Evening star., 1896-01-20
THE THIRD TERM
There Is a Movement to Again
Nominate Cleveland.
PROPOSED WAY TO Head IT OFF
Rally Around Some Strong Anti
Third Temer.
COL. MORRISON THE BEST

Can the third term movement be headed
off?
There is q third term movement. The
confessions Of number of prominent dem
CcratS in attendance on the meeting of the
rational committee last week plainly re-
vealed this fact. Men from the northwest,
as well as men from the east, frankly avow-
ed that in their judgment Mr.. Cleveland was
still the strongest man in the party and
ought again to be nominated They are men
of experience, and also good partisans. They
are likewise men of influence, and unless re-
strained in some way are likely to shape
their activities in accordance with their
opinion about this matter. Restraint, it is
held by prominent anti-third termers, can
only come in one or the other Of two ways.
Mr.. Cleveland, by public dehverance must
prohibit such activity, or else a movement
in behalf of some other candidate, begun
at orce. must develop such strength in dem
ocratic strongholds as will operate as
warning to the third termers to desist.
Will MIR. Cleveland Speaks
Will Mr.. Cleveland speak? There was a
report that he would do so while the nation
al committee was in session, but he did not.
He has talent for silence when his personal
fortunes are involved. Nobody is author
admirers, 1t is true, express the opinion that
he does not desire another term and has no
thought Of another nomination, but they do
not pretend to commit him by this. These
mems wishes are fathers to their thoughts,
but at the same time nothing is more GER
tain than that they will Loyalty support Mr..
Cleveland again If the third term managers
succeed with their program. They are not
active anti-third termers. If Mr.. Cleve-
land does not speak they will remain pas
sive and patiently await results.
If the anti-third termers decide upon ac-
tion. to whom will they turn for leader
ship: Mr.. Cleveland's strength is to be
reckoned by the fact that but two names
are suggested In reply to this question. Mr..
OlRey would not answer. nor Mr.. Whitney,
nor Mr.. Stevenson. nor Mr.. Dickinson.
They are all connected with Mr.. Cleveland
In way to make it imL ossible for them
to appear in opposition to him. And SO it
is tina. only Col. William r. Morrison of
Illinois and Gov. Matthews of Indiana are
considered eligible in connection with the
leadership of movement which, IL in
augurated, will convey so distinct chal-
lenge to the third term people
~ Col. Morrison's Availability.
: OF these two men Col. Morrison, by rea-
son of his age and experience, is easily
first. Gov. Matthews possesses both char
acter and ability, and his views on the
subject of finance are in thorough sympa-
thy with those entertained by the demo-
Gratis of the south and west, but he has
never held national office and, besides, is
personally a stranger to many Of the ma
tional leaders of his party. Col. Morrison.
on the other hand. is both veteran and
a leader in the national field. He stands
among the king makers and has more
than oncs come near to being made king
hlmsef. He has many ardent admirers
among prominent democrats, and especially
n ha 10 ,o1I
served with him III Congress and fought
under his leadership when the party was
doing legislative battle for genuine tariff
reform He is personally very popular, be-
ing plain man of direct address, loyal in
his friendships, and courageous in the sup
port of his opinions.
Effect of a Rally Around Him,
Suppose the anti-third termers rally
around Col. Morrison. What battle will be
likely to follow! 1t is no secret that Mr..
Cleveland and Col. Morrison are not on
cordial terms with each other. Several
stories are told in explanation of the matter.
The reason, whatever 1t may be, is not i'm
portant. The fact is, and it is the fact that
is now engaging attention. The candidacy
of Col. Morrison, if pushed with vigor,
would, it is thought, promptly develop the
real situation at the White House. Mr.
Cleveland, 10 is predicted, would in such
circumstances in one way or another be
compelled to show his hand. He would
either have to give sanction to what is now
being done in his own behalf, or else in dis
countenancing that activity would publicly
CIR privately have to play for position from
which he might hope to influence the con-
vention's choice If he is to hope to be sue
ceeded in office by a man of his own choice.
Early or Late State Conventions.
Will the state conventions in the demo-
cratic strongholds be held early or late?
If they are held early, and instructions are
voted for Col. Morrison, lively times will
follow in the east, and especially in those
quarters where, in default of securing Mr..
Cleveland, the third termers are cherishing
the purpose of nominating Mr.. Olney. If
the democratic strongholds are late in act
ing, or in selecting their delegates fail or re-
fuse to instruct them, the effecT It is pre-
dicted, will be to make the Cleveland con-