The Coconino weekly sun. [volume] (Flagstaff, Ariz.) 1891-1896, 1895-09-05
THIRD TERM TALK.
Little Prospect of tho President Again
Entering the Lists.

Little Prospect of tho President Again
Entering the Lists.
There are some indications that Mr.
Cleveland really desires to be third.
term candidate for the presidency. He
has probably persuaded himself that
his reelection is necessary to the safe
ty of n country whose people, as de-
scribcd by Ambassador Bayard, are
'strong, self-confident, and oftentimes
violent" Regarding himself as man
of destiny, such conclusion would not
be unnatural But it is easy to see
that nomination for another term, even
If it could be obtained, would prove
the sorest disaster of Mr.. Cleveland's
career. 1t would expose him to test
which his reputation could not possibly
survive. Unquestionably Mr.. Cleve-
land is man Of mainly honest pur-
pose. He has exhibited, rs to some
measures OF policy-notably that OF
free silver coinagc-commendable de-
cision and tirmness of character. But
he has been hcadstrong and intolerant
of counsel; in his inordinate self-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 o
virile and vigilant solicitude for the
protection of American interests and
rights; he has pcr.stently antagonizsd
the sound industrial policy which has
contributed so enormously to our
national prosperity; and he has per-
mitted a dcbauchcry 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 rcbulsc and condemnation.
The wiser and more sagaclous lead
crs of the party realize, if Mr.. Cleve-
land does not, that his denomination,
for these and other reasons, would be
an act of supcrlative folly. They rec
ognize especially the force of the ma
tional antipath to the third-term idea.
That aatipathy 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 n permanent personal government
cmbodying all the attributes of mon
archy. They feel that there would be
danger to our institutions in the in
vestiture of a self-willcd and arrogant
man like Mr.. Cleveland with perma-
hence of authority. These considera-
tons arc quite sufficient to beget 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
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 a
single county in any state of the
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 shrewd suspicion
that even Mr.. Whitneys declarations
are colored by self interest. He may
himself be candidate, when the
movement for Mr.. Cleveland collapses,
and the help Of the administration in
that event would be a 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
Leslie's Weekly.