The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-06-06
"WoN'T" MEANS WILL"
Give a Man One Term In ONCE and
lie Is Sure 10 Want Another.

To EDITOR OF THE SUN-Sir. The
headline in THE Sun of June 2 over the
letter by Mr.. Frank Warren Hackett
reads: ut Is suggested that Mr.. Wilson
should now decline a second term" But
how can one decline VIA isn't offered?
As yet not even a denomination has been
,nered. No doubt 1t will be, and no
doubt Mr.. Wilson will then find that
there is quite a difference between a
denomination and q reelection.
What Mr.. Hackett suggested was that
Mr.. Wilson should announce in terms
that will admit of no doubt whatever"
that he will not consent to be a candi-
date for denomination" That Is an en-
tirely different thing but Mr.. Hackett
ought to know that the American people
have been deceived so many times by
Presidents and Presidential candidates
and other public men that there are no
words in the English language strong
enough or that can be uttered with sufii-
cient frequency or %solennity to leave
mo doubt whatever"
In 1884. when he was a candidate for
the Presidency. Mr.. Cleveland laid down
some strong arguments against a second
term. But he ran again In 1883 and
vas elected again In 1892.
In 1900 Governor Roosevelt on his
way TO the national Republican conven-
ton said that under no circumstance
would he run for Vice-President. But
he did run.
on the death of President Mckinley
he succeeded to the Presidency. In
1904 he was elected. While the returns
were still coming into the White House
he made a solemn announcement to the
American people, declaring that under
no circumstance would he run again.
But he did run again.
\ year ago Governor Glynn announced
through the columns of THE EvESISG
U that he would not run again. But
he did.
In 1912 the Democratic national con
vcntion adopted a resolution against a
second term and in favor Of n consti-
tutional amendment prohibiting II. The
Democrats secured complete control of
the Federal Government and then forgot
all about their promise.
Though his party declared against n
second term President Wilson wants TO
be reelected. The inconsistency Of run
ming again would not strike him. and
nobody in his party is strong enough to
make an effective protest. Mr.. Bryan,
who no doubt forced the declaration
into the platform TO promote his own po-
litical fortunes. Is now hardly a memory.
and others who were leaders of their
party in 1912 have abandoned all hope
of defeating the denomination of the
President.
No doubt Mr.. Cleveland was sincere
when he wrote OF the lust for office, the
temptation to retain power once gained
and the danger that arises from a horde
OF of1ceholders with a zeal born Of bene-
fits received and fostered ny the hope
Of favor yet 10 come. But when once
In office he wanted to stay there. No
doubt his SUCCESSORS who made un-
%eduivocal declaration thought they
We're sincere At the time, hut the lust
for power was too strong. Mr.. Hackett
is mistaken in supposing that a promise
not 20 run again would change the atti-
,ude OF political parties toward Presi-
dent Wilson. Judging by experience,
any declaration that the President might
make regarding a second term would
he distrusted. No President is willing
10 step aside after one term. Indeed.
for more than eighty years every Presi-
dent who has had two terms or the
equivalent Of two terms has been will
Ing to accept a third. w. IL. ;.
NEW IoRK, June r.