The Blackfoot optimist. [volume] (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1907-1918, 1912-04-25
General Custom of
the Republican Party

OOAV1 Oh NUCeO4u VI
the Republican Party
In accordance with. the general GUS
tom Of the Republican party, to say
nothing Of the special ground Of
meritorious administration, President
Taft Is entitled to denomination for
second term. There are, however.
some Republicans who oppose this just
and natural consummation and who are
endeavoring to prevent it by bringing
a bout for third term the nomination
Of exPresident Roosevelt.
To this startling alternative there
are objections Of the greatest weight.
The people today are frankly discuss
ing them and the Republican conven-
ton to assemble in Chicago will be
compelled to consider and .appraise
them. 1t is Of the utmost consequence
not only to the party, but also to the
nation that a right decision should be
reached.
The education of public opinion in
the meanwhile is the one sure way of
bringing about that result. It is a
time for every citizen, and particular
ly for every member of the Republican
party, to say what he thinks. We
want the full light Of public opinion
at its maximum intensity Of illumnia-
ton. The ostrich policy would te ia
tai AS Bishop Butler used to say.
things are what they are and the con-
sequences will be what they will be;
why then Should we wish to deceive
ourselves?
Things are what they are On the
9th. Of November, 1904. President
Roosevelt under memorable circum-
stances. solemnly made this announce
ment to the American people and to
the world:
Under no circumstances will be a
candidate for or accept another ncmi-
nation"
On the 26th Of February, 1912, ex-
President Roosevelt said:
II will accept the anomination for
President if it is rendered to me-
The latter statement is in absolute
contradiction with the former. But
apologista have arisen who tell us that
President Roosevelt's pledge refers on
ly to consecutive third term, and that
when a man declines a third cup of
coffee he is still free to take it to-
morrow or the day after. But the
main point is concealed under this
wretched sophistry and juggling with
words. Millions Of men who refuse to
drink more than two cups Of coffee to-
day take another cup on subsequent
day. And decline third cup of coffee
this evening docs not even suggest to
anybody that you will not take it. to.
morrow or the day after. No one is
deceived by your refusal. Indeed, it
concerns nobody but himself. It il dit-
ferent with the Presidency. That con-
Germs 100.000.000 people. And as no
mortal has ever been President of the
United States for a third term, the
man who on his election for q second
term voluntarily and solemnly proclaim
ed that under mo circumstances
would he accept another nomination. >
morally estopped himself. in the under
standing and expectation Of all man.
kind, from ever consenting to break
the third-term tradition. And the peo-
pies belief in President Roosevelt
self elimination from future Presidential
candidates. gave him tremendous lev
erage during his second term, mater
tally helped him to control the Repub-
lican national convention of 1908.
and brought him universal praise
(Which Senator Lodge. the presiding
officer. eloquently voiced to that con-
ventionD for his unselfish patriotism
in following in the footsteps of wash
ington and Jefferson.
But his own refusal is not the only
inhibition on nominating Mr.. Roose-
welt for another term. What he had
IN advance refused, the American peo-
pie were in advance pledged not to Of
fer him. The republic has never had
the same man as President for more
than eight years, and the anti-third-
term policy has established itself a.
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
republic Washington and Jefferson de-
clined a third term and established the
castom. Grant wanted = third term
IA non-consecutiva one-but even the
name and fame Of Grant were power
less. when arrayed against the enliyht-
ened political sentiment and sure polit.
ical instinct of the American people.
The restriction of the President to
two terms at most is the fundamental
safeguard of the republic. II our dem
ocratic institutions are to survive, II
the rule Of the people is not to be sup