The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1881-02-16

TOTAL eIuTess ~ ~ ga go ~ ~
Increase over t,S' sSdSS eS
Total earnings from other i1uTctH" 'r,S ~ 80
InCTeaHj over lSIg"." 1'o'-' -
Total gross earnings from all sources S,?aS o.
Total increase over IsiJ,,,.'"""''''' st'O1oOuV ~
,
The Wheeling INEELLIGENcER Is opposed
10 lhird.termism in the Presidency, but Is
in favor OF an unlimited number or terms
in all other offices, VIII the INTELLE'
GEyoRR give US q single good reason Tor
this distinction? We fail TO discover any
Perhaps it can enlighten us.-qyIT COun'
~ Star.
When the Star sets out to CritiCise the
sentiments Of others 1t should begin by
quoting them correctly, Here is what We
said:
"a number Of the Republicans Of steu:
benville have held a meeting and passed
a resolution against third.termism IN the
local offices. We are opposed to third;
tsrmism in the Presidency OF the United
States, but 1t Is all right j you have a,goou
local officer to give him hall a dozen
terms"
Our respected cotemporary will not
deny that there is very essential differ
enCe between eleotinga man hall dozen
of times to be Clerk Of Tyler county and
elec!ing a man President Of the United
States time after time, The one has little
or no machinery at his command to per.
petuate his succession, while the latter has
an almost infinite amount The one
must succeed mainly by hls.merlts, while
the other can rely heavily upon the no.
bic army Of office holders, whose numbers
are increasing each year. The County
Clerk Of Tyler does not command the
army and navy, and does not hold the
bread and butter Of thousands and tens
o. thousands Of persons Engaged in the
civil service OF the country, In. his gilt.
Were the Presidency limited to one
term, say Of six years, it would tend
greatly 10 promote personal independ.
enCe and purity In the administration Of
the whole executive branch Of the Gov.
eminent. President Hayes voluntarily
cut himself of from second term, and
he has given the country an excellent adj
ministrAtion, Most Presidents are tempted
to inthgue for a second term. There Is a
political saying to the effect that no man
Is superior to the PreSidenCy-that Is, su'
perior to It's allurGments either for first
or second term. General Grant was not
superior TO its allurements for third
term. Thomas Jefferson would have been
glad to have received third nomination.
Martin Van Bureh and John Tyler were
bent on second nomination, AZ also was
Frank Pierce. Henry Clay and Daniel
Webster devoted a large part OF their
public lives to promoting their chances
for the Presidency.
The allurements Of the office are vast
indeed, and grow upon the inCumbents OF
the position, They do not relish the idea OF
returning again TO the quiet walks OF life,
TO become an exhaled flower that has
been "once and forever pressed" This Is
especially the case II they are comparative
ly young and ambitious men. 1t Is posi-
BILE to conceive that we may some day
strike the wrong man for President.
Even the Sacred College" have occasion.
ally struck the wrong man for Pope.
Once break down the barrier TO a third
term and the next line Of defence may be
carried by assault. Why not2 Why not
a fourth term? The present unwritten
law Of limited succession would lose its
grip. No one can say what might be the
possibilities Of the future.
What Is the necessity anyway for third.
termism in the Presidency? The routine
duties OF the office are largely performed by
trained subordinates. We need only a wise
and Trustworthy public man at the head
OF the Government, who will execute the
laws in good faith. Let him thus exc.
cute them In good faith, free from all intri.
que for q second or third term, and retire
at the end Of six years. To give one man
two terms makes other Presidents feel as
II they are sighted II put of with one
term. Human nature resiSts such q slight
and seeks to aVoldit ONCE create a third
term and It becomes glittering prize, like
the years Of 81. Peter in the pontiGcal
chair. The strife will be not only for a
second but third term.
''Lsad us not into temptation but de.
liver us from evil" is the way the great
petition reads. Let 1t be understood that
no body Is to be tempted with third
term In the Presidency Of mis- country.