Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-12-01
MI. Cleveland's Letter.

The Star on Saturday expressed the opin-
ion that Mr.. Cleveland's letter on the Sub
ject of his partys next presidential noml-
nation was not as direct as it might have
been. 1t pointed out that the deliverance
contained no reference to the third term
question-which is the leading question dis
cussed in connection with the Cleveland
boom-and that there was nothing in II at
all which would initiate against Mr.. Cleve-
lands candidacy in case his party. setting
aside his letter, should nominate him next
year for the fourth time. The suggestion
was made that a "Jeffersonian directness'
on the subject would have improved the
document.
The Philadelphia Ledger takes the other
view of the matter. 1t accepts the letter as
final. and, with many compliments to Mr..
Cleveland. declares that 1t fully covers the
case 1--WE doubt says the Ledger. with
gentle irony, that Thomas Jefferson or
The Star itself, could formulate a declara-
ton more explicit, more decisive"
The Star need not try. 1t need not even
go back to Jefferson for sample. Observe
how William Mckinley disposed of the
matter only little over two years ago. He
had been reelected President by an over
whelming majority. and had come to- be
so powerful personality that some people.
with or without subsidiary purposes
were already booming him for third
term. On June 10, 1901, they got this very
direct reply:
Il regret that the suggestion of a third
term has been made. l doubt whether l
am called upon to give it notice. But there
are now questions of the grayeSt impor-
lance before the administration and the
country, and their just consideration should
not be prejudiced in the public mind by
even the suspicion of the thought of a third
term. In view therefore of the reiteration
of the suggestion of it. j will say now,
once for all. expressing d long-Settied con-
viction. that | not only am not and Will not
be candidate for third term, but would
not accept nomination for 1t if it were
rendered me.
MY only ambition Is to serve through
my second term to the acceptance of my
countrymen. whose generous confidence /
so deeply appreciate, and then. with them,
do my duty in the ranks of private citizen
ship"
That is the way to put an end to third
term talk But probably we shall be told
that the cases are not similar; that Mr..
Cleveland would be returning to power
after service in the ranks of eight years.
OF course. But upon the proposition that
in twenty years the democratic party has
developed but one man worthy of the conf
dence of the country in the office of Chief
Magistrate! If that is not the dreaded one
man condition so far as that party is con-
cerned what is it?
The New York World, and not the Brook
Ign Eagle, was the original Cleveland
boomer. and on Sunday morning, in a long
editorial on the subject of Mr.. Cleveland s
letter it said:
I'VE fully believe that a demand for Mr..
Cleveland's candidacy may Yet come with
Spontaneity and power that he will
find it impossible to resist. If the
democratic party and the independent
voters need and want and call Mr.. Cleve-
land in these circumstances and in this
way. it would not be in human nature and
patriotic heart to decline the summons.
The World knows it's hero It's head is
very level. Mr.. Cleveland's thurman ma
ture' and patriotic heart are old cam
paigners. and readily recognize, and never
decline. call to arms