The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1881-01-28
FREDERICK W. BAKER, Editor.
,trYA Strong Government.

As the time is fast approaching for the inau-
guration Of a new President and possibly for
n change in our system of government, so far
rs Republicanism is concerned, it may not be
out of place TO reflect upon the problems be-
fore us,o There seems to be no doubt that the
Republican party desires strong govern
ment Their conduct in the past and their
tendencies in tho future give ample assurance
that they are dissatisfied with the present
state of affairs, Such has ever been the
avowed opinion of the enemies of liberty in
this country from thedays of Hamilton down;
but it has never been so clearly enunciated
as by the school to which the Hon. George s.
q Boutwell, belongs. One distinguishing char
acterisic of these strong government men is
their fancy for unlimited reflections. 1t is
whichp positively and in express terms forbids
such reflections But there is such thing
rs a tacit understanding that there should he
no such innovation. ..-...-... ... H
The fathers of our Republic, comforting to-
gether over the defects in the instrument,
concluded that ii was best that there should
he q ratification, or it would fall through al
together. Washington, by the silent influ-
ence of his own illustrious example, put the
seal of disapprobation upon third term, re-
firing, rs he did, at the close of his second
term, amid the applause of n wondering
world. Nay, he was not altogether dumb on
the occasion of his declining third election,
for the Representatives of the people, speak
ing for themselves and the people, declared
that this action of his added new lustrc to n
character already unrivalled in virtue.
Jefierson's course with respect to n third
term seems to have been in accordance with
that of Washington. To The re.eligibility OF
the President he never ceased to object, and
his biographer states that had not the exam
pies of Washington and Jefferson done much
to impress the public mind with the import
ance of narrowing down the Office of Presi-
dent to two terms, that it might have become
an office for life.
Mr.. Madison retired from Office at the end
OF his second term, and nothing was said of a
'thiiu ttlhl III Ills N1lSS WI hOIlIbt tlitl
likewise, after successful administration of
eight years. r.....
Jackson seems to have been as faithful TO
this time-honored custom as any of his prede.
cessors, but he doubted the stability of such
examples as we have had in the past He
proposed an amendment to the Constitution
which should put an express limitation on the
right of reelection, but the Representatives
would not agree to it.
When Gen. Grant was pressed for q third
term, in the summer of 1876, the House OF
Representatives administered pointed re-
buke to such proceeding.
That the two-tem rule is cocval with the
government that the practice has invariably
been for the Chief Magistrate of the United
States to have only two terms is undenablc
and notorious. Certainly if the rule of pre-.
scription is of any binding effect, it must be
i'll this case 1t becomes us now, in view OF
all these things, to ask whether the incoming
administration may not be identical with
Grantism. 1t has been asserted that Gen
Garfield is in favor of a strong government
Most assuredly if his conduct in the past
while in Congress, is any indication, he will
prove greater despot than Grant has even
been. Moreover, he is q man of much great
or mental force than Grant ever was. His
parliamentary training and knowledge oflaw
his experience in the practical working OF
the Government, all concur to render him a
more dangerous enemy to our institutions. 1t
remains to be seen whether we shall be treat
ed 10 an imperial despotism, or to Republic
which shall be Republic only in name