322 WHAT WASHINGTON THOUGHT OF A THIRD TERM. against a third consecutive term in the Presidency will be found to apply as well but, of course, with proportionably less force to a second consecutive term. They proceed upon the postulate that, if a plurality of terms is possible, the executive in power will shape its course and use its patronage, more or less, with a view to retain power, whereas, could a President by no possibility remain in office for more than a single term, he would have less to divert him from making the public good his single aim. These arguments grow very largely out of the possible corrupt use of public patronage. They would very largely disappear could the ingenuity of the country invent some method, untainted with nepotism and favoritism, of distributing public employment. The arguments against a third consecutive term are the very arguments which were urged, without success, against a second consecutive term, in the Convention presided over by Washington, which framed the Constitution. Moreover it is to be borne in mind that Washington is the statuesque embodiment of the Federalist idea. Jefferson, Madison, Monroe, Jackson, all of them professing a different school of political ethics, and all of them accepting a second term, might very consistently have objected to a plurality of terms, —to the proposal to prolong the tenure of this high office beyond the four years’ limit fixed by the Constitution. They were all advocates of a frequent return of the powers conferred by the Constitution on official personages to the constituent body which conferred them. But rotation in office was no part of the philosophy of the Federalists. Permanency — undisturbed continuance in office — these were, with them, among the most important objects to be secured, in the administration of government. Experience in office was, with that party, almost the highest qualification for office. For them, the assumption of such powers as seemed to them necessary for administering the new government had no terrors.* The State of Virginia, and large numbers of leading men in other parts of the country, had been induced to accept the Federal Constitution, though not wholly satisfactory to them, in the hope of having Washington, with his well-known broad views of personal authority, for the first executive. And
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MTM4ODY=