The Caucasian. (Clinton, N.C.) 188?-1913, 1901-06-20
THIRD TERM TALK AND THE END
OF 1T.

THIRD TERM TALK AND THE END
A few days ago Senator Depew
gaye out an interview declaring in
favor Of the denomination of Presi-
dent Mckinley for a third term.
Mr.. Depew Is such constitut onai
and inveterate joker that but few
people took him seriously; In fact,
tho-e who knew him best took this
like most Of his jokes ~ being one
without any point. But following
close on the heels Of The interview
came q declaration from Congress
man Grosvenor, Of Ohio, also de-
claring in favor Of third term for
Pres. Mckinley. Inasmuch As Con-
gra sman Grosvenor II known to be
very close TO the administration and
IL with all a most serious man, the
public began to consider the sugges-
! ton In serious way. This made
the President feel that it was neces-
sary to at once put quietus on The
matter. 50, after a recent cabinet
meeting, the President Issued the
following statement:
81 regret that the suggestion of a
third term has been made. / doubt
whether / am called upon to give it
notice. But there are now questions
Of the gravest importance before the
administration and lac country, and
their Just consideration should not
be prejudiced In the public mind by
even the suspicion Of the thought OF
third term. In view, therefore, OF
the reiteration of the suggestion OF
it, / will say now, once for all, ex'
pressing a long settled conviction
that not only am not and will not
be a candidate for third term, but
would not accept nomination fol
lit If 1t were rendered me.
! My only ambition is to serve
through my second term to the &C
ceptance Of my countrymen, who's
generous confidence 80 deeply ap
preciate, and then with them do my
duty in the ranks of private citizen
ship. WILLIAM MCKINLEY.
\ The President has done well t.
promptly put his foot upon such al
unwise and untimely suggestion
There has never been time in tn
history Of this country when tn
suggestion of third term would b
looked upon with more disfavo
than now. Indeed, it would Civ
point and pith to the charge tina
the administration has broken frOn
all the landmarks of the fathers an
: attempted to turn the Republic int
r an empire.
Washington and Jefferson declin
: ed the honor and responsibility of
] third term when no such charg
l could have been made. Pr. siden
: Grant presumed upon his militar
popularity and sought to break thi
e unwritten law, but the people sal
l "No."
This unWritten law seems now
be more carefully guarded by tn
people and more venerated an
y feared by the politicians than man
express prohibitions of the Constit,
ton. The difference probably
i that for President to occupy til
White House for a third term wOul
y be the ''shOwey form squirting t.
ward empire" which the poop
could easily see, while the spirit I
the Constitution might be violate
and yet no public indignation /
aroused thereby. The danger
II every Republic is that politician
II will be very careful to preserve Il
u form of a Republic, while they ma
g if they are 80 inclined, subtlely d
~ stroy its vitals.
II While third term Is not to
favored, yet, in this connection, v
feel that one serves the public al
his country best by warning the pc
. pie to pay more attention to su
, stance than to form. We mig
prohibit any person from serving
President for more than one ter
and we might limit that one term
two years, and yet the Republ
might be perverted.
n. But we have wandered from t
70 brief statement that we started O
W to make, that is that President N
q. Kinley and the country are to
w congratulated upon the promptne
a of his statement against thi
term,