The daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1873-1877, 1876-05-29
Governor Parker.

The action of the Democrats of New
Jersey is significant. They declare their
firm faith in the principles of home rule,
hard money and free trade, aud demand
administration reform. They want no
compromise which shall in any jot or title
leopard these issues; and while they pre-
sent to the favor Of their fellow Democrats
Joel Parker, the leader of the party 10 the
state, they pledge their hearty support to
the candidate of the national convention,
whosoever he may be. Thus the third of
the great Metropolitan states closes up
shoulder TO shoulder with her companions,
making a solid phalanx for sound measures
which it will be hard to break. New
York. Connecticut and New Jersey move
side by side with one determined purpose
they do not insist upon the choice OF the
men whom they have named, but for their
principles they will stand fast.
In saying this, il must not be understood
that New Jersey Democrats have recon-
mended Governor Parker merely as
matter Of form. or that they will desert
his cause so long as there is any chance Of
securing his nominating, Judging from
their past action they will prove earnest
and stubborn partisans. In the conven-
ton of 1868, where the last regular con-
test between leading Democratic candi-
dates took place, New Jersey came for
ward in support of her trusted leader and
never wavered in her loyalty until toward
the close OF long struggle. Eighteen
times the seven votes of the state were
cast for Parker, and on the nineteenth
ballot a division occurred. New Jersey
then swung round to the support Of Sey-
mour, who was nominated on the twenty
second ballot. This action of the delegates
shows how strongly rooted the governor is
in the confidence Of the state. A glance
at his character and his record explains
the growth of his influence.
Governor Parker is not sprung from
what is commonly termed revolutionary
family, though his grandfather carried a
musket through the war of independence.
His father was so trusted by his fellow
citizens of all parties that he was chosen
treasurer of the state for sixteen years in
succession amid various political changes
and the son seems to have inherited a
large share of the love which his
father had acquired. and has greatly
added to the inheritance He was made
familiar with the management of public
affairs early in life, had three years farming
experience before reaching manhood, and
finally adopted and entered upon the
practice of the profession of the law. In
robustness Of frame and LONELINESS oil
manner, he now looks the farmer rather
than the lawyer. After much experience
in the state legislature and brilliant
professional success, he was elected gov
ernor OF New Jersey in 1862, having spent
the previous year in organizing state troops
for the federal army unUer the appoint
ment of the Republican governor. During
the war he guided the affairs of the state
with wisdom, patriotism and executive
ability unsurpassed by any executive il
the north. Andrew, of Massachusetts
and Morton, Of Indiana, earned grea
reputation as war governors, anu ye
neither of them did more effective worl
than Parker, and neither so consistent,
guarded the principles of civil liberty in
great military crisis. In New Jerse,
volunteering continued twelve month
after the draft had been ordered in tn
other states and so rapid we're the gov
ernor's movements in the hour of need
that when Lee invaded Pennsylvania tn
New Jersey troops were marching through
Philadelphia almost before the peopl
realized their danger. Yet in summing
up the labors of that period afterwards h
could boast that. excluding her war debt
the state did not owe dollar; that no
one of her bonds had been sold below par
and that mot single right of the state O
New Jersey had been yielded, and no
lone of her citizens, during any admin
''istration, had been deprived of hi
liberty without due process of law" FEY
public men have served community s
well.
Owing to the fact that all his labor
have been confined to the somewha
narrow sphere of his own state, Governo
Parker assumes place among that elias
Of comparatively unknown men from whic
presidential candidates have been so ofte
selected when the contest between the lead
ers of national reputation grew bitter
Should he be called to the leadership of tn
party in the coming canvass, no personal at
tack will be possible. His fame as war gov
ernor, his financial reforms, his champion
ship of civil liberty, his clear Apprehension
of the dual nature of our government, hi
purity of character and his popularit
among his friends and neighbors constitut
credentials as good as those which an
other candidate can present in asking tn
suffrages of the people-N y World.
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