Arizona silver belt., 1888-07-07
THE Rg.ELECrrOs OF THE PRESIDENT.

magistrate of the nation. UT the zi ! Presidents of the United States, who
 preceded Cleveland, ten sought re-
 election. Seyen-Wasbington, Jeffer-
 son, Madison, Monroe, Jackson, Lin coin and Grant were successful. Three -Jehn Adams, Van Buren and John
 Quincy Adams-wers defeated. The motives which impelled these men to seek a second time the sufrages of the people for election to the Presidency, and the means employed to compass that end, were in a majority of cases, perhaps, honorable and free from any serious cause for censure. The prece- dent set by Washington was followed regularly by hls successors in office down to the election of James K. Polk, in 1844, and it is probable that no in cumbent of the chef executive chair would have been averse to serving his country second term.
 In the case of Washington, his ear Her successors and of Lincoln, tho ex- agencies of the times, the dangers from foreign war and civil strife which threatened the country, were no doubt sufficient grounds for the almost unan- imous desire of loyal citizens to con- tinue in power the existing admins tration and avoid the evils which might follow change of government that would imply, to some extent at least, change of policy. It was with the greatest reluctance, and enly at the earnest solicitation of Jefferson Hamilton, Randolph and other promi- nent statesmen of the day, who strong ly set forth the instability of the gov ernment. and that enemies, from within and without, threatened its perpetuity, that Washington was per suaded second time, and by the volee of a large majority of the people, to accept the high office of President His view was that "were he to con- tinue in it longer, It might give room to say that, having tasted the sweets of office, he ceuld not do without them" Washington was greatly em- barrassed over the question of retiring from office at the expiration of hls first term of office, and in latter to Mr. Madison, he says: "On the one hand previous declaration to retire not only carries with it the appearance of van Ity and self-importance, but it may be construed into a maneuver to be invited to remaln; and on the other hand, to say nothing, implies consent, or, at any rate, would leave the mat ter in doubt; and to decline after wards, might be deemed as bad and uncandid."
 At the expiration of Washington's second term, Mr. Giles, a member of the lower house of Congress, from Virginia, who dlssented from the warm expressions of regret at the Presidents retirement, as expressed in the reply of the House to Washing tons farewell address, while showing a niggardly appreciation of the Presi- dents great services to his country, nevertheless, expressed truths which are now accepted by the American people generally. Mir. Giles said that "he did not regret the Presidents re- tiring from office. He believed the government of the United States was founded on the broad basis of the peo- pie, that they were competent to their own government. The people would truly be in a calamitous situation, said he, Eff one man were essential to the existence of the government. He was convinced that the United States produces thousand citizens capable of filling the Presidential chair, and he would trust to the dIscernment of the people for a proper cho1ce. Though the voice of all America should declare the Presidents retiring a calamity, he could not join in the declaration, be- cause he did not conceive it misfor- tune. He hoped the President would be happy in his retirement, and he hoped he would retire"
 Lincoln did not escape calumny for oonsenting to be a candidate for re- election, nor the accusation of wlsh- ing to use. the power of the govern ment to secure his continuance in of flee. Prior to the meeting of the Re publican National Convention, the opponents of Mr. Lincoln issued an address inviting radical men of the nation" to meet in Cleveland, Ohio, on the 31st of May, 1863. This call pas sionately denounced Mr. Lincoln by implication as prostituting his posi- ton to perpetuate his own power. In response to tue call about 150 persons assembled at Cleveland, selected Gen. John c. Fremont and Gen. John Cechrane, of New York, as candidates for President and Vice-PreSldent, re-