Evening star., 1938-07-20

IN my mind, as certain as anything can
possibly be in this topsy-turvy world.
Let's add one more question: Does
Mr.. Roosevelt think he can be elected
a third time?" There probably isn't
&he slightest doubt in his mind and
none at all in the minds of his asso-
ciates. So, if he can be elected, they
reason, why should he not figure out
some way to overcome the hurdle
an American tradition which has
lasted since George Washington put
away the crown for the third time.
Tradition Not Infiexible.
To be logical, however, why should
this tradition bother Mr.. Roosevelt
any more than the tradition that
- sacred American institution and
should not be tampered with. Any
President who has the temerity to
recommend in formal message to
both houses of Congress that law be
passed permitting him to appoint six
extra justices so as to circumvent the
decisions of the five who had been
ruling his legislation invalid can
very easily brush aside the unwritten
law about third terms.
One can almost hear Mr.. Roosevelts
flfeside address as he may some day
deliver 1t:
My friends" he might say, you
and I know that these are extraordi-
nary times. and they call for eXtraor-
dinary action on the part of govern
ment. In my two administrations I
have undertaken to modernize the
American Government to effect tran
sition between the old theory of States
rights and the new theory of a CEN
tealized Federal Government which
can function efficiently in the public
interest.
We can no longer wait for the
backward States in the South or else
where to keep step with the more pro-
gressive States. We must bring about
uniformity and this can be done best
by central government Other ma
tions have found it so and We must
change. too.
Now know that there has been
third-term tradition. should be the
f1st to wish it maintained. For /
have high respect for the splendid
spirit of self-abnegation which caused
President Washington and others to
refrain from seeking a third term.
Might Inject Fear
1T is not for myself. however, that
I am concerned. 1 would prefer to 20
to Hyde Park and rest. But-and you
and I know this is true-the economic
royalists are ready to exploit you
again. AS I said in one of my mes
s3ees to Congress, we have created
new instruments of power which, in
the hands Of a peoples government,
are desirable, but in the hands of eco
nomic autocrats would enslave us.
The Democratic National Conven-
ton has spoken. l have not attempted
to influence its action. 1t has sum-
moned me to service. l must put aside
all personal desires or wishes and
obey the call of my party"
Mr. Roosevelt could write an even
better speech because, as experience
has proven, consistency is no particu-
ar worry OF his, and what is usually
urged by the President is line of
argument which does not depend on
logic but on emotion. The groups who
have benefited by the public handouts
and by class legislation will want to
see the favors to them continued.
They will shout and cheer and support
the President for third term. They
are beginning the draft movement
already.
But there will be another kind of
cheering from another direction. 1t
viii be the Republican chieftains. They
will be rejoicing because the third-term
issue will split the Democratic party
as certainly in 1910 as Theodore
Roosevelt split the Republican party