Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1901-06-10

Representative Grosvenor in declaring for
A third term for President Mckinley sug-
g-sts that George Washington declined to
be "A candidate after two presidential terms
because he feared that he could not be re-
elected Washington may have felt rea-
souabIe apprehension. in spite of the assur-
auces given to him of general support. that
H.. could not again be chosen unanimously
A. M the first two presidential elections.
Hut history does not suggest that If
Washington had been willing to enter into
a struggle. he could by any possibility have
failed of election. He was sure of the
electoral votes which chose the New Eng
land Federalist, John Adams. as his sue
c~ssor together with many other electoral
votes which Adams could not secure
If his own status in history entered into
Washington's calculation among the con-
sidprations which caused the farewell ad-
dress his thought was not of possible de-
feat at the polls, but of the real defeat and
y, rsnual injury which victory as a mere
PARTISAN candidate would mean to MIN.
He was the military creator of the republic,
the father of his country. He had been its
civil leader for eight years. all men ana
all parties consenting. His work was
rounded and complete. Why should he
step down from the pedestal upon which
his countrymen had unanimously placed
him. and engage in a violent struggle to
retain as the leader of a party an office
which had become burdensome and which
was held only in obedience to the will and
in order to promote the welfare of the
whole people?
Considerations somewhat similar to those
which influenced Washington will prevent
Mckinley from thinking for an instant of
Nc
notably successful. He has won popularity
for himself and prosperity for the republic.
His task is to so round out his presidential
service as to stamp upon the historical es-
innate of William McKinley's adninistra-
ton the characteristics of ability, popu-
Iarity and national prosperity. He Is now
making his place in history, not maneuver-
ing for place in defiance of tradition on
the next presidential ticket. He was unan-
imously selected as his party's candidate
for a second presidential term. He could
not secure a unanimous vote candidate
for a third term; and in view of the effect
IF a third term nomination in a campaign
which is to turn In part upon the anti
Imperialism issue, characterized by denun-
Citations of Emperor Mckinley as the des-
potic subverter of the Constitution and of
republican principles and traditions, there
Nptilu surely ne popular OppOSillOH UOtl 10
the nomination and to the election.
1t may be assumed as certainty that
President Mckinley has aspirations in
the direction of third term and does not
cOuntenance the talk upon the subject. He
is perfecting his record in history as one
of the most capable, popular and success
full of Presidents. during whose administra-
tion the Spanish war was fought and won
West Indian and Asiatic territorial expan-
sion safely accomplished. foreign trade
wonderfully developed, sound money sus-
tanned in two fierce campaigns; an admin
istrajion whose characteristic watchwords
have been prosperity at home and prestig
abroad.
There ne-er was a President of greater
political shrewdness and more consum-
mate tact than William Mckinley. He Is
the last man in the country To leave the
proud and unassailable position which he
has Won and now occupies to chase through
the political bog the third-term will-o'-t the
wiSp-