The Cheyenne daily leader. [volume] (Cheyenne, Wyo.) 1870-1884, 1880-02-14
THE THIRD TERM.

public sentiment against a third term,
which prevails in the country. Politi-
clans have made light of it; Grant par
tisans have scoffed at it as a mere
political bugbear utterly unworthy of
notice, but Notwithstanding all it still
lives, and, like B%anquo's ghost, will not
down.
The great mas of respectable people
in the United States still honor the pre-
cedent set by Washington, they cleave
to the old fashioned notion that two
terms are all that one man can enjoy
with safety to the existence of the re-
public.
prejudice against a third term
is well founded. Had Washington ac-
copied a third nomination and been
elected, as he would in all probability
have been, he would have died about
the middle of his term. Had this oc-
Cured no man could have known his
true sentiments, and to-day thousands
would have regarded the Father of his
country as a Caesar or Napoleon, in all
but ability; but far more deplorable
than the loss Of his reputation would
have been the precedent established.
Jefferson might perhaps have served a
third and fourth term, although Adams,
Washington's immediate successor,
could not. The revolutionary presi-
dents might have safely been trusted
with this long tenure of office, but after
the time of Monroe, the latest Of them,
the scene changes. A corrupt bargain,
it is alleged, between John Quincy
Adams and Henry Clay placed the for
mer in the white house and made the
latter secretary of state. From this
time the heated political sentiment
which has since characterized our pres
idential elections began. "The era of
good feeling departed with Mr.. Mon
roe. Jackson succeeded the second
Adams, with almost dictatorial power,
which he held for eight years, then
Indicating the presidential chair in favor
Of his political ward, Martin Van Blu
rem. Had Washington accepted, and
died while occupying a third term; had
other presidents initiated, as they prob
ably would have done, his example,
Andrew Jackson might, if he so willed,
have iired president and died %bequeath-
ing the Office to whomsoever he would.
Had such been the previous condition
of affairs the nation would have been
thoroughly prepared to accept a dictator
when passing through the terrible or
deal of civil war. Any political error
becomes more and more dangerous by
long continuance. Washington would
not have become dictator or emperor
had lie accepted Il third nomination.
Jackson might not have possessed suffi-
Client influence to have been crowned,
though he could have held his position
Of chief magistrate for Lie. But, had
our first and greatest president not have
set the glorious example he did, we feel
justified in the declaration that the
great military chieftain of the late war
might, had he been SO inclined, have
been elected, ut least, as in the case of
Napoleon, under somewhat similar On
ditions, first consul for life.
Any principle based upon facts, upon
human nature, and upon past expert
ence, is not an Illusion. The third term
prejudice is based upon all these.
Should Gen. Grant be a third time
elected, and the barriers so long exist
ing against executive ambition broken
down, no man living can predict the
ultimate consequences. His successor,
If a popular man, will also serve three
terms. In the course of a few terms of
this duration we will be involved in an
other great foreign or domestic a
Should the struggle terminate success
fully the president, although his third
term may have expired, will be elected
to a fourth and fifth. In the depres-
sion consequent on the war, which
always affects the working classes at
such a time, great discomfort will pre-
vail; strikes and riots will be in order
all over the land; the people, afraid to
elect a new man, will again elect to the
presidency one who has filed the posi-
ton many years, thus virtually making
him president for life. Thus will com-
mence tire reign of the first monarch,
and such will be the ultimate result of
q departure from the precedent set by
Washington.