The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-06-24
THE DEPEw-GROsvENOR INCIDENT.

Senator Depew has followed the example
of Representative Grosvenor in giving out.
let us hope. his last word on the third-term
question. Although both of them attempt
TO treat the matter in a semi jocular man
ner. each trying in his own way to parry
the rebuke administered by the President
il is evident they both feel chagrined by
the outcome OF the incident. as they ought
to. Both of them. though from different
motives. undertook TO speak for the Amer
lean people a matter of grave impor-
lance and TO forestall popular action by,
they thought making up the record in
advance Senator Depew was a victim
of his chronic habit of talking too much-a
habit which is pretty sure to get its pos
eral Grosvenor thought, as the reputed
spokesman of the President and one who
had accidentally achieved some reputation
as a political prophet. he must hasten 10
divide honors with the New York senator
in a suggestion which, If it were realized,
would make them both celebrated as
original third-term men, and If it came TO
nothing would be forgotten and do no harm.
Neither of them anticipated the Presidents
fiat-footed declination. which covered both
with confusion and put them on their de-
Tense before the country. Their explana-
tons do not help matters any as far as the
real gravamen of their offense is concerned
namely. assuming to speak for the Presi-
dent and for the Republican party without
authority and a; an inopportune time. SEN
ator Depew apparently cannot understand
why his motion received no second except
from General GrOsvenor, and he affects 10
think the time may come when public SEN
timent on the question Will change. In his
letter just published he says:
1t is the most serious charge vet made
against the intelligence OF the American
electors and their capacity for self-govern-
ment 10 treat, as many have. the third term
as II 1T might prove temptation, and. if re-
ceived with popular favor. would at
once, voluntarily and with reckless hilarity
sacrifice our liberties and our institutions.
When the time comes. il may, that
In a great crisis an Abraham Lincoln, after
eisht years OF the presidency. will, in the
judgment OF the people OF this country, best
serve the highest interests OF the Republic
by another tour years. he Will receive such
a call as no patriot can resist.
This is the Depew point of view. From
another point OF view ii loks as il the real
imputation against the intelligence OF
American electors was in attempting to
forestall their decision long before the
time for action and before the record on
(which they were TO act was made up. Be-
cause the country declined to consider
seriously i'm 1901 proposition to renomi-
nate President for a third term in 1901
il does not follow that the American people
are incapable of self-government 1t may
be true. Senator Dcpew says that the
time may come when in a great crisis the
people may insist that some second Abra-
ham Lincoln shall stand for third term,
but in that case the initiative must come
! from the people. and not from some after
dinner orator who is overload of the sound
| OF his voice. or some politician who
| thinks himself possessed OF the gift of
prophecy. The people gladly elected Mr..
Lincoln for a second term. but IL he had
lived and II some superserviceabie friend In