Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-08-19
THIRD TERM TALK
It is Growing in Volume in Regard
to Mr.. Cleveland.
CASES OF gems. JACKSON And GRANT
The Former Declined and Com
bination Defeated the Latter.
THE PRESIDENTS SILENCE

The talk of third term for Mr.. Cleve-
land is growing in volume. One hears 1t
from represents ptative men of both parties.
A great variety of opinions are expressed.
AS shrewd an observer as Mr.. Quay among
the republicans declares that If the fnan-
cial question is kept to the fore Mr. Cleve-
land is likely to receive another nomina-
ton. He likewise declares that, despite the
tradition respecting third term, Mr.. Cieve-
land would run we'll next year. Mr.. Whit
ney, among the democrats, although eX-
pressing himself more cautiously, and with
regard to his own position as probable
factor in the fight, is Of the same opinion.
On the other hand, men like Gov. Stone of
Missouri and Henry Wattarson enter
vigorous protest at the bare suggestion, and
assert that Mr. Cleveland a third term
candidate would not carry a state in the
Union.
discussion at once leads to the careers of
Andrew jackson ana Gen Gram, and like
nesses are sought for points bearing OH the
present case. Mr.. Cleve.anis career. as Il
matter of fact, bears no striking resem-
blance to the career of either of those men,
but because Jackson served twice as Presi-
dent and had a strong hold on his party
at the close of his second term. and be-
cause the effort mai, 20 give Gen.
Grant a third term, the politicians find
much in the history of those two periods
to stimulate their speculation.
The Case of Jackson.
Why was not Gen. Jackson put UP for a
third term? Was 1t solely because of the
Washington precedent? He was completely
the master of the situation at the time.
He had put down all opposition in his own
party. He had dished Calhoun, who had
aspired to succeed him, and Van Buren,
who enjoyed the highest favor with him
and who did succeed him. was his servant
to command. The best accepted authori-
ties are agreed that JacksoE's simple word
was law to his party. Jackson did not
offer for a third term, but put up Van
Buren, and elected him, and in that way
had his policies col tinued and his friends
cared for. 'JackSon's gang as Mr. Clay
scornfully denominated the Jacksonian fol-
lowers, were all Kept in their places by the
new administration. Gen. Jackson in 1886
was an old man, nearly seventy. His
health was poor and something of the mel
ancholy that preyed upon Darrell OConnell
in his closing days had seized him. He
and Ionged for rest. He lived nine years
after leaving the White House. 1t is true,
but his friends always insisted that this
was purely the result of his complete sur
render of the burdens of office.
What Defeated Grant.
What defeated the attempt to nominate
General Grant at Chicago in 1880 for
third term? The influence solely of the
Washington precedent? The attempt but
barely missed success. Three hundred and
six delegates to the convention, gathered
from all sections of the country, ard led
by one of the purest and ablest men in the
country, stood for days insisting upon the
nomination They were willing to take the
risk Mr.. Conkling could see nothing un-
patriotic, nothing dangerous to the country,
in his program. His eulogies of Gen. Grant
were applauded by the whole convention,
but whenever vote was ordered the
Blaine men and the Sherman men. though
of anybody, would record themselves
against the third term project. Did the
Washington precedent control them? or
were they remembering the fate Of their
favorites at Cincinnati in 1876 when both
had met defeat through the instrumentality
of the Grant and Conkling influence? At
any rate it was the Blaine and Sherman
forces that finally overthrew Mr.. Conk-
ling, and this led to the assertion at the
time that the practical politics of the day,
and not the presidential precedent set near
ly hundred years before had decided the
issue in the convention Mr. Conkling and
his followers never recanted. but, on the
other hand, had medal struck to COM
n emorate the contest.
As to Mr.. Cleveland.
In discussing Mr.. Cleveland's case in
the light of this history the politicians
note the differer ces that exist. Gen. jack
sen was old and infirm when the close of
his second term approached. His party
was a unit on public questions and his
word was law to every member of it. Any
man designated by him could have been
elected President. Van Buren, simply for
being Jackson's choice was elected Presi-
dent. Mr.. Cleveland is not yet sixty years
of age, and is in the most robust health
He is probably good for twenty years
mere of active life. His party is torn and
divided as never before since slavery days.
Another nomination is suggested for him
because of the belief that he alone can
hope to succeed. The doctor, 1t is held, who
has thrown the party into fits must certain
ly be specialist in the treatment of that
disorder, and must come forward now and
cure the patient. The bearing of the Grant
episode is thought to be less direct than 1t
might be for the reason that as strong a
man as Mr.. Conkiing always held that the
contest at Chicago in 1880 was not decided
on the third-term issue, but by success
full combination of the friends of the men
who had gone down in defeat at Cincinnati
four years before.
Meanwhile, with all the politicians busy
with the topic, burrowing in history and
developing many lines of so-called thought
Mr.. Cleveland himself is preserving a nine
teenth-century silence that a sphinx might
envy.