The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1907-12-31
The Third Term in history.


To meet the easy payment.
Chicago Daily News.
The Third Term in History.
Representative Serene Payne of
New York, who usually speaks en-
phatcally after the event, thinks that
mad the civil war continued far into
the second term of Abraham Lincoln
the people of the north would have in
sisted that he remain at the helm of
the ship of state for a third term and
that the tradition of George Washing
ton would thereby have been broken.
Persons who recall Lincoln's position
in the critical summer of 1854 may
have doubts as to his popularity's sur
Vlving a prolongatfon of the war. but,
nevertheless. Mr.. Payne presents
superstition worth thinking about
when we are specializing on the pos
sibility of president being elected
three times in succession.
Historically, it may be said that
Washfngton's precedent has not al
ways been received unanimously as
binding obligation on the American
people. Within less than fifteen years
or his death movement to give
popular president who had served
two terms third one acquired sufH-
cient proportions to compel Jefferson
to define his position for a second
time. In the gloomiest days of
Madison's administration the thoughts
OF many men turned toward Jefferson,
as still popular. and as one who would
lift the fortunes of his party. which
then seemed waning.
Jefferson's correspondence shows
that while he put aside the proffered
honor, his manner did not express
indignation. He apparently was not
grieved. He regarded the suggestion
as unjust to Madison, as politically
inexpedient, but he seems neverthe-
less to have stood in no governing awe
of Washington's precedent.
JEFFERSON occupied peculiar posi-
ton, one which has hardly a parallel
in our history. The Sage of Month
cello was such an adviser of presi-
dents that he may be considered al
most the power behind the throne"
Constantly questions were referred to
him from the White House. and we
know now from his papers that Mon
roe solicited his advice and judgment
on the famous doctrine" itself. A
man satisfied with the substance, JEFF
ferson was disinclined philos ophically
to reach after the trappings of power,
and Monticello was a seat of authority
all the more agreeable from the alb
sence of it's public responsibilities.
The most dramatic appearance of
the third term idea In our history Is.
of course, the movement to give Gen
eral Grant this exceptional honor after
his return from his famous tour
around the world. Five years before
talk" to induce the Democratic house
Of representatives to pass a resolu-
ton denouncing any departure from
the Washington precedent, a declara-
ion in which some distinguished Re-
publicans still living concurred. But
n 1880 this resolution was simply SO
much paper and ink to the third term
boomers. General Grant was an
avowed candidate. He was eager for
rehabilitation he had among his
advocates some of the most resource
'ul of the Republican leaders.
In the early winter and spring of |
1880, conservative adherents of 1.-The |
precedent" had to fight |
hard for delegates even in some New !
England districts. The convention |
assembled with the certainty that at |
east 800 of its members would do |
heir utmost to secure the nomination |
or the silent soldier; and Conkling's
.loquence was admired even by those |
Who repudiated his sentiments. Gar
ield's nomination came as relief to |
he conservative sentiment of the T
but even then the third term
eminent was a factor of disQuiet, as
nybody will admit who remembers
low anxiously Republicans watched
he tents in which Grant and Conkling
ulked for a time, before they came
orth to announce their acceptance of
he situation.
Since then we have had no third
ERIN movement which a word of re-
udiation from the White House could
ot extingiush; nor one which even
the proportions of that
or which 1.-THE 500" stood, and fell.
he American people are conserva-
i've, in their traditions, to an extent
hat resents anything smacking of
orth putting effort to perpetuate an
dministration.-Bosto Transcript. Z.