Year: 1864

The pamphlet entitled THE Next
Presidential Election, which is being
widely distributed under Congressional
franks, announces that the political cam
paign of 1864 has opened. And now
that it has begun, it is desirable, in every
point of view, that it be ended as soon as
possible by the nomination. The Union
men Of the country win naturally wish
TO know at the earliest moment who is
to carry their standard, that they may
be able to devote their time and force TO
the prosecution of the war and5the reato-
ration of the Union, instead OF wasting
them in personal squabbles among them
selves.


Obviously in the midst of war which,
begun amidst the sneers and skepticism
Of foreign governments, and the sad
doubt and fear of true men at home, has
yet advanced to near prospect of final
victory, it would be great moral ad-
VANTAGE to retain, before all the world
the same general front; to say, on the
one hand, to the rebels, that the terrible
experience of the three years past will
be the experience of the four or five to
come, if they do not yield, and to the
world at large that the people of the
United States are steadily bent upon the
original purpose Of the war, and by every
legitimate means whatever inheSibly
mean to restore the Union and main
tain the Government If, indeed, the
condition of public affairs were different;
if oGr military lines were marked by dis
asiers; if the rebellion had evidently
strengthened itself; if there were rea-
sonable expectation that the Govern
ment might be overthrown; if trade
were prostrated or industry paralyzed; !;
if we had been overtaken by crushing
financial calamity; if there were no fair
prospect of recruiting our armies with
veterans and the best of new men; if
the measures of the Government at
home had been such as to create pow
erGul and threatening opposition, or had
been unfaithful to human liberty; in
word, If there were not general con-
viction deep down in the heart Of the
people that, allowing for all faults and
mistakes and weaknesses, from which
no men and no administration can be
free; vet, under all the circumstances,
military, social, and political, public
affairs had been upon the whole, and
certainly so far as the President is con-
cerned, sagaeiously and honestly con
Quoted, then a change in the head OF the
Government would be not only wise, but
it would be inevitable.


That the conduct Of the war has been
upon the whole satisfactory is evident
from the fact that the political struggle
is not really between the Administration
and the Opposition, but among the Union
men themselves. No loyal Union man
proposes a serious change. in the present
policy, and therefore change of Presi-
dent is advocated upon theoretical
grounds But is this a time for persoal
preferences and theories? The pamph-
let of which we spoke in the beginning
of this article argues warmly, for in
stance, although not very ably, against a
second Presidential term, and fortifes
its position By the advice of Washington
and Jackson, each of whom were twice
elected. But why were they so? Simply
because the people preferred them to any
other candidates So in many of the
States the same Governor has been re-
elected for many consecutive years, be.
cause of the popular satisfaction with
the man and his services. Is not thai
liberty of choice the very essence of g
/ free government? Is it not, as a rule
/ better that representative, who really
represents the feelings of his constitu
ency, should be sent for many terms Il
| Congress than that an inexperienced per
son should be sent every two years? The
biennial election may be, and often justly
is, the declaration of entire satisfaction
with the service of the representative
1t would certainly be remarkable ex
ception in the practice of popular sys
cessity, be displaced. The doctrine o
rotation in office is the result of
misapprchension of popular govern
ment No State, or city, or nation, o
village, would be necessarily better or
dered because the authorities were chang
ed every month Or every year. 1t is tn
regular frequency of election which
the characteristic safeguard of our sys
tenn. The object of the election is to al
low the people to choose the man VIII
best pleases them. But to make him in
eligible after one term is to defeat tha
object, and compel them to adopt on
who is not their preference. 1t is in c


feet to say either that man who ha


been proved by experience to be fit fc


his Office shall not continue to hold i


which is absurd; or else that'he can ne


safely be iutrusted with it for more tha


one term, which is to assert that men ar


not honest enough to make our systel
practicable. Rotation in Office is th
, doctrine of politicians who wish to hay


the best places, not of the people VIII


wish to have the best magistrates.


The pamphlet in question urges il


plea upon the ground that if Presider


be eligible for more than one term,


will use the enormous patronage of b


office to secure another nomination. Bl


it is very clear that to limit the term


not to prevent his corrupt use of patrol
age He will in that case, if inclined


abuse his power, merely turn his enc
+, gies to securing the succession to the {;


Torite of his party. And the objectio


lies against vesting patronage in al
!, office whatever, because, II Presidel


may use his patronage TO secure a r


nomination, Secretary may use his


defeat the President Take, for i
!, stance, the case of two conspicuous pu


lie men at this moment, upon the homo


able character of which no aspersion his


been cast, even by implication, befo
: the appearance of this pamphlet
" mean Mr.. Lincoln, the President, al
/ Mr.. Chase, the Secretary of the Trea
ury. Each of them wields enormo


patronage The President, according
the pamphlet, should not be eligible {
= two terms lest he should misuse his pa


ronage. Very well. And the Secreta


of the Treasury? II the reasoning


sound, he should not be eligible at I
S, lest he should misuse his Is it pr
H posed that no officer who commands ps
ar ar ronage shall be eligible to the Pre-
IT'S dency?


ne ne AS a fact, however, the President