The Weekly Kansas chief. [volume] (Troy, Kan.) 1872-1918, 1880-02-12
Grant VS.. Washinxton.

Grant VS.. Washinxt0n.
The advocates of third term for Grant are
very indignant with George Washington, for
having set an example against third term
that has found solid place in the hearts
of the American people. We notice that our
long time ago friend, VIM. N. Ampt, Esq,
of Cincinnati, has actually been writing series
Of articles for the Commercial, quoting from the
debates of the Convention that framed the Con-
stitution, and from other documents, to prove
that there is no Constitutional prohibition
against President being elected for third
term, and that no such thing was contemplated
by the Convention. This is unnecessary troub-
le. Nobody has ever claimed that there was
such provision but what is claimed is, that
Washington refused a third term, aud expressed
himself against it, aud the example was followed
by Jefferson and Jackson, and has become so
sacred with the people, that it amounts almost
to unwritten law. Mr.. Ampt is aware that in
many cases, custom or usage is accepted as law.
But, Mr. Ampt exclsims, he doesn't want George
Washington to amend the Constitution for him, {,
without giving him the privilege Of voting upon
it; and he doesn't want George Washington to
amend the Constitution as to prohibit Gen.
Grant, the savior of the country, from having
third term.
1t is dn nndeuiable fact, that Gen. Grant rem
dered the country great service, and is entitled
to, as lie has received, the deepest gratitude.
But be is not quite a God. A comparison be-
tween Washington aud Grant will not altogeth-
er obscure the lustre of the former. The Ameri-
can Revolution was o small affair, compared
with the Rebellion; but when we remember
that the country was also small, the relative
proportions made the Revolution the bigger of
the two. In the Revolution, it was the Ameri-
can Colonies that were without place among
the nations of the earth, without ships, armies,
manufactures, money, or credit. That was the
only thing back of Washington, while opposed
to him was the most powerful aud wealthy ma
ton on the globe. In the Rebellion, it was the
South that labored nder these disadvantages,
while the Government had the power, the stand
ing and the credit among the nations. Wash
ington and his army were mouths without pay,
without clothing, without munitions, and al
most without provisions. Washington was com
PEELED to retreat for days and WEEKS, unable to
strike an effective blow or make effective resist
ance, because of lack of men and munitions.
He crept away with them in to tile Businesses OF
the wilderness, where he saw them freezing and
starving. He wept end prayed for them in the
stiffness of the night, but could not relieve them.
He was as careful to guard against losing a
man, as one starving is to save every crumb and
crust, because he had no men to spare, and val
ned the life of every one. He did not complain
or importune the Government for more money
and more men, but asked only enough to pay
his personal expenses. He did not become not
ed as a present taker; and when he became
President, ne did not choose his advisers and
bosom companions from among prize fighters,
horse jockeys, dog trainers, plunderers and gam
blers Such was Washington, as a savior.
Let ms look upon the other picture. Grant al
ways had all the men, provisions and muni-
tions that he could desire. He was backed by
strong Government, that was lavish in its snp
plies. He was constantly calling for more men,
and receiving them, and sacrificing them by
thousands without the slightest compunc-
tion, to accomplish ends that he had set his
head upon. He never hesitated to ask for more
money-he was not getting enough pay, and
could not live as he wished When President,
he importuned Congress for more pay. He new
er refused o present, but received them to the
amount of hundreds of thousands of dollars. He
surrounded himself with gang that made the
Government a disgrace. Since becoming Presi-
dent, be has squandered more money than would
have sufficed to make George Washington mil
lionaire. Aud still he begs for a third term, be-
cause he wants more money, and more power, to
enable him to live in style that he could de-
sire. This is Grant, the savior.
While some object to George Washington
amending the Constitution SO as to prevent
Grant from holding third term, Others object
to abolishing George Washington, to enable
Grant to stand as the grandest figure in the
history of the nation.