Year: 1875

tCutiou W Iuu ioI luiTu teIih. DcIc
is no mistaking his language, and
there can be no doubt that having
once squarely assumed the role of q
candidate he will obstinately contend
for reelection despite the opposition
of friend or foe. The republic must at
once recognize the position that its
President has taken, and act upon
this new phase in our political history
The trainers of the Constitution left
the period of ineumbancy of the Presi-
dent open for the future generations.


1t was the dangerous point in the for
tification, and was purposely left open
that the eyes.of posterity might watch
it with anxious solicitude. They fore
saw all the difficulties which
might follow positive Introduction of
reelection and recognized the binding
obligation which custom would i'm
pose upon the future favorites of the
people. The ambitious seeing no bar.
rier to continuance of the popular fa-


vor would be less apt to seek a change
in the form of government, while the
people could either reward great
patriot with prolonged term of office
or depose the dangerous aspirant.
Since the establishment of our gov
ernment no man has offered himself
for third term as President, and the
custom is sanctified by the farewell
warning of the ''greatest OF the great
GEORGE WASHINGTON. We may
well pause and reflect upon the action
of ULYssIS S. GRANT then, who in de-
fiance of the expressed opposition to
his administration of the majority of
the people the country, and the act
ual reputation OF his secret aspira-
tions by his own party. The late elec-
tions have shown that the people of
the country oppose the President. The
platforms of the various State Repub-
lican Conventions oppose third term
and they have made this declaration
when it was doubtful whether GRANT
would offer himself asa candidate.
We may therefore pertinently ask
whether it is not the purpose of the
President to form personal party
and attempt a canvass on that basis?
He must recognize the fact that the
Republican party does not desire to
carry the burden of third term on it's
shoulders in its present weak condi-
tion. He is therefore compelled to
force himself upon the party, or
run on an independent personal tick
ct. In either event it does not behoove
the patriot to underestimate the
strength of this bold and determined
man. AS the regular Republican cam
didate he would poll a heavy vote; as
an independent candidate he would so
weaken the regular nominee as to ul-
timately cause his withdrawal. In
either event, backed by the immense
patronage of the Executive Depart
ment, and possessed of the vast
wealth amassed by his army of office
holders and personal friends; he is a
dangerous competitor, and menace
to the peace of the country. The des-
titution of the masses in the States
will render the money power of the
government incalculable, and should
any schism arise in the Democratic
ranks to weaken their power, GRANT
could make such show of strength as
to secure the thousands who always
prefer to be on the winning side. We
have an abiding faith in the wisdom
and virtue of the people and ca mot for
moment believe that imperialism can
find numerous supporters in this
young and free country; but, at the
same time we cannot hide from our
view the danger which threatens at
least the peace of the republic bv the
definate announcement that ULYssUs
S. GRANT is filled with the love OF
power, and so elated with his past sue
cess as to deem himself more worthy
the favors Of the people than all the
great and good men who have in the
past been honored by the nation. In
his role of Cesar, General GRANTS a
more formible enemy TO free institu-
tions than most of us are willing to
admit. His ignorance will lead him
to undertake what a wise man would
consider impracticable. He has been
elevated to position so far above his


proudest aspirations that he is intoxi-
Gated with power, and ready to believe


himself the child of fortune and the


master of the country. The egotism


displayed in his Des Moines speech is


unparalleled. and plainly indicates


the forces that are working in his


mind. He is determined not to re-


turn to private life. and his conduct


will be pacific or warlike according to


the verdict of the ballot box. From


this moment let every freeman bear


in mind that the integrity of our free


Institutions is seriously threatened,


and let the nations rebuke equal the


audacity of this aspiring man.