Year: 1873

Ceesartsm-Thc Issue Before the Coun-


try-A semi-Omcial qhreat.


When the Gallo hordes under Brennus.
having overrun Northern Italy, arrived be-
fore Rome, the city was saved, it is said, from
sack and destruction by the geese of the Capt.
tol Over the very Tarpeian Rock from whose
summit public malefactors were hurled to
death the Gauls were pouring. In an hour
the sleeping city would have been in their
hands had not the cackling of the geese raised
an alarm and frightened the barbarians from
their night attack. Rome may well have
cried in thankfulness to the gods and there
after declared the humble anser of the Capitol
bird as sacred as the Egyptian Ibis. The
Roman General Camillus earned fame
for his rapid onslaught upon the rude tribes
and his slaughter thereof but the capi-
toline geese were more to be thanked
than all his eagles. Certain journals
of both parties, from their sense of Sc
curity in the mightiness of the American
Republic, invite us to go soundly asleep for
three years to come and let the question Of
C@sarism be treated or fought then, if at all
They would trust to the geese of the Capitol
in the meantime The pomp and power Of
Cwsarism may eat their way into the very
heart of our body polite. and, according to
these wise men, we are to rely upon the
warning scream of geese to arouse us before
the final masterstroke is accomplished. A
sorry argument. We have no intention that
C@sarism shall be allowed to steal upon our
last stronghold in the night while vigilance
can detect it on the march. Let the geese be
ever so ready to scream, they could not save
our liberties nowadays If the Caesar and his
ordered legions were about to take the citadel
Of freedom by storm. Let those secure in
Office or despairing from continued defeat
chloroform themselves into political
an@sthesia we ore determined that the grasp
Of Caesar shall not be upon us without the
country having had timely warning. We do
not care to trust to geese, whose necks may
be wrung before they have time to scream.


The ample discussion which the subject is
those who view the subject from the stand
| point of patriotism-that is outside of all
mere party issues. Instead of the cynical
smiles Of the first days wherein the question
was agitated we now observe seriousness Of
| expression in what the journals of the country
have to say By and by we shall be able to
develop how far the conspiracy to elect Presi-
dent Grant for third term has taken shape
among the superserviceable. We call particu-
lar attention to the following extract from an
article in the Washington Republican, the
semi-oficiL organ of the administration. 1t
has. doubtless, surprised q good many; but
when an inspired journal so readily resolves
to take its stand we may expect more
of the same kind from those anxious
to please the powers that be. 1t says -
While the administration occupies this attitude
Of entire indifference the subject, Il cannot be
denied that the present sanderous warfare that Is
being waged upon the President has created a


large body OF his supporters feeling that is as
likely to sweep the country as not ana give him ma


more overwhelming than he received In 6S or in III


The question will naturally be asked, Is this
threat the answer of the tone-givers of the
republican party to an invitation to join in the
discussion If 80, they have, indeed, chosen
plan by which, President Grant consenting,
failure to elect him for a third term would
be impossible. Translated into direct Eng
lish, it is that if everybody is content with
General Grant he should serve another term,
because Of the universal satisfaction he has
given; and, if anybody is discontented with
President Grant, d fortiori, should he be
forced to serve another term? The Columbia
IS. c. Union Herald takes the former ground.
1t says -


This idea Is taking the unmistakable shape OF
American public opinion, and the more we reflect
upon the proposition the more favor 1t meets with
In our eyes. There Is but one way to cover
up the past forever and convince the democratic
party that we meant business when we beat them


In the last campaign and that Is to reelec General
Grant for another term.


Other republican journals of the same stripe
put out feelers in the same direction. We are
aware that, had there been no discussion Of
the third term question these journals would
have guarded discreet silence for some time
longer. But it is better for the republican
party and the nation that a perfect under
standing should exist regarding the positions
of all. Covert favor of the third term project
is what we most deprecate. Let us know
where the party and its divisions stand. -
We are happy to say that the republican
journals are not oil so forgetful of their
country's highest interests Says the Boston
| Traveller -


| Were he to run for third term he would vio-
late no law, nor would ne disregard any provision
| OF the constitution; but he would offend prescrp-
tlon, and prescription IS stronger than law, men
| making OF 1t a thorough constitution provision,
which binds them, and law that they gladly obey.
President washington laid down the law for
them on this matter, and we yet feel the weight
| Of fWashngton's shadow


| This is outspoken, but not more so than
the Newark Advertiser, which says -


We do not believe that the people OF the United
States will ever confer third term upon any
President. 1t Is contradiction OF the higher law
OF the republican theory and the people would so
look upon IL, making this exceptional ruler '5us-
pect" from the moment OF his oath or ONCE"
Thia journal c0nsiders that every of II,