Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1907-03-06

pany of men whose word is import
ant in such a matter would precipi-
tate the general agitation and so lead
to reconsideration by Roosevelt.
His friends and his enemies agree
that the common people of all parties
want him to remain where he is
The form of question accounts for
the wording of many of the replies.
The men We're asked as to their at
titude on a third term for any Presi-
dent, firstly, and third term for
Roosevelt secondly.
One Democratic senator who bit
terly assails Roosevelt in public life
wrote a confidential letter praising
the President. both as an individual
and an officer, and ending with the
hope that he might be renominated
and elected as truly patriotic presi-
dent.
There were some oddities that
cropped out. such as Richard Mans
fields declaration for a constitution
al monarchy, Russell Gardner's slo-
gan of supremacy OF the whites and
Charles A. Towne's prophecy that
Roosevelt vii lbe renominated and
elected.
There was also developed a strong
expression of opinion in favor of an
amendment to the constitution maxi
ing the term six years instead ot
four. The replies follow;
Illinois and West Virginia.
Illinois, has been heart-set on
Roosevelt and have no idea but
what he will be compelled to play
the part of the wisest man and bend
to his country's wishes.
(Signed) IS. NJ. CULLOM,
Senator from Illinois,"
Political arrangements do not
seem to enter into the minds of the
people of West Virginia on the mat
ter of the candidacy of President
Roosevelt for another term. They
are determined he shall be the can
didate.
(Signed) "S. B. ELKINS,
Senator from West Virginia"
Opposition to third term for
any President is among the first and
the strongest OF the political con-
victlons l entertain. The reasons
for opposing a third term have been
so often and forcefully presented
that need not reiterate any of them.
| do not believe that Presidents
should have third terms thrust upon
them. Belonging, as 4 do, to an
other political party than that of
Roosevelt. freely bear testimony to
his sincerity of purpose, when, on
the morning after the last presi-
Dental election, he formally an
nounced to the American people that
he would not, under any circum-
stances, be a candidate for the presi-
dency again. II the President had
given any other reason than the one
he did for his determination should
he accept another term for the presi-
dency, were It rendered him. he
might with proprlety say he yielded
10 influences that were convincing
and that justified him in recalling |
his pledge, but he based his deter
mination upon great principle the
one established by Washington Jet-
ferson and other Presidents, for the |
reason that a third and additional
Term to any President might be po-
.entlal In transforming our govern
nent from a republic 10 a monarchy
regard all the talk OF inducing the
President to stand for a third term
as idle, for the President cannot
Yield TO IL, however great the pres
,ure might be, without appearing
before the American public as de-
iberately violating that principle
essential TO the perpetuity OF re-
publican form of government.
Posses Kingly Power.
Already the President OF the
United states is in the possession oi
1ingly power. II is the Limitation oi
ais term OF ONCE by unwritten la"
hat saves the name Of IL and the
act OF il. Extinguish this Limitation
md no constitutional monarch on
,arth possesses any such sovereignty
rhe election OF Theodore Roosevelt
n 1905 would proclaim to the world
he failure OF Republican institutions
n America and would be SO accept
d. That would as surely Mexican
20 our system of government as iree
liver at the ratio OF ls 10 would
ave MexicaniEed our money system