The river press. [volume] (Fort Benton, Mont.) 1880-current, 1906-08-01
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST /, 1906.
THIRD TERM TALK.

Notwithstanding the most positive
declaration made by Mr.. Roosevelt
Just after the last presidential election,
that he would not under any circum.
stances be q candidate to succeed him.
self, some of his ardent friends and
admirers are undertaking to boost him
for a third term. The president him.
self is certainly not a party to this
movement. He mas repeatedly in.
formed his close personal friends that
the announcement he made nearly two
years ago stands good today. To
recent Montana visitors who are in
Guided in the circle of his personal
friends, the president stated in the
most emphatic terms that he proposed
to quit at the end of his present term
and enjoy the freedom of private life.
But the third term talk continues.
one Of the most clever and entertain.
ing contributions on the subject being
that Of Alfred Henry Lewis, in the
Saturday Evening Post. Mr.. Lewis
says in part:
The white house is the heart Of ma.
tional concern. If ever the republic
be slain, it is there that a sinister fate
will plant the knife. Therefore the
people should jealously scan whatever
is to affect that structure in it's occu-
patton, or subtract from there domin.
ant right to name its presidential ten.
ant.
The white house il not a toy. Its
bestowaI should not be looked upon
10 the light Of q compliment. 1t must
not wait upon the interest, the prefer
ence, the modesty, the vanity, the cap.
rice or the ease Of any nan The ar.
gument Of its invention was serious
% serious as that Of the keystone of
an arch. Being called to the presi-
dency, one must come. The wishes Of
him called are not to count.
Mr.. Roosevelt il eminently adapted
to his hour and its demands. He has
no sour exclusions, no dignities that
call Tor pedestals or require to be
alone. He calls himself q republican
it Is q misnomer. He is not q re
publican. but an American, and par
tissn only in his patriotism. Long
ago be said, ~ do not number party
10y alty among the ten command.
merts.'
have said that il is not necessary
to go over in detail those house, clean.
ing moves so honorsbly chargeable to
Mr.. Roosevelt. 1t is, however, re.
quired, in conjunction with his reiter.
ated determination to step presiden.
TALLY down and out two years from
mex March, to call the public eye Ia
this-uot one OF those reforms will
have been accomplished by that time,
The house.cleaning will be but hall
complete. The middle OF the ford ii
no place to swap horses.
Mr.. Roosevelt IL the president 70,
the hour In which We live. He il
abreast Of his day--he was born ia the
present tense. His war.word is "Be
ready" He has initiative. An arts,
Of the actual. he is rs capable OF TAX
ing Is Of following q precedent. HI
listens to the people. He makes a cul>
of the ballot, knowing it for the SWORD
and shield Of freedom. He is by con
sequence without secrets. He cares
nothing for money-his hunger is fol
fame. He would sooner have a fai,
name than q fat bank account. H,
has learned to answer the question
that the public asks. More and best
his motive is noble and high.
The people made Mr.. Roosevelt,
president-they may il they will make
him president again. BY the word o
the people he came from the people
and, until the people give him leave
he cannot lay down his trust. Eve.
s~ectiOnalism demands him for its wip
ing out, and a south, seeking to forge
the old, striving to overtake the new
sees its hope in him who, coming "
since the smoke-blown years Of civi
war, takes half his blood from thos
who fought under the stars and bars
Therefore, oh people, should 70
want MIR. Roosevelt, il is yours {
have him, with one to cOusult 9
consider save yourselves. Also
this be sure-it is q matter wherein h
has 90 voice. Whether he shall serv
Another term or no is for the publ,
not him, to determine. In truth. b
10 not entitled to 50 much as q seat i
the gallery while the business is beiu
discussed. The public, adopting
lesser doctrine, will not only thro
awav ite nrivilepe. hut nrOva falso ,