The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1895-09-17

A PERFORMANCE scarcely ever surpassed
in audacity is the declaration of Senator
Gray In favor of the reelection of Presi-
dent Cleveland. AS the most submissive
of all the Cuckoo tribe, Mr.. Gray was OBJ
viously the most fit personals perhaps
he was the only Democrat of prominence
who would consent-to affront American
opinions by declaring that Mr.. CIeveland's
services were so illustrious that he ought
to have the honor which had not been
given to Washington or to Grant. Wash
ington refused third election for patriot
ic and most honorable reasons, which, in
spite of Senator Gray's sophistry, hold
good still. Grant was stoutly supported by
body of friends. but it does not appear
that he personally sought or consented to
accept the questionable honor. For
most questionable honor it would always
be, if President, having his party by the
throat through his official mercenaries,
should extort from 1t a nomination in
violation of all American presidents and
instincts.
Now that this thing has been formally
proposed, and by man known to echo
the Presidents wishes, as if devoid of
mind of his own, it might be the best
thing for the country on every account to
have the experiment tried to the end.
Let us have a President nominated for a
third term, and see where he will come
out. Senator Gray sets up this pitlfully
frivolous claim, that American tradition
forbids only three consecutive terms for
the same man, and he claims that the
Cleveland who was President first be-
came private citizen, and was washed
clean, SO to speak, of all restrictions as to
reelection when he was defeated in 1888.
He has again been elected for the first
time like any other citizen, and Is en-
titled to reelection if his services merit
that confidence. as any other President
might be elected for second continuous
term. Mr.. Gray had some reputation as
lawyer, but will certainly lose most of
his reputation for common-sense by ad-
tifogging in character.
He is false in history in saying that the
principal objection in Washington's case
sprang from the doubt whether the new
Republic would stay Republic. On the
contrary. President Washington himself
set forth in the clearest terms the other
and permanent objection, that possessor
of the appointing power, holding that
high place for eight years, would be apt
to control enough political influence to
distort and unnaturally sway the political
action of the people. There would come
to be he wisely foresaw. a species of die
self-government, SO that the trained and
hired officials, holding their Offices at the
pleasure of the President, might continue
for an indefinite period, for fourth or a
fifth as well as third term, to re-elect
the man to whom they owed their posi-
tons. This sort of thing, President Wash
ington rightly judged, was not only con-
trary to American instincts, but distinctly |
hostile to the best interests of the Repub-
lie. 1t tended to establish, not mon
archy, not any formal change of the form
of government. but behind the republican
form practical despotlsm in the hands |
of one man, continued and maintained |
through the persons holding Office at his
will.
1t is exactly this sort of thing which the
people will resent if it is attempted in be.
half of President Cleveland or anybody
else. Perhaps it would be the best thing
possible to have the Democratic party
nominate Mr.. Cleveland, IN order to see |
how far he would fall behind its natural
strength, being candidate for reelection
under such circumstances. 1t must be
presumed, in the light of the latest cleo
tions, that any nomination by the Demo-
cratic party is likely to end in defeat
Mr.. Cleveland might as well be beaten as
anybody else. Nevertheless. the test
would help to show how far the American
people are willing to set aside all tradi-
tions and instincts inherited from the
earlier days of the Republic, in obedi-
ence to the desire of office-holders to re-
elect the man from whom they hold their
lucrative positions. And then it might
be well, moreover, to get definitely tested
by popular decision, the question
whether the policy which Mr.. Cleveland
has continuously urged is that which the
people resent and have condemned at the
polls, or only the policy which members
of his party in Congress haye attempted
to carry out In many ways the lesson
would be instructive, and perhaps the
Democrats may consent to serve the
country by giving it chance to show
just what it thinks. first of President
and second of a third term
NeW York Tribune.
STATE NEWS.
Circuit Court Judge Richard T. Mil
ar hoe haon ooo;oraI - Do,co~. g.