Arizona republican., 1901-06-16

il or electing third term president was discussed lad libitum" by the press of the United States, and not infrequently by the press of Europe.
 After the return of General Grant from his tour around the world, and his prospective candidacy for third nomination began to materialize the third term question became an absorb ing subject The democratic writers and speakers, and some republican edi- tors and orators. discouraged and as- sailed the very idea of third term under any circumstances. They con tended that such an innovation was opposed to all the best interests of the country and violative of the most sacred traditions of political policy. They held with great display of pow erful diction and plausible argument that Washington having declined a third term an inviolable precedent had been established by the father of his country. That any attempt to ignore this precedent would be destructive of time-honored doctrine. which no de- mands of expediency should be permit ted to overturn.
 So vehement and persistent were these contentious that a strong tempo rary sentiment was built up and estab- lished which aroused the most acrimo- nious feelings. This opposition to a third term condemned and anathema- tized the third term proposition as lit- tle short of treason. This view was entertained by a great many sincere and honest republicans as well as dem ocrats. By others 1t was promulgated in the interest of partisanshlp. Still others utilized 1t to destroy the aspi- rations of General Grant and his friends. This latter class was com posed of a number of prominent repub- licans.
 Every spacious pretext was used to cajole the unrefecting citizen into a mortal dread of violated precedent, The coming man on horseback" who had aroused the fears of the nation in Jackson's time. was again in imagina- ton seen prancing about on his in- vincible charger. The cry of Ceasarism resounded throughout the land. The reckless prodigality with which these tlite expressions were constantly pre- sented before the people awakened perfect frenzy of excitement. To these desperate efforts of mistaken zeal was
 
 term mainly attributable.
 With moral oblquity of vision, characteristic of that organization, and brazen assumption unsurpassed, the democratic party immediately after ward made three desperate efforts to elect Mir. Cleveland three times to the presidential chair. While 1t Is true that Mir Cleveland's several candl- dacies were not successive, the prin- ciple involved, if there is any principle. obtains in every case where third term is solicited. whether continuous or not.
 The idea sought to be established and insisted upon by the speakers and writers of that memorable epoch was utterly at variance with true demo- cratic doctrine. And yet 1t was stren- uously contended that the bestowal of a third term of the presidential office upon any man was in violation of true American policy and subversive of American principles. It was likewise contended that should this sacred prec- edent ever be violated the beginning of the decline and fall of the American republic would then and there be in- augurated.
 Let us briefly examine this question. First, is there any warrant or authority in law for this doctrine? We have been unable to find any. It is not con tended that there is any constitutional inhibition which confronts the third term advocates. We are therefore re- ferred to a custom or precedent which has been generally appealed to in sup port of this opposition ever since Washingtons time. This, therefore, is the only authority. if such it can be denominated which seems to have aroused so much feeling. Washington declined a third nomination from per sonal motives. and. not from fear of inaugurating dangerous example. He had served his country faithfully and well, both in peace and war. He was very. wealthy and had large and valuable landed estates which required his constant attention. He had passed i the meridian of life, when one feels the need of rest and retirement from the active trammels of political activity. Having served his country with such ability he doubtless felt that he could well afford to withdraw to the shades of private life without any fear of his motives being fmpugned. Besides. he  was married to a lovely woman, in whose eongenial society he desired to enjoy the sweets of domestic bliss as a reward for his well earned and phe- nomenal success. The young republic was just starting out on it's grand career. Peace smiled behignly upon the nation. and long era of prosperity was assured. A bright vista seemed opening for an era of brilliant achieve , ments. ,
 There were many distinguished com patriots of Washington who were con- temporaneous in all the grand events which had so glorified that period. Men who had shared with him the dangers and trlbulations of memorable con flict, were entitled to their fAare in the fruits of victory. Washing ton doubtless felt that the destiny of the country would be as safe in their hands as in his own. He doubtless recognized the fact that these men were growing old, and that prompt action was required to secure their h. valuable services for the country; that thus would they be able to bring to the discharge of their responsible duties q