Evening star., 1939-06-20
Third Term backers
AssaiIed by Burke
On Radio Forum
Senator Cites Theories
Of Jefferson and
Jackson on Question

oCIideoA oul me- DCulOSl dt, Va 4NC-
braska, discussed THE Third Term
Tradition" in an address last night
during the National Radio Forum,
arranged by The Star and broad
cast over a National Broadcasting
Co. network. His address follows:
II want President Roosevelt to
run for a third term" declares
the Honorable Harold Ickes, who
for six years has sat at the cabinet
table by the Presidents choice. The
tradition against third term is
political humbug," says he. Neither
the Secretary nor the President
could have underestimated the
significance that the country would
attach to such statements consid-
ering how close the ties that bind
the two in personal friendship and
mutually sympathetic understand
ing.
Is adherence to the two-term
limitation political humbug," or is
1t a tradition the maintenance of
which is vital If we are to escape
ENHANCEMENT in world currents
which have swept democracies to
destruction and in their place en-
throned relationships? That is the
question that now absorbs the at
tention of the country. For that
reason, deeply appreciate the in
vitation to discuss the matter be-
fore the National Radio Forum. In
seeking an answer propose to turn
back the pages of history in order
that we may trace the development
of this tradition which some would
now brush lightly aside
May state first my own firm con-
viction formed as result Of such
study. I believe that the ira
dition should be maintained in
violate. First Of all, because it
typifies that fundamental of Ameri-
can democracy that ours is a gov
eminent of laws and not Of men,
that our strength rests upon prin-
ciples rather than upon individuals.
Even better than limitation by
tradition to two terms would be a
longer single term, say six years.
That would require constitutional
amendment. Such change would
unquestionably improve the admin
istration of the laws generally and
would increase the nonpartisan and
businesslike efficiency of the execu-
tive department. 1t would remove
much. of the inducement to the
building up of political machine.
lessen the possibility of attempted
"purges," increase the probability
that appointments would be made
for other than partisan or selfish
political purposes. 1t would be a
long step toward making the Presi-
dent the Chief Executive of the
whole people and not the leader
of mere faction or the head of
political party. The example of
totalitarian states should be suffi-
cient to put on guard even the most
unsuspecting. For the mortality
table of democracies discloses not
SO many sudden deaths as the
gradual sapping away of the lib
critics of the people until only the
shell Is left.
Development Traced.
May I further say by way of in
PRODUCTION that as lifelong ad-
herent to the political philosophy
OF Jefferson and Jackson I am
proud that the Democratic party up
to this day has given no counte-
nance to the sporadic attempts to
overthrow the tradition against any
person serving more than two terms
as Chief Executive. If now our
party is to follow after false gods
1t Is fitting that it should be under
the leadership of those not long
ambued with Jeffersonian or Jack
sonian ideals of democracy.
To appreciate the full significance
OF this tradition we must trace its
development through the $50 years
since our fathers rebelled against
the tyrannies of autocracy and with
remarkable foresight fashioned a
republican form of government
through which democratic princi-
Piles might be forever applied. Of
all the problems confronting the
constitutional convention none was
more troublesome than that with
respect to the selection and powers
OF the President There was a
common purpose to guard against a
reversion to monarchy or despot-
ISM but the members of the conven-
ton, without precedent to guide
them, were often sorely perplexed.
Although the first vote was for
the election of President by Con-
gress for a single seven-year term,
the members of the convention. be-
set as they were by all sorts of
uncertainties and difficulties, do not
appear to have given much thought
to the danger of not placing limit
upon the terms of office of a Presi-
dent elected otherwise than by Con-
gress. Not SO with Thomas Jeffer-
son. Unable to be present because
OF his service in France, he at
once realized that this defect might
prove to be the Achilles heel of the
republic. In letter to Washington
from Paris, Jefferson said:
However, shall hope that before
there is danger of this change TAX
ing place in the Office of President,
the good sense and free spirit of
our countrymen will make the
changes necessary to prevent it,"
At that time Jefferson preferred
single term of seven years. Later
on he felt that it was better to have
a shorter term with eligibility for
single reelection. He was con-
tent with the realization that