8427. THIRD TERM, Dangers of.—
My
opinion originally was that the President of
the United States should have been elected
for seven years, and forever ineligible afterwards.
I have since become sensible that
seven years is too long to be irremovable, and
that there should be a peaceable way of withdrawing
a man in midway who is doing
wrong. The service for eight years, with a
power to remove at the end of the first four,
comes nearly to my principle as corrected by
experience; and it is in adherence to that, that
I determine to withdraw at the end of my
second term. The danger is that the indulgence
and attachments of the people will keep
a man in the chair after he becomes a dotard,
that reelection through life shall become habitual,
and election for life follow that. General
Washington set the example of voluntary
retirement after eight years. I shall follow
it. And a few more precedents will oppose
the obstacle of habit to any one after awhile
who shall endeavor to extend his term. Perhaps
it may beget a disposition to establish it
by an amendment of the Constitution. I believe
I am doing right, therefore, in pursuing
my principle. I had determined to declare my
intention, but I have consented to be silent
on the opinion of friends, who think it best
not to put a continuance out of my power
in defiance of all circumstances. There is,
however, but one circumstance which could
engage my acquiescence in another election;
to wit, such a division about a successor, as
might bring in a monarchist. But that circumstance
is impossible.—
To John Taylor. Washington ed. iv, 565.
Ford ed., viii, 339.
(W.
Jan. 1805)
