Okolona messenger. (Okolona, Miss.) 1900-current, 1903-02-11

PV-<S@>- Parker, OF New York, with so
much favor He is believed to be man OF good
ability. he is known to be one with whose past ca
reer and present political opinions the people have
almost no acquaintance. It is thought possible,
therefore, that the dscordant elements of the DemOc
racy might be united in his support. It is hoped
also that that the many Republicans who have been
repelled by President ROOsevelt's insane methods
and bull head personality might be enlisted in his
following.
It is probable, bOwever that those democrats who
favor the nomination of an obscure man are nhuenc-
ed as much by considerations drawn from history
as by any derived from present conditions. The re-
suits ef past elections show that on the average an
obscure man, or rather one who has not been prom
ineDt in national politics and whose opinions on i'm
portant public questions are doubtful, stands bet
ter chance Of election to the presidency than one
who has long taken leading part in public affairs
and whose principles admit Of questions The
first presidents OF the United States were all dstin-
guished statesmen. But since the election of John
Quincy Adams it has been the rule hat when an
obscure man, or one whose views doubtful, has
run against one widely and familiarly known, the
Former has won. Jackson WAS a famous soldier,
but, compared with those of Adams, whom he de.
teated his political opinions we're unknown at the
time Of his first election; and he hardly ranked as
q statesman with Clay, whom he defeated at the
next election. Martin Van Buren was one OF the
best known politicians Of his time when be was
elected in 1886. -Four years later he was defeated
held high civil offices, was, like Jackson principal
ly famous as a soldier It would hardly be said
that James x. Polk was as celebrated statesman
as Henry Clay, whom he defeated. Zachary Taylor
q soldier whose views on public matters he confess
ed he himself did not know, in 1848 defeated Lewis
Cass, who In his day eminent Democratic lead
er. Franklin Pierce was nominated bytheDemOcrats
as compromise candidate, his views on the slave.
ry question being uncertain that he was support.
ed by Democrats and Wings, both North and South
Buchanan, like Van Buren at the time of his elec-
hOn, was an exception to the rule, being much more
prominent in policies than Fremont whom be de-
ieated. But lincoln, when be defeated Douglas;
Grant, when he defeated Seymour, and Cleveland
when be defeated Blaine, we're less generally known
as public men and politicians than their unsuccess-
full competitors.
From purely practical point of view. therefore
it would seem to be the part Of wisdom for the Dem
Ocrats to nominate an obscure man; especially as
their party is badly split that they could hardly
get all ITS wings to support any we'll known man.
But from patriotic standpoint, this plan has little
to commend it. The administrations which presi
Dental obscurites have given the country have not
been such as to recommend to popular favor any
who may IN future be nominated. Jackson estab
lshed the spOils system aud by his ignorant mis-
Management of the cOuntry's finances prOstrated
business and industry Of every kind. Pierce's
handling Of the Kansas question hurried on the con-
fict between North and South and made it more (
terrible when it came. Grant, like Jackson was !
great soldier and an honest man; but those who
take the most favorable view of his administrations
now cOncede that a statesman he tailed. CieVe-
land brought on hard times, and incidentally dis
rupted his party. As for the other four compara
lively obscure men who elevated to the presi
dency, Harrison and Taylor died before they had
chance to do either good harm; Polk plunged the
country into war whose glorious result and great
ultimate benefit cannot blur the fact that it was un
justly commenced; while Lincoln proved one of the
greatest statesman that any nation ever had.
The presidential Office is so important one that
it ought never to be vested in any man whose fitness
and ability has not been proved In other conspicu
Ous civil positions; and the lesson of the countrys
experience sustains this conclusion of person.
Kansas CITY Journal