Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1922-04-20
MR., WILSON'S PURPOSE.

lisve ex-President Wilson has a dis
tlnct purpose in his somewhat start
ling performances, recently. Of repu-
dating the assumption Of his late
private secretary. Mr.. Tumulty. and
throwing hot shot into the campaign
Of Senator Reed of Missouri for the
Democratic nomination for another
term In tho Senate. They believe he
Is endeavorins to re-establish himself
a. natfonalleader OF the Democratic
party, with a view of placing himself
in the position Of logical candidate"
for the Democratic nomination for
President IN 1924.
To most persons. however, it Will
appear that Mr.. Wilson is too close
an observer of our country's history.
especially Its political history, TO en-
terrain the impression that he would
have any chance of being elected to
n third term In the Presidency. Wash
inston might have enjoyed his SUI
preme honor. but resolutely refused
It's prefer. Others who might have
longed for I, RETAINED from putting
their desire 20 the test.
More than one President has made
three attempts for the Presidency. but
not for a third term in the office.
Andrew Jackson. defeated in 1924,
was elected In 1925 and 1882. Possibly
Jackson. with his able and influential
leadership, might have gained a third
successive term, but he made no at
tempt in this direction. Instead. he
dictated the selection OF his successor
President Martin Van Buren,.
Van Buren,, elected IN 1893. wa de.
feated as q candidate for reelection
in 1870. He was "chiseled out OF" the
nomination in Is+4. by shrewd party
leaders, and IN ls4s n as the candi'
date Of the Free Soil Democrats
party, but only succeeded in SO divid
Ing the Democratic vote as 20 permi
the election OF President: zachar.
Taylor.
General Grant wal the FIRST Presi
dent TO deliberately make a campaign
for a third term. Elected In 1868 an
reelected in 1872. he entered tn
campaign OF 1880 as the candidate O
the "stalwart" Republicans for an
other nomination. but failed after
memorable contest In the Republica
National Convention at Chicago, whe
he went down TO defeat after thirty
six ballots, with 800 faithful follower
standing by him TO the last
Grover Cleveland. elected in 1sS
defeated in 1855, and elected In 1879
made no effort for another term
would have beer futile. as he knew
well As others. and there was nev'
the slightest intimation that he d.
sired the honor. even II a renomint
ton could have been attainable.
Mr.. Bryan, who followed Mr.. Clev'
land as the national leader OF Il
Democratic party. was a PRESIDENT
candidate three times-in 1896. 10
and l9os-but defeat was his portic
each time.
Whether Mr.. Roosevelt would ha'
actually served a third term had
been elected In 1912, Is a questio
He became President on the death
President Mckinley. in 1901. havil
been elected vice-President the pr
vious year. and was reelected
1904. He secured the Progressi
Republican nomination In 1912. a
thereby defeated President Taft a
opened n clear pathway 10 the el'
ton OF President Wilson. But h
he been successful It would Ia
been only his second election by %
ular vote. Still his candidacy "
generally regarded az for a third ter
and ne seemed 20 view IT in that lg
a. was sttested by his whimsical T
srenes to a maj who might like
third cup Of coffee"
with Mr.. Wilson, however, anotl
campaign would distinctly be for
third term. and II is hardly posi-
ne would consent TO enter upon 81
a hazardous political venture.
success In a campaign for tho nomi
ton would be extremely doubt
Notwithstanding his great ability
prestige and his capacity as a polit
leader. ~ he has many political e
- - well - friends. Election I