Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1912-04-28
Safeguard Against Permanence in
Authority 0vereomes ALI.
NEVER TRIED TO STRAIN POWER
No Inordinate Desire for Office Was
Arousing Confusion.
ONE OF THREE REAL PATRIOTS
Among Illustrious Americans whose
Lives Are Ended, Washington,
Lincoln and Grant Hold
Highest Place.

PITTSBURGH. April z7.-Vice President
James S. Sherman spoke in behalf OF
President Taft's campaign for renomina-
ton at the Grant day Banquet of the
American club here tonight. Mr.. Sher-
man spoke as follows:
THE Chicago convention of 1880 set
forth clearly how strongly the American
people cling to the wise traditions Of the
fathers. General Grant was content with
the popular favor accorded him and had
no further political ambition. Certain
party leaders, however, dragooned him
into allowing the use of his. name as a
candidate for a third presidential term.
Seemingly he was lured into the grievous
blunder Of his life. The minority OF Soe
on the convention roll by no means In
cluded all the admirers OF the warrior
statesman. The safeguard against per-
manenee in executive authority was
deemed vital. oserrode personal regard
and esteem and forbade compliance with
individual desire. Devotion to the repub-
lican principle prevailed and the famous
hero went to defeat in the home Of his
friends.
THE opponents of a third term for
Grant never charged that he strained or
tried to add to the power of the executive.
Congress and the Judiciary suffered no
assault from him. His loyalty TO the
constitution and the laws was absolute.
too absolute ever 70 be questioned. He
did not deem himself the sole reliance
OF the republic. The spirit OF a Caesar
or a Cromwell was not within him. No
sreed for despotism led him astray. He
raised no irrexotsns hand against the
altar OF the national sanctuary. Its con.
stitution and its courts He aroused no
mad co~fusion or chaos. Inordlnate de.
sire for power did not smother An him
the high attributes OF consistency. con-
stancy and fairness. He was an architect
OF concord, not discord. He was quiet
and content. not boisterous and discor-
dant Yet. even for him. the precept and
example Of Washington could not be
spurned by the American people.
Among illustrious Americans whose
lives are ended, three shine out in the
stars OF heaven. The schoolboy and the
sage, the laborer and the prince OF
finance, with accord. name Washington,
Lincoln and Grant. The union is safe
and will endure so long as the citizens
following their footsteps and take M
spiration from their characters and
teachings
shall We for a moment or two give
thought to what all this signifies in the
affairs Of today. The danger Of any. APP
proach to permanence in executive au-
thority was emphasized by Washington.
and Jefferson repeated the warning. BY
long time custom and by almost unanl-
versal opinion of the thoughtful Of the
past. wisdom limits presidential service
TO eight years. Save only with President
Hayes, who forbade consideration of hts
name for second term, the republican
party has rendered to its presidents a
renoInfnation. The wisdom Of this act
has been demonstrated with Lincoln,
Grant and Mckinley. President Taft has
not fallen behind any predecessor in
fidelity, efficiency. constancy and force.
He has done no juggling. has practiced
no deception. has sought no personal ad-
vantage. He has enforced the laws. has
respected constitutional government. has
been the advocate Of stability. His ad-
ministration has been conspicuous for
honesty, economy and real progress. The
parallel Of his case with Lincoln and
Grant Is striking and prophetic. And as
f(.onffnuad on Saoon6 paReA