He couldn't tell a lie. Illustration shows Theodore Roosevelt, dressed as George Washington, holding an axe labeled 1912 Candidacy, and with his left hand on his chin, he ponders chopping down a cherry tree which has a quote carved into it that states 'The wise custom which limits the president to two terms regards the substance and not the form, and under no circumsance will I be a candidate for or accept another term' TR Nov. 9, 1904. Date 1912 February 14. He couldn't tell a lie. Illustration shows Theodore Roosevelt, dressed as George Washington, holding an axe labeled 1912 Candidacy, and with his left hand on his chin, he ponders chopping down a cherry tree which has a quote carved into it that states 'The wise custom which limits the president to two terms regards the substance and not the form, and under no circumsance will I be a candidate for or accept another term' TR Nov. 9, 1904. Date 1912 February 14.