Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1916-06-10
Pledge Against Third Term.

1t was following the announcement of
his reelection in 1904 that Col. Roose-
welt made his famous statement re-
sardins the third term:
"I am deeply sensible of the honor
that has been done me-" he said, land
I shall try to show my qualification by
wise and just administration. On
March next shall have completed
three years and a half as President of
the United States, and 1 shall regard
that three years and half as my first
term. The wise custom which limits
the President to two terms regards the
no circumstances will be a candidate
for or accept another nomination"
It has been since said that Roosevelt
has broken his pledge in seeking nomi-
nation again, though there are others
who maintain that as he made no defl-
mite reference to the time at which
he would accept or seek a third nomi-
nation. his declaration had reference to
third consecutive term.
He accepted a position as contributing
editor Of the Outlook. after laboring
manfully for the election Of his then
friend and companion. William Howard
Taft. and set about preparing for the
African hunting expedition which he
had arranged to execute for the Smith
sonian Institution, at Washington.
Rooseve1t's hunting trip consumed the
greater portion of the years Of 1909
and 1910, and was followed by a tour
through the European countries. dur
ing which he received the welcome and
homage of their rulers and peoples.
Break With President Taft.
Mr.. Roosevelt almost Immediately
contributing editor. voicing his edito-
rial views on current topics with an
enthusiasm that rivaled his vigorous
statements while he was President. 1t
was through these editorials that he
later attacked the proposed reciprocity
agreement and peace treaties advocated
by the Taft administration.
As 1911 drew to close 1t became
more and moro evident that he was dis
satisfied with the Taft administration.
He attacked the reciprocity agreement
and the peace treaties vigorously-an
action that resulted in a breach of the
intimacy between himself and his erst-
while friend, President Taft.
This breach led to much talk of his
views on denomination. His old
statement positively stating that he
would not be a candidate or accept an
other nomination was raksd up and his
position in the great fight to be staged
In 1912 became burning question.
The first intimation of the landslide
in favor Of the colonel came with the
open declaration Of seven western gov
ernors that Roosevelt alone could be
their candidate. Then followed rapidly
an expression OF popular opinion that
led to his open announcement that he
would again be a candidate.
Crushed by "steam Roller"
At the republican convention in Chi
cago. however. the steam roller" was
in operation, and Roosevelt delegates
were thrown out and Taft delegates
were seated. Col Roosevelt and his
adherents claimed that they had been
robbed. They organized q party and a
convention of their own. and placed
Theodore Roosevelt In the field as their
candidate on q third ticket. Then be-
gan the campaign which resulted in the
election of Woodrow Wilson, Roosevelt
running second and Taft a poor third.
The republican party had been split
asunder and the democrats triumphed
because OF the division in the ranks Of
their opponents.
Roosevslts next exploit was q trip
through the wilds Of South America. In
which he explored the region of the
Amazon and nearly lost his life.
He returned to this country in time
to get into the campaign In 1914, when
he sought to have prcgressivss elected
to Congress and AZ governors OF states
The thir5 party, however, did not cut
much oS \ 6r~,xA n the electionA go