The New York herald., 1920-01-04
By HANNlS TAYLOR
(Author of "The Origin and Growth
OF the American Constitution").

The somewhat sudden temperance of
Mr.. Bryan in the political arena, coupled,
as 1t is, with his threat to present at the
jackson Day dinner his conception of sn
ideal President, recalls the fact that, at
the outset Of his career, he made a single
Presidential term one of the cornerstones
OF his political faith. The most lucid and
compelling speeches he has ever delivered
nave been those in which he has bitterly
and justly condemned the manifold evils
resulting in our public life from the sin
ister and selfish intrigues set on foot at
the inauguration of every President for
the purpose OF securing to him second
term. He has made no mistake in con-
tend!ng that this eating cancer. which
grows more malignant every year, should
be cut out by the roots
The practical outcome Of Mr.. Bryans
preaching was the act of his friend, Mr..
Clayton. OF Alabama, who, as the chair
man OF the Judiciary Committee of the
House. offered. on June 4. 1912, an amend
ment to the Constitution making the Pres
ident ineligible for second term. The
baltimore Convention, which met on the
9th OF that month, indorsed that proposal
py emoodying in it's platform the solemn
ana explicit declaration that I'VE favor
q single Presidential term and to that end
urge the adoption Of an amendment to tine
constitution making the President OF the
United States Ineligible for reelection, q nd
we pledge the candidate Of this conyen-
tion to this principle" Tt was to that
solemn and explicit covenant with the
people that Mr.. Wilson pledged his honor
when ne became the candidate Of the Bal
timore convention in 1872
In order to translate that pledge into
vivid and living reality Mr. BRYAN made
q speaking tour Of the country as Mr..
Wuson's 8 authorized representa- tive. as his
o!nciaI spokesman as Secretary of State
elect. Under such conditions he under.
took to captivate the minds of the people
and to win their votes for his candldat tie
by presenting to them his ideal of a
President pledged by every obligation OF
honor to a single term. Such President
he assured the American people, Mr.
Wilson would be. At a great mass meet
ing held at Indianapolis on October Il,
1912, which by chance I attended, Mr.
Bryan, as Mr.. Wilson'S guarantor. said
1--WE present fim-Mr. Wilson-not only
qualified in every way. but We present
him pledged to single term, that he may
be your President and spend no time
in planning for reelection: that he may
give you all his thought and all his
heart and all his energy. believe that
when man is lifted by his countrymer
to this pinnacle of power he ought to
tear from his heart every thought of am
bition and ON his bended knees conse-
crate his term to his country's service.
That is our ideal President. and We pre-
sent to you man who measures up to
that ideal" That pledge for Mr.. Wilson
Mr.. Bryan repeated everywhere.
Who would not rejoice II 1t were possible
for oblivion to conceal from posterity the
dreadful sequel which must ever bring
the blush of shame to the face of every
self-respecting American? All the world
knows thatinstead of keeping his solemn