Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1895-10-22
The Thjrd-Ternt Idea.


That was an interesting reference 10
the third-term idea which we gave 10
our readers in our last issue. We learn
from il that General Washington's ex-
annie was spoken of, in 1919 as now, az
the unwritten law of the republic we
learn also that General Grant did not
positively refuse to run for third lerhl'
lint gave out that he might consider IL
his duty to accept the nomination II IL
should appear that the salvation OF Inc
country depended upon HE yielding 10
the voice of the people. We learn also
that the danger of nomination and cleo
ton for third term had be
come so evident that the He
publican state Convention Of PennSyNa-
mia had adopted resolution declaring
against the nomination vr General Grant
or anybody else for a third term. ON
this Interesting an1 important subject
the Hon. b. Il. Douglas, of Virginia
spoke ont. in 1915. as follows
.T'nless he should speak out more eN-
rIicit!y. | prophesy that the southern
Radicals and the army of once-hoidefs
who look on Grant as the grand almoner
OF the nation. will muster in soma piid-
lsnx for him In the next convention 10
nominate a Republican candidate for the
presidency. Such disciplined host. ami
mated by intensified Self-interest, VIII
be apt 10 prove too much for the oiher
aspirants. but a frank and positive with
drawaI would greatly strengthen the
northern wing of the party.
Mr.. Douglas proved to be a prophet.
The army Of office holders mustered in
SOLID phaianx for Grant. backed by the
southern Radicals, and but for the Won
derful popularity Of Mr.. Blaine would
have hosted General Grant into
the presidency for the third term. or
to state correctly what would have fol-
lowed. would have placed General Grant
IN that Office for life. That was the mean
ing of a third term then, whatever 1t
might mean now. Mr.. Blaine led the an
ti-third-termers in the Republican Nation
al Convention, and Mr. Conkling led the
third-termers. IT was battle royal
which took place in that convention be-
tween Mr.. Blaine and the best OF the
Republicans. on one side, and Mr.. Conk-
ling and the worst of the Republicans,
IN the other side The Immortal 3OG'
stood by General Grant and Mr. Blaine
as long as there was any reason to hope
that their efforts would prove success
full.
There is a different contition Of things
in the Democratic party now from that
which obtained in the Republican party
in 1876. There is now no Radical host
TO be mustered into the service of the
incumbent. The incumbent is not known
indeed. to be an aspirant to the nominal
ton for a third term. and IL would be
unjust to him, who has always denounced
the interference Of Federal officers III
elections, 10 assume that his silence on
the subject now indicates that he would
like to receive the nomination OF the next
Democratic national convention.
However. we did not set out with the
intention OF discussing the third-terin
idea. but merely to show that in 1910
the country stood in real peril, whereas
now II stands in no peril. The voice of
the people goes up to Washington every
day from all parts Of the land, ana that
voice gives out no uncertain sound. The
people desire and will have no third-'erm
President