent
is in this bad category; but we warn h!m
andshis friends that unless he speaks
fauiekly. unless he either peremptorily
withdraws himself from q canvass which
| diaoraces him. or gives to the people some
/ now unsupported reason why they should
frust him, public opinion all over the
country will justly settle down to the be-
lief that his motives are not those of a
lover Unconstitutional liberty and that his
personal ambition is dangerous to our in
| situations.
| What does the ex-President want with
| third term2 Let him make answer
quickly, for the country is asking him. and
| it would like to think we'll of him. IL
values his good fame more highly, it would
seem, than he does himself. It read with
pride and qualification his words to the
Chinese Vieeroy:-'I have had all tbs
i honors that can be or should be given tc
lany citizen. [ have held the Office of Pre-
sident as long as it has ever been held By
II any man. | have no claims TO the office
There are others who have earned the
honor, who are worthy. and to them 1t be-
longs, not to me, And now they see hin
q candidate among the ruck of candidates
and allowing his friends to manipulate con
ventions and bribe delegates for him with
the patronage of States. 1t is not nice. Ii
is not safe. The country will not consent Il
subordinate all its interests to the personal
ambition of any man, and it ought not to-
We will not hurt the sensitive feelings OF
our scholarly contemporary. the CONNER
IcldE Adrertsser. by using the phrase
"Ce 5arism," which SO af1icts him. Bu
we advise him TO drop his Fr0ade for .
moment and take up his Gibbon, and b,
will fad there pregnant passage showing
how republics cease to be republics. The
fine theory of republic insensibly vanish
ed" writes the historian; 1.-THE tradition
of Republican maxims was gradually oblit
Grated" The Greek historians of the agt
of the AntoDines observe with malicious
pleasure that although the sovereign o.
Rome, 10 compliance with an obsolete pre-
judice, abstained from tee name of king
he possessed the full measure of rega
Ipower. The contemporaries of Severus
in the enjoyment of the glory of his reign
forgave the irregularities By which it has
been introduced. Pos,erity, who expert
enced the fatal effects CT his maxims anC
example, justly considered bia IS thu
principal author of the decline of the Ro
man Empire"
!! The Herald would be happy if thes
words had 10 application to the presen
discussion