Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1912-05-14
LIMIT PRESIDENTIAL TERMS.

For more than a hundred years the
precedent set by George Washington
and ratified by Thomas jefferson suf-
feed to hold in check individual am
billions for continuous and indefinite
occupancy Of the Presidential chair as
we'll as the tendency to hero wor-
ship on the part of certain classes
Of the American people, says the
Norfolk Pilot. During most of that
period the bare suggestion Of viola
tion Of the traditional principle that
no person should hold the executive
reins of the government for more than
two terms, would have aroused the
bitter opposition of the controlling ell
ements of all political parties. Even
at times when sectional passions or in
terests have overridden actual limlta-
tons prescribed by the Constitution
upon the executive Office, this unwrit-
ten law has continued to be respected
as binding. Only once up to now has
serious attempt been made to Ques-
ton it's sanctity; and that was rebuked
with emphasis by the republican party
although the proposed beneficiary of
The infringement had been lately
crowned as popular idol by the DOM
inant sections of the country because
of the military services which pre-
vented physical ACKNOWLEDGMENT of the
Union. The defeat which overlook the
movement to give Grant third term
in the White House was so emphatic
as to engcnder in conservative minds
hope bordering on conviction that
the experiment would never again be
repeated and that, therefore, no neccs-
sity would arise for emobdying in the
organic instrument clause definite
ly restricting the tenure Of the Chief
Magistracy to specific term or num-
Der of terms.
Recent events, however, have dem
onstrated that such hope was improvi-
IDENTIFY entertained. Mr.. Rooscvelt's
bold bid for third term furnishes oc-
casion for seriousl y considering the
wisdom of embodying in the funda-
mental law such a clause as that now
before Congress at the instance Of
Representative Clayton, as follows:
"The executive power shall be vest
ed in President of the United States
Of America. He shall hold his office
during the term of six years and shall
6e ineligible to d second term"
While Mr.. Roosevelt's candidacy
furnishes the direct occasion for Of
fering the amendment proposed, we
would, in discussing it, treat the sub
ject as though the attempt to break
the timc-honored precedent were un-
lertaken by a public man with whose
political antccedents we had as much
sympathy. as we have hostility TO
those of third term candidate.
Let it be assumed, though he has
declared otherwise, that Mr.. RooSc-
velt's occupancy OF the Office did not
constitute two full terms, still it is
TACT that in his canvass, both by him
self and his leading supporters, the
objections to third term arc treated
as of no Importance, or, if admitted
to be entitled to any consideration.
they arc avoided by the plea that
they have force only when applied
TO three consecutive terms. Also, 1t
should be understood on the thrcsh-
Did of argument that this amend
mcnt could not possibly be adopted 10y
he States in time to affect Mr.. Roosc-
,elt's eligibility, if he should be chosen
~ the Electoral College as President
raft's successor. So far as he is con-
,crncd, the question is: Should he be
eft free TO seek fourth or fifth cleo
ion? For the precedent once dcllb-
,ratcly set aside as to third term, no
obstacle would remain even in senti-
mental prescription of d fourth or
fifth or 10 such indefinite rcgnancy,
through the abuse of power and pat
ronagc, as in the case of Diaz, as could
only be terminated by armed rcvoiu-
ton.
1t may be said that in the contin-
gency that RooScvclts contempt OF
the unwrittcn law against a third
.crm should be endorsed by the pco-
dc, by their again placing him in the
Chief Magistracy, the sOvcreigns Will
nave so given expression to desire
hat no limitation should be put upon
their freedom of selection even though
he exercise of such freedom should
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