The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1904-04-25
LETTERS FROM THEP
Some Radical Views on the Most Desirable
Democratic Policy.


To the Editor of The. Globe:
/ would not detract in any part what
ever from any NEED of praise and esteem
which Judge Parker may merit; but at
viction that his highest ambition to con-
tinue to hold his Office on the court of ap-
peals bench until he became too old to
serve" ought noe to be inteTfered with by
anybody.
Some months ago in advocating the
nomination Of Mr.. Cleveland expressed
myself as follows: ANY other man
would be a mere dummy candidate, stand
ing for nothing in particular, the candi-
dacy being but mere empty honor and
a perfunctOTy fulfilling of custom, the
only thing in contemplation being a mere
possible tiding over of a period of forget
ting differences in the hope sometime or
other for some sort or other OF party mar
mOny and unity. Excepting in case of
one possible contingency, all intervening
events have but strengthened and con-
firmed this conviction, and nothing more
SO than what is being said about the per-
sonal characteristics and career of Judge
Parker.
The one contingency above mentioned
would arise in case OF Mr.. Cleveland
possible untimely death before the cleo
ton; in which event his nearest proto-
type should be selected as his successor
in the representation of the party; and
this would be Mr.. Olney. And l would
cannot in any event be availed of for the
purpose, then the next best thing that
can be done is the choosing of MIR. Olney
in his stead. But under existing cOntin-
gencies favor Mr.. Cleveland's nomination
regardless of what he may say in refer
ence to the matter. If he should elect
not to qualify after being elected the va
cancy can then be filled.
With the nominations of Mcclellan, Gree
ley. Hancock and Bryan, and its expert
ences hereunder behind the party on the
one hand; and the nominations of Tilden
and Cleveland and its experiences there
under also behind the party on the other
hand, the present tendencies within the
party fully and fairly warrant the Ques-
ton as to whether its endowment is not
in fact of internaittent nationality only,
with strong indications that its impending
course will only prove a lamentable con-
tinuatien of an already painfully long
period Of irratienality.
I am net at all unmindful of Mr.. Cleve-
lands attitude. 1t Is but natural that
he should have an overwhelming personal
aversion to pe-engaging in such affairs,
and that he would eagerly avail OF every
opportunity to thrust the burden as far
from himself as possible. And if 1t were
toward him without reference to anything
else. 1t would be ineXcusable to urge his
nomination. He fully merits all relief
from such cares and responsibilities with
opportunity for a peaceful closing of his
days serene and content in the conscious
ness of duty We'll and faithfully done. But
II the Democratic party Is to be q thing
in any part whatever worthy of preserva-
ton and perpetnation, then every eenSid-
Grafton demands his nomination by the
party for its own sake, and sacrifice Upon
his part of all considerations of personal
preferences, also for its sake.
l confess disappointment in Mr.. Cleve-
lands recently expressed views in discuss
ing Democracy's opportunity, ON account of
his lapse into the old habit of arraignment
fand denunciation Of the opposition; a thing
which never did and never will constitute
a common sense platform. Still / am in
favor of his nomination. for 1 have no
doubt that if the platform is what it
ought to be no one viii more fully and
heartily indorse and eSpouse it than will
he.
If the party is incapable Of rational
sound and progressive constructiveness,
accompanied by corresponding executive
ness, it is undeserving of existence. SO
far as | can see there are but three or
four things calling for special considera-
ton. And first and foremost of all is the
lack. and therefore need, of equality of
opportunity for all; the next the method
of deriving public revenues; or in other
words, the problem of the equitable and
just apportioning of the financial bur