Mexico weekly ledger., 1898-08-18

the multitudinous seas cannot cleanse it;
all the perfumes of Araby the Blest can
not sweeten him so as to render him
persona grata to Democratic nostrils.
But If he were the best, truest and
greatest Democrat that ever lived he
would still be ont of the question. Leav-
ing his personality out of the case, there
is an insuperable obstacle to even con-
sidering him, and that is that it is writ
ten by the finger of fate on the scroll OF
destiny that no man shall be president
for more than two terms.
It is a matter of general information
that a large portion OF our law is I'M
written, or, in the Latin phrase, lex
non scripta. We inherited this body OF
law from England along with
the scheme of two houses for our con-
gress and lots Of other things, good,
bad and Indifferent.
washinston's Example.
In addition to this inherited unwritten
law, we have made some unwritten
laws of our own, one of which is that
two terms of the presidency are enough
for any man. Through all the mutations
of 100 years we have stuck to that
with mistaken fidelity. 1t is as much a
part of the constitution as though it had
been written therein by the hands of
the fathers.
Among the many great deeds of
George Washington is his refusal to &C.
cept a third term. The more Think and
read about him the more firmly con-
WINGED am I that God, in his infinite
wisdom and inexhaustible kindness to
us, raised him up especially to accom-
plish our freedom.
Suppose a case. Suppose Washington
had accepted a third term and had died
when he did die. He would have died
in the presidential Office, and the prece-
dent then would have been in favor Of
life tenure. But fortunately he lived
past the end of his second term and de-
clined a third term, of which he was
certain, thereby setting the precedent of
two terms.
Then came Thomas jefferson, the
philosopher, patriot, statesman and sage,
who also declined a third term, which
he could easily have secured, such was
his boundless popularity, thereby con-
frming Washington's precedent.
Madison, Monroe and jackson did
likewise, and as we are a people much
given to following presidents the two
term principle became part and parcel
Of our unwritten law.
Only one man ever tried to violate it,
and he failed.
Grants Failure.
1t is safe to say that what General
Grant could not do, with his martial
fame and worldwide popularity, no
mere civilian will be able to accom-
plish. What was honor enough for
Washington, Jefferson, Madison, Mon
roe, jackson, Lincoln and Grant people
will most probably consider honor
enough for any man. So the fool friends
of G. g. may as we'll look out for a new
joss to worship.
Indeed the people, instead of being
willing to give presidents three terms
each, are unwilling to give most of them
even two, for out of the 20 men whom
they have elected to the presidency
they have reelected only eight. So the
thing may as we'll be taken as res
judicata in the high court of the Amer
lean people.
I have always contended that count
less good things appear in the country
newspapers to be read once and forgot
ten. Here is n of them. John W.
Jacks, the conservative editor of The
Standard of Montgomery City, No., on
this subject says, and says we'll:
Rainbow chasing eastern editors see hope for
Grover Cleveland as q probable Democratic
candidate in 1900, says the Chicago Dispatch.
There is no reason why such an idea should
be suggested, and there is not the slightest
probability that such an event will take place.
The rainbow chasers base their visions of place
for Cleveland on his speech opposing the Re-
publican idea of imperialism. But in that
speech Cleveland simply echoed William j.
Bryan.
Ii Cleveland wants to run for president as
the nominee of the gold Democracy, he will
find 1t perhaps amusing, but certainly not
profitable. In 1896 the gold Democrats cast
10000 votes. In 1900 they may cast $4,000 votes,
estimating that 10 per cent Of that party re-
mains true to the organization.
But in any event Cleveland is not a presi-
Dental possibility. The third term idea was
killed with a much mere deserving and popu-
lar candidate in the person Of General Grant.
The Cleveland candidacy romance has no basis
whatever, not even being entitled to the claim
Of a "founded upon fact" dime novel.
Brother Jacks states the whole case
in a nutshell. His words are the words
of soberness, conservatism, common
sense and plain patriotism. Impractical
enthusiasts should paste Jacks editorial
in their hats and wear it during the dog
days just as other people wear cabbage
leaves in their headgear to prevent their
brain pans from becoming overheated
and as an antidote for undue cerebral
excitement.
Congressman Cochran.
One of the most interesting among
the new members of the house is Colo
mel Charles Fremont Cochran Of Mis-
souri,. His head is a veritable storeroom
of information. Being both lawyer and
editor, he possesses the lawyers powers
of analysis and the EDITORS instinct for
news and the faculty Of stating his
opinions in a terse, concise, vigorous,
luminous style. One may not always
agree with Cochran, but there is no
trouble whatever in finding out what he
believes on any subject under heaven.
He keeps his opinions constantly on tap.
In debate he ranks high, being a de-
cidedly hard hitter. In this congress he
has perhaps participated in as many de-
bates as any man in the house except
General Grosvenor of Ohio, who ap-
pears to think that he is a sort Of ex
oficio member of every committee and
who has a lurking suspicion that no
question has been thoroughly discussed
until he has taken a whack at it.
Knowing Cochran to be a radical
Democrat, Wondered a great deal as to
how he happened to be named for the
first Republican nominee for president.
I knew there must be some queer his
tory connected with a thing SO unnatu.
raj, so after I got we'll acquainted with
him I one day said, Cochran, how
did you come by your Christian name?''
He laughingly replied: my father was
q strong Democrat. I was born about