Rensselaer Union, Volume 7, Number 7, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 5 November 1874 — A THIRD PRESIDENTIAL TERM. [ARTICLE]

A THIRD PRESIDENTIAL TERM.

Even that eminently respectable, staid and conservative Republican newspaper, the New York Evening Post, gives respectful attention to the statement tnat Mr. Grant aspires to a third term in the Presidential office; and in a recent editorial admits the possibility of such ambitious hopes in Mr. Grant's breast, genteelly expostulates with him for entertaining them, and points out the grave dangers that might beset the Republic should the people consent to such an innovation upon established precedent. The Indianapolis Journal, whose orthodox Republicanism is unquestioned, feels constrained to talk thus plainly to Mr. Grant about his idiosincracy: Whatever the President may choose to say or think about the third term business, that question has assumed considerable imjxirtance in the judgment of the American people, and we cannot hut think that his treatment of it is, if not uncandid, at least very unfortunate. We do not underrate General Grant’s strong points of character, nor the great services he has rendered the country. We would not detract one iota from his well-earned fame, nor pluck a single fragment from the laurel wreath which a gratified people have placed upon his brow. But in our opinion he has never before so completely misinterpreted the temper and sentiments of the American people as he has done “land is doing in his treatment of the third term question. Whether he believes it or not, we tell him that thousands and hundreds of thousands of original Republicans have less respect for him to-day than they had a year ago, and that the Republican party as an organization has suffered severe injuFy by reason of his mistaken course on this subject. We tell him that the third term agitation was ope of the many causes which contributed to the recent Democratic victory in this State, and that in so far he is responsible not only for the Republican defeat here, but for the discouragement which that defeat has brought to Republicans in other States. We tell him, further, that the best elements of the Republican party, including all the men in the party who are Republicans from principle, and who have no favors to ask, are opposed to his re-election and can not be induced to favor it by any process of political manipulation that may be adopted. Even if the third term suggestion were not opposed to American ideas and traditions, the present tone of national politics and administration is not such as intelligent Republicans are anxious to continue; and neither federal patronage, party caucuses, nor party nominations, nor all of these combined, can shake their determi nation not to reelect him for a third term.

Although it is a partial digression from the subject discussed we direct especial attention to that sentence above which says that present tone of national poli- ; tics and administration is not such as intelligent Republicans are anx- ; ions to continue.” Accepting this as a true reflex of the sentiment of that class of voters, the question very naturally arises why they so strongly insisted only a tew weeks ago on the election of men to Congress who by their speeches and platforms endorsed the administration,and of men to the Legislature that were pledged to return Mr. Pratt to the United States Senate, when he more than any other man with whom the people of Indiana then had to reckon was responsible for giving the present undesired and undesirable tone to our fiational politics? When the Journal says that intelligent Republicans are not anxious to continue the present condition of public affairs does it thereby intend to impeach the intelligence of honesty of those who voted the Republican ticket this fall, or those who still advocate its claims upon popular favor ? It is with unfeigned pleasure that The Union sees this frankness and spirit of liberality displayed by its. eminent contemporary, and perhaps it may be pardoned tor the vanity of thinking that its influence though feeble may have contributed to the sentiment which is thus authora. tively acknowledged to exist among intelligent people. To those who think there can be no question that the election of any man to a third Presidential term, no matter how patriotic, how wise, or how fair his record, would be to establish a dangerous precedent.— The ramifications of patronage are so extensive, the army of his appointees is so large, and the influence he wields is so mighty, that there is great danger he might be tempted after twelve years to prolong his term through life. The history of France during President Louis Napoleon Bonaparte’s admim istration teaches what a life presidency means—that it is the death of a republic and the e<ta^* s^ulcnt

of an imperial government in its; stead. The footsteps ,of imperialism must necessanally be stealthy at first in a nation like ours, where education, intelligence and patriotism are so universal. But do we not begin to hear their muffled treaa? Why is all our legislation in the interests of capital? Why was it necessary to double the President’s salary? Why was the military office of General created in a time of peace? Why is the press assailed, legislated against, and an* attempt made to cuitail its liberty of expression ? Why are usurping governors of States protected by military force? Why are armed troops sent to different parts of the country to overawe the people and influence elections? It is proverbial that an appeal to arms Is the final argument of despots. Tyrants always create an apparent necessity for their usurpations, their violations of law, their evasions or disregard of constitutional compacts, and for trampling under foot the traditions, precedents and established customs of a people where they interfere with their own ambitious schemes. We do not believe that any man can be elected to the Presidency of the Republic of the United States of America for a third term while the present generation lives; but when such able minds as Senator Conklin and Senator Brownlow favor it, when party State conventions adopt resolutions advocating it as the South Carolina Republican convention did, and when such influential newspapers as the New York Evening Pfsl, New York Times, Bonner’s Ledger, Baltimore American, Indianapolis Journal, St. Louis Globe, Auburn Advertiser, and Concord Monitor, that have hitherto been enthusiastic admirers of President Grant, deploringly admit his ambition in this direction and tremble at the calamities likely to follow from it if gratified, there is no impropriety in the people, all of whom are directly interested, discussing the subject at their firesides.

The body of John Sliner Whs found in the canal at ,Logansport last week; under circumstances which lead to the conclusion that he committed suicide. At one time he had been clerk in the Government Land office at Winqmac; more recently clerk for Mr. Dodds when Collector of Internal Revenue, for some time was Assistant Assessor of Internal Revenue, and subsequently Internal Revenue Storekeeper. Family afflictions aijd pecuniary difficulties had preyed heavily upon his spirits of late years, and it is supposed that in an attack of despondency he sought rehei from the burdens of life in the dark uncertainties of death. The wife and three children of Elijah Gliding, living near Warsaw, were poisoned a few® days since, and their recovery is doubtful.— Suspicion rests upon the husband and father, as he was seen putting a white powder—arsenic—in their food.— South Bend Register. Should think as much! If we saw a man split another’s head open with an ax, shoot a load of buck shot into his bowels, or mingle ratsbane wijh his coffee, and the victim should die from the effects of such treatment, we would strongly suspect the perpetrator was guilty of his crime.

A stone ax—-an interesting relic of the prehistoric people that once dwelt, and warred, and loved, and joyed, and sorrowed, and hoped, and worshiped in this beautiful land where we now live; but whose wars, loves, joys, sorrows, religion, hopes, ambitions, occupations, language, manners and customs are hidden in the deep, black grave of oblivion, never again to be known by earth’s inhabitants while time shall reign—was recently ploughed up in a field near Plymouth, Marshall county. David Clinger, nineteen years old, attempted to board a moving train of cars at Star City last week, missed hia calculation, fell beneath and received injuries from which he died within two hours thereafter. Mr. Joseph S. Stockton—“ Sile” —was defeated for commissioner of Tippecanoe county, at the late election, by a healthy majority of five hundred and twentv-four.