The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1903-05-07
THURSDAY. MAY Z, 1905.
THE PEOPLE CAN SMASH PRE-
CEDENTS.

CEDENTS.
The Philadelphia Record says that
while the friends OF Mr.. Cleveland can
g rot but be grati1ied in witnessing the
strong manifestations of regard for him,
they also understand too well that the
traditional policy of limiting the Presi-
dency to two terms cannot DO broken by
any man.
or course, 1t cannot be broken by any
man, but 1t can be broken by the people
LOT the United States. and II they mako
up their minds to elect Mr.. Cleveland to
another term In tho White House they
will not let a sentimental precedent stand
In their way. II Mr.. Cleveland had been
President during the past eight years and
should aspire to another term, making
three consecutive terms, there might be
something In the objection noted by the
Philadelphia paper, but as the case
stands to-day he is before the American
pcople as though he had never been Pres
ldont. After serving out his last term
Shos was retired to private life, and has
gone along the even tenor Of his way,
never forcing himself upon the public no
lice, and never giving hint that he was
d DESTROYS OF re. entering public life. We
have great respect for the traditions. but
If the people want Mr.. Cleveland to serve
them again, 1t is nonsense to say that n
purely sentimental objection will stand in
the way.
This point is admirably brought out by
n correspondent Of The Times Dispatch.
who is too modest to give his name. but
who is one Of the most distinguished
students of public questions in the State.
Ills communication follows:
Editor of The Times-Dspatch:
'sir-I am delighted that DR.. Nickel
way, OF the Brooklyn Eagle, has nomi-
mated Mr.. Cleveland for President and ]
l venture to guess that many thousands
over the country are seconding the nom
lnution heartily.
"As to the third term argument,1 have
these things to say--all Of them. 1t seems
to me, very sensible. even If do say 1t:
a No one has authority 10 say that
sEno man can be elected PRESIDENT three
times in this Republic. That remains to
be seem
~. Washngtons example need not
bind US to act against our own best in
!erests for these good reasons
"a. When Washington declined third
e term, he was ueCIHlHS 10 HttNesElNe give
FEARS of continuous service as President.
Mr. Cleveland has not had eight years
ST continuous service. and was not even
followed either time by President of his
,Wn party.
~ Washington was President OF n
country that had just broken loose from
a:onarchical traditions, and for that Tea-
son third consecutive term might have
Pcer n serious thing In new ship Of
state that had not yet found herself.
I;nt now the experiment has been long
tried and do not suppose anybody fears
a,;r return To monarchy.
&c. If Washngton's counsels, as con-
tained In his farewell address, were not
binding-and the Republic cast them aside
when it went into the Philippine conquest
...his example in declining third term
need not bind us either"
In the present state OF public sentiment
we do not believe that 1t would be posi-
BILE to nominate Mr.. Cleveland, but there
Is undoubtedly n turn of the tide in his
favor. Several influential newspapers
have already come out boldly for him.
Among these We make special mention Of
tho Petersburg lndex-Appeal which Is
nothing of n hero worshipper and which
never let's It's sentiment get the better Of
its Judgment. The Index-Appeal makes
bold Its championship of Mr.. Cleveland
candidacy on the ground that he Is the
one man In this country who can lead
the Democracy to victory next year We
IRE not so sanguina as Is our Petersburg
contemporary. but we feel entirely sure
{, that Mr.. Cleveland can be elected II the
Democrats will nominate him upon such
IL platform as would be acceptable tc
him. and then give him their undivided
support. We believe that tho Democrats
would be able of themselves to cleo
Cleveland. but IN addition TO their owl
yctes they could surely count upon
large independent vote and could coun
,pon the support Of influential bushes
men at the North and in all parts of tn
country who since 1856 have been'actin
Nth the Republicans. These men hay
Implicit faith In Cleveland and they ar
afraid of Roosevelt. who Is given TO hys
leries and hero!cs.
The Democratic opportunity Is to b
found In Grover Cleveland; whether o
not the party viii embrace the opportu