The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1895-09-06
cLgvELANo's THIRD TERM.
Little Prospect OF the President Asatz
Entering the Lists.

Entering the Lists.
There are some indications that Mr..
Cleveland really desires to be a third
term candidate for the presidency Hs
has probably persuaded himself that
his reelection is necessary to the safe
ty of country whose people, as de-
scribed by Ambassador Bayard, are
strong, self-confldent, and oftentimes
violent" Regarding himself as man
of destiny, such conclusion would not
be unnatural But il is easy to sea
that nomination for another term, even
Ii it could be obtained. would prove
the sorest disaster of Mr.. Cleveland's
career. 1t would expose him to a test
which his reputation could not possibly
survive. Unquestionably Mr.. Cleve-
land is man of mainly honest pur-
pose. He mas exhibited, as to some
measures of policy-notably that of
free silver coinage-commendab de-
cision and firmness of character. But
he has been headstrOng and intolerant
of counsel; in his inordinate seif-con-
ceit he has been slow to profit by the
lessons of experience, slow to perceive
and recognize the demands of the
popular will; he has, especially in our
foreign relations, failed to manifest
virile aud vigilant solicitude for the
protection of American interests and
rights; he has peristently antagonized
the sound industrial policy which has
contributed so enormously to our
national prosperity; and he has per
mitted a debauchery of the public
service in the interest of greedy parts
anship, alike in violation of his own
engagements and in contempt of the
public good. These are faults and
offenses which, in the present temper
of the American people, would inevita-
bly, provoke rebuke and condemnation
The wiser and more sagacious lead
ers of the party realize, If Mr.. Cleve.
land does not, that his denomination.
for these and other reasons, would bs
an act of superlative folly. They rec
ognize especially the force of the ma
tional antipathy to the third-term idea
That antipathy is founded on the high
est patriotism. 1t cannot be overcome
by any persuasion or argument The
people of this country do not believe
in permanent personal government
embodying all the attributes % a mon
archy They feel that there would be
danger to our institutions in the in
vestiture of a self-willed and arrogant
man like Mr.. Cleveland with perma-
nence of authority. These considera-
tions are quite sufficient to beget t,on
the part of thoughtful democrats
vigorous opposition to any and every
movement looking to his continuance
in the party leadership. So far Mr..
Whitney is the only man of real prom
inence and admitted influence who has
ventured to express belief in Mr..
Cleveland's availability. Mr.. Henry
Watterson more nearly expresses the
prevalent conviction of sagacious party
observers when he says that if renom-
mated the president would not carry q
single county in any state of ths
union. This, of course, is an exag-
geration, but it indicates the intensity
of the opposition which Mr.. Cleve-
lands apparent candidacy has awak-
ened. And there is a shrewd suspicion
that even Mr.. Whitney's declarations
are colored by self interest. He may
himself be a candidate, when the
movement for Mr.. Cleveland collapses,
and the help of the administration in
that event would be very important
factor in his behalf.
We do not regard the realization of
the third-term ambition of Mr.. Cleve-
land, if he really aspires to succeed
himself, as among the possibilities
IeSlie'S Weekly