The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1888-07-07
THEN AND NOW.

Dangers of Second Term. why no Presi-
dent Should be Reelected.
From Grover Cleveiand's letter accepting the
nomination for President in 1851
We proudly call ours government by
the people. 1t is not such when a class
is tolerated which arrogates to itself the
management of public affairs, seeking to
control the people instead of representing
them Parties are the necessary out
growth of our institutions; but govern
ment is not by the people when one party
fastens its control upon the country and
perpetuates power by cajoling and be-
traying the people instead of serving
them. A Government is not by the PEG
pie when a result which should represent
the intelligent will of free and thinking
men is or can be, determined by the
shameless corruption of their suffrages.
When an election to office shall be the
selection by the voters of one of their
number to assume for a time a public
trust, instead OF his dedication to the pro
fession of politics, when the holders of the
ballot, quckened by sense of duty, shall
avenge truth betrayed and pledges
broken, and when the suffrages shall be
altogether free and uncorrupted, the full
realization of government by the PEG
pie will be at hand. Aud of the means
TO this end not one would in my judg
ment, be more affective than an amend
ment to the Constitution disqualifying
the President from re. election. When
we consider the patronage of this great
office, the allurements of power, the
temptation to retain public places once
gained and, more than all, the availability
a nartu fin dc in inn NH
horde of office holders, with a zeal born
OF benefits received and fostered by the
hope of favors yet to come, stand ready
to aid with money and trained political
service, we recognize in the eligibility of
the President for re. election a most
serious danger to that calm, deliberate
and intelligent political action which most
characterize government by the people
FOUR YEARS LATE.
Borrower Cleveland's speech to the Committee
that officially notified him of his denomination.
June %, 1888
Il cannot but be profoundly impressed
when | see about me the messengers of
the national democracy bearing its sum
mons to duty. The political party to
which I owe allegiance both honors and
commands me. 1t places IN my hand it's
proud standard and bids me bear it high |
at the front in battle which it wages,
bravely because conscious of right; con-
idently, because its trust is in the PEG.
pie, and soberly, because it comprehends |
the obligations which success imposes. |
The message which you bring awakens
within me the liveliest sense of personal |
gratitude and satisfaction, and the honor
which you tender me is in itself so great
that there might well be no room for any
other sentiment. And yet cannot rid
myself OF grave and serious thoughts
when remember that party supremacy
is not alone involved in the conflict which
presses upon us. but that we struggle to
secure and save the cherished institutions.
the welfare and the happiness of nation
Of freemen.
Familiarity with the great office
which | hold has but added to my appre-
tension of its sacred character aud the