Year: 1874

The Democratic and Independent jour
na,g, in the absence of anything else to
write about, have studied up phantom
over which they are wasting oceans of
ink. This phantom, which looms up be-
fore their dazed and bewidered I'M
aginations like the dagger of Macbeth,
is President Grant seeking a second re-
election. And it is the more remarka-
bic, that, although they at once hasten
to assure their readers that there is not
the slightes possible chance that this un-
reasonable ambition of the President will
be gratifed by the people, that Casarism
will meet with prompt rebuke, yet they
return to the charge whenever opportun-
ity offers, knowing, doubtless, that it is
much easier to topple over a Republican
Presidential candidate of their own selec-
ton couple of years in advance, than to
defeat the one who will be put forward at
the proper time, as the choice Of the Re-
publicans of the nation.


There is no constitutional provision in
hibitng the second reelection of Presi-
dent. Therefore, it is not impossible that
an aspiring and ambitious man may, at
some period in the future, essay the trial
of how far the patience and confidence of
party can be tested. When that time
arrives will be soon enough for the sub
ject to receive serious consideration. We
do not question but there are many who
believe it would be sound national policy
TO continue to re-elect a President so long
as his administration proves acceptable,
on the same principle that we re-elect
men Of experience and qualification to
lesser offices. There are others, again,
who form the more numerous class,
in favor of electing a President for one
term only. Either view Of the case is, in
our opinion, an extreme one, and one ia-
bic to be attended with mischevous con-
sequences. 1t is custom sanctioned by
long political usage to endorse a Presi-
dents administration by denomination,
while at the same time no President,
however favorably his administration
was received, has ever sought second
reelection. Hence it became a part of
the "upwritten law" of the land, that two
terms in the Presidential chair was to be
regarded as the limit of American ambi-
ton. And so strong is the belief in this
unwritten law, that many who are not IA
mil:ar with the provisions Of the constitu-
ton, believe it contains clause embody-
ing the principle spoken Of.


We do not propose to discuss the mat
ter. it being only a scarecrow SET up by
Democratic papers, and papers which,
under the guse of independence are
laboring for Democratic success. Unless
the Republican party can be divided this
task is hopeless, SO, false issues being the
Democratic stock in trade, this one is
raised, to weaken the administration of
President Grant and bring odum upon
the party which elected him. So far as
the independent" journals are concern
ed, their sole aim is to defeat the Repub-
lican party, therefore we see the Sacra-
monto Union, and other journals Of that
ilk sedulousy parading the third term
question and endeavoring to give itprom-
inence in their editorial columns. But
the course of President Grant gives no
indication that he has any such thoughts
in his mind. and until such Indications are
given, it is not worth while to be annoy
ed by the vaporings of irresponsible cor
respondents and editors.