The herald., 1896-03-01
THE THIRD TERM QUESTION

The Journals able and comprehensive
symposium of opinions on the subject OF a
third term for Mr.. Cleveland has excited
tied with setting at rest forever tne rauner
useless discussion as to the wisdom or ex-
pediency of presidential third terms IN
general. The opinions of eminent men,
bers of both political parties indicate
with clearness that there is no unwritten
law which places limit 10 a presiueise,s
ambition for third, a fourth, or even fifth
term, As ex-senator Ingalls, very, prop
ery remarks: 1.-THE people can be en-
trusted confidently with the custody OF TINS
and all other questions affecting the SAFETY
of republican institutions" we nave pc
hind us no monarchical tradition, ike
France, and we consequently nave no hesu
70 fear relapse into subjection to the
..one-man power.'' The people holds IN its
sovereign hand the full force to correct, at
a moments notice, the actions OF any
president who shall presume upon his
office, and arrogate to himself privileges
and functions not lawfully his.
forth, it is not even remotely prooabie
that the founders of the republic had any
foar Of a third term "bugabOo." Washing
ton declined to serve a third time because
he was weary of the cares OF state' ana
wanted to retire to country life; ana Jetler-
son might have relented II he nad neei,
urged a little more pressingly. The third
term episode in the political career OF 1eI-
eral Grant was unfortunate for nm. IL
nermitted and seemed to emphaslze the
objection of his opponents, that he was
great soldier who had twice been president;
and, having acquired a taste for pohtlcai
life. had decided to remain in 1t perlna-
nantjv. The cry about n possible dictator
shin was a political manoeuvre. shrewdiy
manared and extremely effective; and 1t IS
rasrons,hle for most of the "third term
SCARF which has prevailed ever since.
That fear now being relegated to the cao-
met of political antiquities, 1t tn, Is necessary
nation for Mr.. Cleveland as one numbered
by no traditions, and only governed oy the
Us,estion of expediency. Senators morgan
and sherman express some apprehension
"a to the effect that third term might
have in accustoming the people 10 tne cen
tha accountablity of representatives
of the people into subordnation TO Ihe
will and patronage OF the president. but
the very fact that they are so awe 10 AL
entirely imaginary danger shows now I'M
| possibie il is for an American presioent 70
| become o dictator. Our preslucii,s u"So :.
more mower than some kings; but they can
no reduced to iraction by entirely legal
nroceseep, while unruly kings cannot.
Mr.. r. r, Coudert, who knows Mr.. Cieve.
land we'll, tells us that the presloeh'
would not hesitate to accept a fourth nom
ination, if he felt convinced that the pam pam
of duty lay in that direction. IN Sne coz
t;rUencv of serious difficulty with England
fsit for instance, over the settlement Of the
Venezuela question which he raiseu VIII!
| an much spirit, supported with SUCH iervon' '.
natriotism, and in which he hau tne SUP
@ port of the nation, it might be his duty vt, t.
stand at the head of his party. anu raiee. arJep
aI;le Iii Of the sinister prophecies of his .po
Utica litical " opponents and Of the disgruntlee
members Of his own political organization
New York Journal.