Martinsburg statesman. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1869-1906, 1904-11-18
JUDGE PARKER's LETTER.

10 The Democracy of the Nation:
Our thanks are due TO tie men,
oers OF the national COMMITTEES ard to
The executive committee in charge Of
the campaign fer most unselfish, ca
pable and brilliant party service. All
that 1t was possible i6r men to do
they cid, but our diff ulty was be-
yond the reach of party managers.
II am most grateful to them AID
wish in this general way 10 extend
my thanks to the workers, as well as
the rank aud file. all over the country
know how hard they strug gled
against overwhelming odds, and
only wish could take each by the
hand and thank him.
Deeply as regretted leaving III
bench at the time, in tbs presence OF
overwhelming defeat l do not lament
1t. thought it was my duty. Ia the
lighto OF my present information I am
now even more confident that I did
right. shall never seek a nomination
for public office. but shalt TO the
best of my ability serve the party that
has honored me. and through the
party serve my country.
"fhe party has in the near future
a great mission. Before long the peo-
pie will realize that the tariff. fed
trusts and illegal combinations are
absorbing the wealth OF the nation
Theu they will wish 10 throw of these
leeches, but the Republican party will
not aid them to do it, for its leaders
appreciate too we'll the uses to whic h
the moneys of the trusts can be put
in political campaigns.
when that time CO mes-and come
1t will-the people will turn to the
Democratic party for relief. and the
party should be ready-ready with an
organization 9f patriotic citize MS COW
ering every election district who are
willing to work for the love of the
cause, an organization supported by
as many town, city, county aud State
officars as we are able TO elect in the
meantime
eve entered this canvass with
every Northern, Western aud Il ,st-
ern State, save one, in Republica n
control. This gave to that party a
large army OF ffceholders, reaching
into every hamlet. many OF whom
gladly followed the examples set for
them by the members of the Presi-
dents Cabinet in devotiug their time
and services to the party
ITO accomplish much in this di.
rection, however. we must forget The
difficulties of the past. If any one
suspects his nei ghbor of treachery, lei
him not hint Of his suspicion. If he
knows he has deserted us, let him not
tell it.
''Our forces have been weakened
by divisions. We have quarreled at
times over nou-essentials. If we would
help the people, if we would furnish
an organization through which they
may be relieved of a parry that has
grown SO corrupt that it will gladly
enter into partnership with trusts to
secure moneys for election purposes.
we must forget the past and begin
this day to build up wherever it may
be needed broad and effective organ
ization. And we must by constant
teaching, through the press and from
the platform, apprise the people OF
the way the vicious tariff circls works
"We must bring home to them at
other than election times the fact that
money contributed to the Republican
p arty by the trusts is not only dis
b onest money, bvt it is given that
the trusts may without hindrance
take much larger sum from the peo-
pie.
I'm the presence of defeat that
would take away all personal ambi-
ton, were it true that otherwise it
possessed me. do not hesitate to say
that in my opinion the q eatest NOR
al question which now conirouts us:
"Shall the trusts and corporation 8
be prevented from contributing mon
ey to control, or. to aid in controlling,
elections1
"Sucn service as I can render in
that or any other direction will be
gladly rendered. And I beg the CO.
operation as fellow-worker of ever y
Democrat in the country.
Alton B. Parker"