Year: 1874

one term is the most important measure that
has been introduced In Congress The fact
that the honor of this measure must be given
to republican Senator, Mr. Wright Of Iowa,
rebounds to the credit of that gentleman ana
the discredit of the democratic leaders. Here
Yves a most important issue. It had been
more or less discussed since the foundation OF
the government. Jefferson, the founder OF
the democratic party, had placed himself on
record in letters to Adams and Washington
and Madison against it. He feared the


Presidency would become like Polish King
| dom, to s'be elected from four years to four


wears for life" jackson, the successor OF


Jefferson in the affections of the democratic
/ party, had taken the same ground. The party


leaders and newspapers, during the canvass,
were eloquent over the dangers of C@sarism


Upon the issue of Cmsarism the adminlstra-
ton party was beaten. Naturally one would
think that the first duty of the party leaders,
upon the meeting of Congress- would be to
compel action upon the question of third
term by Offering an amendment to the consti-
tuition making the President ineligible for re-
election There were Beck and Kerr, and Cox.
and Wood, and Thurman, and twenty other
statesmen, who would scarcely wait until the
roll was called before they introduced this
resolution. But Congress met and there was
no sign. Picayune, trivial questions, OF no
value outside of their movers vanity, were
brought forward Member after member
sought to make capital for the party by the
smallest and most unnecessary questions. But
the great question was forgotten until republi-
can Senator robbed them of their opportunity.


We fear this is not an encouraging sign so
far as these democratic leaders are concerned.
II they were able or sincere men they GER
tainly would not have made this blunder. 1t
justifes an apprehension that we do not
accept without reluctance, that these gentle
men are, after ALL mere political demagogues
Like their antagonists; that they care for
power and not for principle that once in the
enjoyment of Office they are little concerned
about the promises upon which they obtain
it This is blunder in double sense. 1t
weakens the victory of November. 1t excites
the distrust of the large mass of conservative
voters who voted with the democrats, not
because they loved democracy, but because
they were weary of Grant. These voters
regard the democratic party 40 IN state of
probation. It depends upon the manner in
which the leaders act during their probation
whether or not they will vote for the demo-
cratic nominees in the Presidential canvass.
If these leaders, more especially those who
are in Congress- will Justify the hopes the
conservative masses now entertain Of new
and high departure in public economy and
good government, then these conservative
sufrages will be given to the democracy
in the next canvass But how can they
expect support of this kind in the presence
of so marked neglect of an immediate duty
as is shown in the management of this ques-
ton Of one term? Morally speaking the DEM
ocrats in Congress are as much in power as
they will be year hence. They are respon-
sible to the country for the good behavior of
the party, for the sincerity OF its professed
devotion to pri1ciple, and they must allow us
to hold them to the severest responsibility.


With this statement of the magnitude of
the democratic blunder we come to the merits
of the resolution introduced by Senator
Wright. He proposes that the President and
Vice President shall be elected for six years.
They shall be ineligible for reelection, al
though we suppose they would be eligible
after the expiration Of the term of their sue
cessors. 1t will require majority of the
popular votes to elect them, and not, as is
now the case, q majority Of the electoral col
leges Practically, therefore, the amendment
will abolish the present electoral college sys-
tenn. Should there not be q majority of the
popular votes for any one candidate then
there will be new election, at which the
names of the two candidates receiving the
highest number of votes will be submitted.
The canvass of the vote will be made by the
Supreme Court which will issue the certificate
of election. This, as our readers will see, is
a comprehensive scheme, and will necessarily
excite debate.


We are SO anxious to see the one term idea
made part of the constitution, and the
whole business of C@sarism destroyed forever
as question in American politics, that we
should take the measure of Mr.. Wright with
all Of it's faults But we do not see the necessity
for so complicated plan. 1t is open to
many objections. 1t should be made clear
that this amendment takes effect at once. We
believe it is so intended, but able critics in
contemporary journals question this and think
it is meant to go into operation after the next
canvass, SO as to give General Grant chance
for third term. We do not accept this read
ing, but it should be written so plainly that
there can be no misunderstanding Nor do
we think the six years term altogether wise.
Four years are long enough for any Chief
Magistrate, and there are many reasons for a
shorter term which should not be despised
We do not fancy the suggestion of second
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