Omaha daily bee., 1912-04-01

But his own refusal Is not the only In
hibition on the nomination OF Mr.. Roose-
welt for another term. What he had In
advance refused the American people
were in advance pledged not TO offer him.
The republic has never had the same man
as president for more than eight years.
and the anti-third term policy has estab-
llshed itself as a part OF our unwritten
constitution.
The proposal to nominate Mr.. Roose-
welt for another term contravenes this
wise policy. At the beginning OF the re-
public Washington and jefferson declined
a third term and established the custom.
Grant wanted a third term-a non-con-
secutive one-but even the name and
fame OF Grant were powerless when ar
rayed against the enlightened political
sentiment and sure political instinct Of
the American people.
The restriction Of the president to two
terms at most is the fundamental safe
guard Of the republic. II our democratic
Institutions are to survive, II the rule Of
the people Is not TO be supplanted by
CaesArism. the term Of the CHIEF execn-
tive must be rigidly limited either BY law
or by custom. One term OF five or six
years would probably be the best arrange
ment. But with US the practice OF q CEN
tury has sanctioned a maximum Of eight
years or two terms. II this limit Ia now
removed, II In as certain as anything In
the future can be that no other limit can
be established. This Is no guess. no base
less fancy. II IL a truth demonstrated by
human history.
This raises the question Of the place Of
radicalism In q republican platform. In
the past the party has not been radical
II II championed liberty II also enforced
justice and protected property. and every
where and always II revered the consti-
tuition. Since the civil war. with the ex-
eeption Of cieveIand's administration. the
republican party has been responsible for
the government Of the country. II has
been a half century of orderly progress.
Of expanding liberty regulated by law. Of
natural constitutional development with
jealous regard to states rights and watch
full maintenance Of the Independence and
efficiency, each within Its own ordained
sphere, Of the executive. the legislative
and the judicial departments Of the fed
eral government. There has been q pro-
teciiye tariff Intended to encourage busi-
ness and safeguard the interests Of the
wage earners. the manufacturers and the
farmers. The country has prospered be-
You'd any other in the world. Since trusts
have appeared laws have been enacted
and enforced to protect consumers against
monopoly and business rivals against IN
fair competition. The tariff. which has
from time TO time been revised. still needs
to be better adapted TO existing economic
conditions. And the antitrust Law should
be supplemented By further legislation
providing for the federal incorporation Of
large concerns doing an interstate bush
ness and determining more definitely the
criteria Of Illegal practices. 80 that husi-
ness men may know as clearly as possible
Just where they stand
The issue. then. Is very simple Shall
the Chicago convention In its platform re-
nounce progressive republlcahlsm and de-
clare its adhesion TO radicalism7 IL 20.
President Taft would not be the proper
candidate. And It Is altogether improe-