Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1888-06-21
The Jewel OF Consistency.

1t is one of the popular sayings, as
familiar as the aphorism, ''to be good is
to be happy or virtue is its own re-
ward that consistency is q Jewel. .
We have the authority of Shakespear,
the Bible and lots of ancient, if less
celebrated authority, for calling cardi-
nal virtues, jewels. Modes ty, chastity,
good name, have been called the
immediate jewell OF the soul of man
or woman. Character, experience, dis
erection and consistency have been given
the same high place. just now the
thoughts of the nation are turned to
things political. Characters are dis
sected, past actions are resurrected, and
long forgotten sayings are brought to
light and used for all they are worth,
to help or hinder the nominations or,
elections.
Viewed by the sunlight of 1888, say
ings uttered in 1884 are found 10 have
lost mono of their clearness and posi-
tiveness of expression. Undimmed by
the oblivion of four years, they come
forth with their original freshness. and
although their authors may think they
are only ''chestnuts,' and too old
to be used, there are others who con-
slider them quite fit to serve as cam
paign diet. In President Hayes let
ter of acceptance in 1876 we find the
following:
The declaration of principles by the Cincin-
natl convention, makes no announcement in
favor Of single Presidential term / do not
assume to add TO that declaration, but believing
that the restoration OF the civil service to the
system established by Washington and followed
by the early Presidents, can be best accomplish
ed by an executive who is under no TEMPTATION
10 use the patronage Of his office to promote his
own reelection, desire to perform what / re-
gard as duty in stating my now infiexable pur
pose. if elected not to be candidate for election
TO q second term. :
This he stuck to conscientiously He re-
garded it rs a contract not to be broken.
-Four years ago President Cleveland,
with his usual force of expression de-
clared that
When an election to Office shall be the
selection by the voters Of one of their mum Der to
assume for a time public trust instead of his
dedication to the profession of politics; when
the holders OF the ballot, quickened by a sense
OF duty, shall avenge truth betrayed and pledges
broken, and when the suffrage shall be al.
together free and interrupted the full realiza-
ton of government by the people will be Mt
hand. And OF the means To this end. not one
would, IN my judgment, be more effective than
an amendment to the Constitution disqualifying
the president from reelection When we con
slider the patronage of this great Office the
ulluTpmnntg n no
puDNc place once gained. and more than all. the
availability party finds in an incumbent whom
horde OF oince-holders, with a zeal born Of
benefits received and fostered by the hope OF
faIors yet to come, stand ready to aid with
money and trained political service, we rccog-
nize in the, eligibility Of the President for re-
election most serious danger to that calm, de-
tberate and intelligent political action which
must characterize government by the people"
This declaration was made four wears
ago and how has this contract been
kept? His pledge TO the people has
been broken, and at his royal command
Democratic delegates focked to St.
Louis to re-nominate him by acclama-
ton.
We also find that the ''old Roman"
has left his confession of faith on
the second term question. In speech
at Columbus, Ohio, Sept. 3, 1872, Judge
Thurman said
Ny friends, you will never have any genuine
reform in the ciyil-seryice until You adopt the
one-term principle in reference to the presiden-
cy. As long as the incumbent can hope for A
second term he will use the immense patronage
q the government to procure his denomination
ana secure his reelection
This effort was made against Grant,
after he was nominated for second
term, What harmonious combination
the Democrats have hit uponl Both its
leaders opposed to . second term, and
both, @ few years ago. ready with
burning eloquence 10 talk against ii,
yet now, ready to unite their strength
in supporting it.
"Oh consistency, thou art a jewel"