The Harrison times. (Harrison, Boone Co., Ark) 1876-1938, 1904-03-12
"PREscor.r, AK. Feb. q. 1904.

HON. L. \, JoBE, Hope, Ark:
DEAR S1R-Your letter asking me
~ II endorse the present administra-
tien of Governor Davis and ~ if am
in sympathy with his candidacy for a
third term as chief executive of our
great state, has been received. Enter
tanning the views l do, it is not i'm
portant or material for me to answer
the first part of your inquiry. will,
however, say that / supported him for
second term and I believe that what
ever errors and mistakes, if any, that
have been committed since that term
began are largely, if not entirely,
traceable to his efforts to break down
| and defy the unwritten but wise law
of the Democratic party, which pro-
hibits the election of the chief exeeu-
tive of state or the general govern
ment more than twice. Whether his
| present administration has been good
or bad, he is not entitled to be elected
again, and so I will only reply to the
second part o. your inquiry. To that
most positively and emphaticafly
answer in the negative.
THE anti-tbird-term senTinieiif Or
iginated by Washington declining
third election to the presidency of the
United States, Jefferson and Jackson.
who of all the presidents were the best
representatives of pure Democracy,
approved and followed the patriotic
example and suggestion of Washing
ton, agreeing that ait was not safe to
trust any one with such power for so
long a time in country with a free
republican government, and each of
them in turn declined third term.
with one exception no president
has ever dared to ask his party to vio-
late this beneficent custom for him.
In 1880 General Grant, victor in the
greatest of modern wars after his trim
around the world with his old guard
of 'stalwarts,' marshaled under the
leadership of the imperious Conklinp.
thought he could defy and nullify Il.
He went before his party with an ap-
peal for vindication. Mr.. Conklinp.
| speaking for him said, 'Vilified and
reviled, truthlessly aspersed by num-
berless presses, not in other lands. but
his own, the assaults upon him have
strengthened and seasoned his hold I'M
on the public heart
The anti-third-term sentiment was
strong enough, even in the Republican
party, to defeat Grant, notwithstand-
ing his superb organization and the
tervid eloquence of the great New
Yorker. The country was saved from
| possible Imperialism by the result OF
this struggle. The contest, however,
brought trouble to that party and
| grief to the whole country, because of
the partisan rancor and hatred that
was enkindled by it. The brilliant
and gifted Garfield, who was nominat-
ed over The protest of Grants three
hundred and six 'stalwart' delegates,
was assassinated by Guiteau, who, as
he fired the fatal shot, exclaimed, L
am stalwart.'
mo, instead of abrogating this part
of the Democratic creed, l would if |
had the power amend it so as to pre-
vent even the nomination of a candi-
date for president or governor the
| third time. Third nominations for
offices tend TO create conceit in the
candidate and beget hero worship and
bossism among his adherents. If Mr..
| Cleveland had never received a third
nomination the Democratic party, in
my opinion, would now be in power at
least in one branch of the government
and not split into factions. If the
old guard of Mr.. Cleveland, that
three times triumphed in convention.
did not fear the anti-third-term Demo-
cratic sentiment of the South, they
would attempt to force his fourth nom
| nation. Even as it is there is much
talk of il in the East.
"If the fact that Governor Davis has
disagreed with the general assembly
and large number of the Democrats
of this state entities him to a third
term, then has not Mr.. Cleveland, by
his disagreement with a Democratic
congress and large number of the
Democrats of the United States, earn
ed the right to another nomination.
The answer of the Arkansas Demo-
Gratis TO both these gentlemen should
be no.
'Most of the Southern states make
the governor ineligible to third term,
none of them has ever elected the same
governor the third time.
THE views have expressed in this
letter have long entertained. / sun
| ported Governor Hughes for two
terms. He made a splendid governor
and gave the state an honest and eco
nomical administration, but notwith-
standing my great friendship for him
| felt it my duty to oppose him when
he asked for third term. The Demo-
Gratis of the state denied his request,
not because they loved him less, but
because they loved the party more.
That contest created so much bitter
ness in our party that we carried the
next election by the smallest msjority
since 1874.
For the honor of the state and the
good of the party, sincerely trust that
Arkansas will not be the first Scuth..
ern state to violate the time-honor