The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1907-05-16
NOT IN ACCORD
WITH OUR USAGE
Mr.. Jacob Brown Inyeighs Strongly
Against Third Term.

vent President from being elected |
than more twice. The constitution pro- |
vldes the manner of his election and the |
length of his term, years, but nothing
as to the number of terms. | am not a
believer in what is now styled unwritten |
law, but there is certainly usage or
custom in history of our government of
118 years, which has the moral force of |
a law, to preventing personsifrom being
more than twice elected President.
Eight Of our Presidents were elected
twice, none more than that. Unfortun-
ately for the fame of the great U. s.
Grant, he was persuaded to allow his
name to be used for third nomination
by his party, but he failed in the face
of his great popularity and reputation,
solely because of the usage of rule
against the third term. Washington
himself persistently refused to be a
ca ndidate third time, and there began
the timely and healthy rule against a
third Presidential term. 81 Besides all
JlIlo, Jul lColutGl upOIl Ilio ClCCllOil Ill
1904 informed the peopleI absolutely
that he would not again be a candidate.
Congress and the people accepted this
pledge. The people at large will adhere
to it, though the maker may..::wish to
withdraw it.
Our wise forefathers in framing our
grand old constitution were decidedly
opposed to long term of the presi-
| dency. 1t was fixed at four short
years, which was greatly in contrast
with the crown or executive term of
the English kings of the mother country,
whose terms was for life; in several in
stances for 60 years and over and. ten
! by descent to the nearest, of kin, wheth-
er male or female. Is it any wonder
these wise men provided for a short
term of the Presidency? The Presi-
dency is not hereditary like the English
dynasty, nor is it thing to be given,
granted or devised to a favorite, with
conditions or promises, attached to be
carried out my Policy" arrange
ment
No one is more ready than myself to
concede to President Roosevelt many
high traits of mind and character,
brightness, perceptiveness, resourceful,
fuency and readiness, but is there not a
lack of wisdom, thoughtfulness, rehec-
ton and .ripeness, in short a lack of
craftsmanship, of the true American
Republican stamp, which should be en-
tirely from any semblance of imperial
or monarchial tendency. Let our Pres
ident be just what the constitution
makes him, an executive official; to put
into effect such duty as the constitution
and laws place upon and not to invade
the Enclosures of the other departments
of our general government.
Our constitution by its articles creates
a number of seperate government de-
partments. Purity of character and
good intentions are not denied President
Roosevelt. 1t is more his methods,
manner and excuses to be complained
than his much talked of policies. Even
good policies require proper methods to
give them useful realities. The Presi-
dents many angry controversies with
individuals, corporations and associa
tons show temperament at least I'M
bee oming a chief official of great ma
ton, where the highest civility, cour-
tesy and dignity should always be in
use.
There are yet some who remember
the exploits of Andrew johnson, who
became President by great national
calamity in traversing the country, it
Grating and reiterating his wild speeches
in which my policy was the unvary
ing subject. These exhibitions were
not only disgusting. but offensive to the
people and did more in bring on his i'm
parchment than his official act and
policy. We know what became of him,
and my policy"
Whatever popularity President Roose-
welt may possess, is of special or per-
sonal kind and not of general charac-
ter, among the solid thinking people.
Those who may wish him third term
are mostly those enjoying his official
favors, and others who expect and wish
such. But it ought to be remembered,
that the 'Ins" are inferior in numbers
at least to the Outs" who constitute
the masses. The great Republican par
ty with its splendid record of national
ideas, measures and principles should
be careful and wise in making its next
nomination, such a one as the people at
large need and want.
This paper has been prepared with
out any partisan or unfriendly feelings,
towards our present chief executive,
who, willingly supported at the cleo
tions 1900 and 1904. | recognized his