Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1892-03-11
COMMUNICATED.
DEMOCRACY.

The common law OF the united
States, in reference to the Office OF
President, is that no one shall occupy
the Office more than two terms. The
reason is obvious, viz that having at
such great hazards and sacrifices
achieved our independence, they es-
tablished II repuElic-a Democratic
government detesting and avoiding
every law and custom Of monarchies,
c. g., taxation without representation,
Il royal family, house OF lords, life ten
ure of office, primogeniture, &c.
As time elapses, veneration for Gen
eral Washington increases, because
his life and principles so strongly con-
denim the selfshness, trickery and
demagogueism OF the day. To illus
trate, contrast President Washington
and Senator Hill. Washington was
and is first in the hearts of his coun-
trymen." Hill, first in his own heart
and in the hearts Of the spoilsmen of
his party. Hills audacity will be
crushed by the indignant patriotism
Of the people. The gratitude and pa
triotism of the people will ever cause
them to commemorate the22d OF Feb
ruary. President Washington, by
voluntarily retiring at the end of his
second term, established the common
law, which has not been violated TO
this day. The attempt to do so by the
friends of General Grant failed, not
withstanding his military popularity
with the country at large, and hispop-
ularity in the south on account of his
liberalitv in the terms of the surren-
der, and his noble conduct in forbid
ding the arrest and prosecution OF the
Confederate leaders. He also was the
idol of the large spoils faction of his
party 1t is admitted that President
Grants administrations were the most
corrupt in the history of this country.
Therefore, it is believed that the COM
mon law of not more than two terms
for the presidency will control aslong
as the republic lasts.
Long tenure Of Office. besides being
unfair and undemocratic, has devel-
oped much sad, disgraceful and costly
corruption which never could have
occurred by short terms or rotation
in Office. Look at the moral wreck Of
and large pecuniary losses by Archer,
who formerly had been in many ways
one of the first men in Maryland. RO-
tation in office has become the Demo
cratic creed and practice Of the coun-
try, and any marked violation OF this
conservative policy always shocks the
sense Of justice and endangers the pc
cuniary transactions of the people.
The only life tenure, or good behavior
office in the United States, is the
judges of the Supreme Court. They
are wisely retired on ample pay.
Some men, who have peculiar fit
ness, are retained for years in the
United States Senate and House OF
Representatives In many instances
this is beneficial, but in many others
detrimental TO the welfare of the
country.
Whenever q legislator becomes
political boss aud belongs to the spoils
faction OF his party, the sooner he is
retired thu better.
By the constitution Of West Nir-
ginia the Governor is ineligible for the
succeeding term. All the other State
officers, except Auditor Duffy, have
declined to be candidates for re-elec-
ton, in Difference to public opinion in
favor of rotation in office.
There are hundreds of men in West
Virginia who will make as good and
perhaps better Auditors than Mr..
Duffy. He seeksa third term because
he wants the pay. He has had it for
eight years. Why should more pub
lie money go into his pockets, when
there are many well qualified, needy,
faithful, consistent and working Dem
ocrats who will accept the office?
Manifest injustice will weaken the
party, which has no strength TO lose.
Justice, fairness, anti-bossism and
anti-monopoly will triumph.
What then ought to be done with
MIR. Duffy? Defeat him in the con
vention!
Let the people and not the bosses
and corporators rule. y.