The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1884-12-19
The Presidential Term.

/ otc tiiut W indht sOIilt TtltItnCe W tn
length of term of office of the Presi
dent of this great nation" Many 9th
ers hold to this opinion. But wha
are the facts in the case Our gov
ernment is an experiment, and soone
or later will establish its ultimate sue
cess, or failure. 1t is destined for fu
ture greatness and honor and unequal
ed prosperity of its free institution,
and press liberty, or to crumble into {
consolidated despotism with all the ul
terror consequences incident to despot
ic power, and suited to the aristocrac,
rather than to the people. The Amer
lean idea of government will be carried
in the one, or the other extreme. Pa
triotism always rises above party, and
secures for us the richest blessings,
and preserves the safeguards of our
liberties. Our government is yet, OF
should be in its infancy. Nevertheless,
it has made unparalleled progress in
extending its boundaries, in develop.
ing all its resources, mineral, agricultu
raj, mercantile and marine, in estab
fishing institutions of learning and of
charity, in providing industries for the
laboring classes aud in manufactured
products. Its rail road systems, post
lines, river navigation and general
traffic have no equal in any of the ma
tions of the earth. In fact all the ia.
cilities and avenues in all the walks
and pursuits in life are guaranteed to,
and enjoyed by the humblest citizen as
well as by the most exalted. It was
sufficient for the original three millions
with limited "business' and small "com.
binatlons" and for all its subsequent
increase until it reaches the enormous
proportions of upward of fifty millions
with unlimited "business' and "vast
combinations and will continue to be
sufficient until it shall number 500 mil.
lions, with business wealth and 9TH
er combination" multiplied in a tell
fold ratio Notwithstanding. 1t is a
perfect form of Republican govern
ment, consisting of three co-equal, in
dependent branches. blended into one
harmonious whole, viz: the Executive,
Legislative and Judicial. Each with
its inferior, or subordinate branches
perfects an organism which extends to
the most remote precinct, or even to
the individual citizen. 1t was either
miraculous or presumptious. If the
former, we shall believe that the
trainers of the Constitution were in
spired, for the 'powers that be are or.
dained of God" If the latter, they
suited themselves to surrounding cir
cumstances. In either event they dis
PLAYED uuexampled wisdom and states
manship in framing a government
suited to their wants, and to the wants
Of their posterity forever The present
tenure of the presidential incumbents
has been wisely sufficient in all the
past and will be equally so in the fu-
ture. Says the writer business inter-
ests which hundred years ago were
so limited and slight in comparison
with the vast combinations which sway
the land to day imperatively demand
consideration of change in this re-
spect." The ebb and flow of the bust.
ness tide of the financial current
throughout all their various channels
are healthy purgative in all business
circles, and attended with countless
blessings, though some may be swept
from the shores of seeming security
through unsubstantial financial founda-
tions, or indiscreet investments, and
the whole business systems may be af-
fected thereby for few days, when it
again starts up anew as if by magic.
While it admonishes economy and
prudence on the one hand it also invites
enterprise, risk and perseverance on
the other. To admit therefore that
the exigencies of the times absolutely
demand longer presidential term is
virtual acknowledgment that our
government has attained to the full de-
velopment and stature of govcrnmen.
tai manhood, and is in the zenith of
its glory, power, influence and useful
ness to serve its people, and therefore
ready to recline into the arms of mon
archy by Incorporating into the body
polite, and into the fundamental such
initiatory and effective steps toward its
final consummation. 1t would be Ca.
sar crossing the Rubicon with all its
consequences, repeated. If we have a
bad executive, four years is already
too long a term, and if good one, if
need be he can be reelected, yet one
term should always be sufficient. The
writer further says, "and wide spread
feeling is rapidly gaining ground that
the excitement of general election Is
something too serious in nature and
consequence to be precipitated upon
the country as often as at present. -
Suppose then, the term be heightened
to six, eight or ten years what then :?
Would not longer term only serve to
intensity excitement more desperately
and more bitterly, and thus prove a
necessity to do away with presidential
elections altogether? And what it
sought to cure would be ma le more in
tolerable to endure. Nay, verify, ex-
citement is good for the people. 1t
gives the nation life, energy and hope
Let political storms, hurricanes, and
cyclones sweep over the country every
four years, and carry away Its corrup-
tion. And the stree of liberty" will
strike its roots deeper into freedoms
soil Our people thereby become bet
ter acquainted with our form of govern
ment and its requirements, and will
read and study more concerning its
functions and its needs during cam
paign years, than all others combined,
which more than compensate for the
business depression which sometimes
accompanies exciting election. There
is, however, an antdote that would
prevent much excitement in general
elections, and that is to abolish all state
elections previous to the general No
vember elections.
"Woodrnan spare that tree,
Touch not single bough
la youth it sheltered me,
And I'll protect it now
BENTON.
Rla,nato TihaI Q,it