The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1888-11-22


We are having the qnadreiuiial discus
sion in the newspapers Of the policy of
extending the Presidential term to SIX
years. and establishing by law the one
term principle. trhe reason assigned for
this il the disturbance To business, result
ing FROM a Presidential campaign. and
the great loss estimated 10 accrue IRON it.
This is all nonsense. The diversion from
business every four years occasioned by
election contests, is healthy. Ii is a re-
lief from The strain OF incessant aPplica-
tion to business matters. and gives a
chance to recuperate the vital forces and
restore mental vigor The loss is ali i'm
agiuary. 1t is a calculation based upt n
expectations. 1t is really 4 source Of benefit,
for after a rest or diversion, such as a
Presidential cleo ion affords. business is
resumed with Zest, and prosecuted with
renewed energy, making up ali the lime
assumed to have been lost aud giving a
healthy tone not only to trade but to the
physical man.
We have prospered and progressed in a
material sense, and deep rooted our insti
buttons in the affections Of the people, un
der the four years term, for "A hundred
years. 1t has served the purposes of The
trainers of our government beyond any
! thing they could have conjectufed. and
builded up a Republic stable. V gorous
and growing that is the al iral ion as well
as the fear of the world. Let we'll enough
alone.
The money argument is sofdid aud ig.
noble. We are too much after the dollar
1t has become the American golden calf.
before which all are being trained to be.
1ieve they must bow down and worship
AS rational beings. knowing from every
day occurrences that Cur stay is very short
here, and that shrouds have no pockets
we should call a halt to the spirit of NOR
dinate greed, and consider that relaxation
fromgaln and a curb upon our money ,seek-
ing prOpensities is one. of the needs Of the
generation.
Our quadreHnial elections and The ex-
elements incident thereto. are the safety
valves Of the Nation. They give vent to
the eruptive forces of nature, and like
the thunder storm in the elements, purify
the physical and mental resources. They
are the substitute under our form of gov.
eminent. for bloody conflicts under The
antocratic and despotic powers of the old
country. 1t is a study and a marvel, when
we consider from what the American PEG
pie sprung ana the examples that were
presented in the peoples Of the eastern
: world, to witness 100000 Of people
march to the duty Of changing their ad
lninistration, or passing upon the man.
agemeEt of our great affairs every foul
: years. without jar to the political struc
ture or q menace to its foundations. an(
go through the contention and struggle t
contemplate its results with submissive
obedience to the will of the majority. Tit
verdict is accepted: business resumed; new
enterprises inaugurated. and forces KEEP
: in place for the successful party to Ell
counter :he ordeal Of public judgment a
the expiration of four years. 1t is these
recurring elections at short periods, which
strengthen our institutions. identify thu
people with their government aud stimu
late them to the study of the question
/ and ideas which enter into the discus
slons and contentious inseparabe from
our quadrennial contests.
The mere money gamers cannot improve
upon present laws and present methods
They must rise above the mercenary ant
grasp the Influences and forces which hav
:. built up this great Nation, and placed i
S as beacon light to guide the peoples o
:, the earth-to develop mans capacities
S to restrain his soIdid passions. and Gle
g vate his moral and intellectual being
n The American Republic is a marvel ant
1 wonder. when other forms Of govern
C ment since the dawn OF civilization, ar
:. considered and in its wonderful march an
t phenomenal attachments, we must recog
d nize the hand of Providence not only i
g its progress but IN the grand destiny whic
D awaits it.