New-York tribune., 1912-02-07
AGAINST A THIRD TERM
Representative Mccall Reviews
UtteranCeS of Presidents.
SEES PERIL IN AGITATION
His Speech Applauded by Repuo-
licans and Democrats-Mr'
Roosevelt Praised.
lFrom The Tribune Bureau J

Washington, Feb. 6.-In an illuminating
roviow Of the utrerances of various PreSi-
dents from the time of Washington uhu'
the present day in opposition to d thlro
term. Represcntative Mccall. Of Ma7achu-
sotts. delivered a speech in the House o.
day in which he pointed out the danger o.
thrd-tcrm agitation, and the safety III '"I
prccedcnd set by Washington
For century and quarter the OouI'u
prcscribcd by Washington has oeeh Sc
vcrcly respected" said MI Mccall No
man has served in the Presidency more
than two terms. In only a single instance
did any one permit himself to he cahul,
date for third term. and he WAS uel'"teu
i'm the convention Of me party OF "hIch
nc had been the idol.
The Massachusetts, member reierIeu 70
splendid record OF President Roosevelt anu
quoted from his announcements III "hiC'
he said under no circumstances VIII D.
a candidate for or accept another homlhd-
ton
There is no Cquivocation there, SAID
MIR. Mccall "Thc rotation of which WASH
ington spoke to Madison did not mean to
leave room for passing the office on 10 Il
favortc. to he passed back again
Mr.. Mccall received earnest aucnuol l
from both sides Of the chamber and was
often enthusiastically applaudcd by Demo-
Gratis and Republicans alike. When he had
concluded Representative Victor Murdoch.
the Kansas insurgent, walked over to 5N-
tend his hand.
"A great speech, Mccall" said tho au-
burn-haired Roosevelt supporter, but
don't agree with you
Ridiculing those emotional spirits VINO,
from the time of Washington, have cried
that the country would come 10 destruction
unless some man were elected to the Pres-
dency for the third time, Mr.. Mccall said:
One who has served eight years as Presi-
dent and who has 10 ambition OF MS own
TO serve acquires an authority WmCh
makes him an asset Of priceless value 10
his country. In times of distress and dan
ger his advice would be a powerful force
10 keep her upon the right path. But II
he should act under the influence of am
bition and aspire 10 the Presidency, ne
would be converted from an asset INTO d
grave liability. The fau',s Of President
soon disappear, and are forgotten by the
people after he has retired from office ON
the other hand, the cares OF the successor
lie thick upon him during his first years OF
office. when he is involved in the struggles
over patronage and before he has estab-
lished himself with the TeOple. II the re,
tring President, who has hOnorably served
for two terms may aspire 10 thlrd, MS
great reputation may serve as the rallyInS
point for the Disconnected and as the cen
tire for intrigue against his successor IN
stead of being a force for Good government
he would be a force for bad government
and a source Of danger 10 the country.
From the time Of Washington TO this day
there have been found emotional spirits,
fearful that destruction would come 10 the
country or its Institutions unless some man
were elected 70 the Presidency for a third
term. And yet, although 10 President has
served more than two terms. the Republic
has moved steadily forward. The nation
has no poverty I'm men. 1t possesses hun
dreds of citizens capable Of performing
with high honor the duties OF the Presi-
dency. And il will always be infinitely
safer to dip into the great mass Of Ameri-
can citizenship in order tC secure a head
for the state than to 30 violence to the uni
form precedents of our history and to re-
move the hallowed landmark of republican
institutions established by George Wash
ingtoH and sacredly cherished by the nation
down TO this hour.