The Montgomery advertiser., 1907-05-12
Red Hot Anti-Third Term Talk. By Jamestown N. Y. Post.

The historical argument against third term is found in a series of ex- tracts which show how the proposition was regarded by Washington, Jeffer- son. and Mckinley, by Grant until he was urged into contest against his better Judgment, and by Theodore roosevelt, whose wise utterance made in the hour of his greatest triumph should be regarded as conclusive con- cerning his own intentions.
 II is perhaps too much to expect consideration of historical precedents by a generation that has read into the American Constitution provisions the fathers never placed there, and which Is inclined to cast aside even the Dec iaration of Independence as an out worn garment But the example set by Washington and considered as a binding precedent by Jefferson and a long line of successors is nevertheless worthy of discussion. The most sur prising fact of the present loose talk about a third term is the case with which its advocates affect to ignore the lessons of history and experience. If there was danger in a third term a century ago, there Is no less danger now, when the powers of the presiden- tial office have been magnified beyond the dreams of our Revolutionary ans cestors. Wise precedents ought not to be broken down to meet temporary conditions created by the assumed nec- essity for the reelection of a popular president, whose services to his coun- try are worthy of grateful remem- brance, but certainly cannot be placed above those of Washington, Jefferson and Grant. The beneficent policies of most of our presidents have survived their administrations Presidents come and go, but principles and policies en- dure.
 Nor is the argument that a re-elec- ton of President Roosevelt would not give him a real third term entitled to any weight, in view of the fact that he. as vice president. assumed the du- ties of the presidential office but six months after the beginning of Mir Mo- Kinley's second term. The people will regard the substance and not the form This claim Is on a par with the argu- ment of Senator Conkling in the Utica convention of 1880. when he declared that although the law of this state made sheriffs ineligible for reelection he had never heard any objection to again electing a sheriff after he had been out of office term. This argu- ment was invented to justify third term for General Grant under the con- dition then existing.
 As a matter of fact, President Diaz of Mexico, did retire from office for a term until he could secure the amend ment of the Mexican constitution and begin the autocratic rule which under the authority of merely formal re- elections. has now lasted twenty three years The United States is not Mexi- co, and Roosevelt Is not Diaz, but who shall say that the violation of a saiu. tary and unwritten law of our govern ment would not in the distant future afford dangerous precedentr
 The Republican party is committed beyond question to the wise policies for which Theodore Roosevelt stands No candidate who favors any back ward step could be nominated or elec- ted. There is no lack of worthy men from whom to make selection. If the onthusia stic admirers of tha president insist on bringing the third term issue on the front. as some of them are doing Tn the face of his own words they must not murmur or com nlain if the Republican party and the American people turning aside from their hero worship. assert again the verdict of history and declare that even Theodore Roosevelt's career shnli not be crowned with an honor which Washington and Jefferson declined and which was denied to the greatest of our military heroes.-Ulyses s, Grant"