The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1904-09-27
JUDGE PARKER's LETTER.

JUDGE ALTON 3. PARKER'S letter
} of acceptance is easily the most
mastery contribution we have had to
the political literature of this cam
paign. Indeed. it is doubtful if finer
letter Of acceptance has been written
by any presidential nominee in recent
years. 1t cannot fail TO meet with the
appreciation of every Democrat and of
every voter who thinks for himself.
The president, in his letter of ac-
ceptance, asked for issues. Judge Par
ker has given them TO him. They are
Imperialism, the tariff, a constitutional
government as opposed to a political
despotism, economical administration
OF public affairs, a sweeping investiga-
ton OF the various governmental de-
partments to the end that any frauds
existing therein may be discovered and
punished
Here are issues in plenty for Mr..
Roosevelt TO consider, and we feel sure
that unprejudiced observers who read
Judge Parker's letter will coneede that
the Democrats have the better of the
argument. There is nothing uncertain
in the letter. In language so simple a
child can understand it, Judge Parker
clearly defines his position on every
question now before the public.
At the outset he reafTirms the posi-
ton he took months ago on the money
question, again expressing his unqual-
flied belief in the gold standard. Then
he discusses Imperialism, the tariff,
trusts and reciprocity. Judge Parker
declares fatty in favor of granting in
dependence to the Filipinos, and he be
Ifeves they should be assured at once
that as soon as they are educated TO a
point where they can govern them
selves they viii be permitted TO do so.
Judge Parker makes no pretenses at
being a phrase-maker. but he said
something that viii live when, on the
subject of imperialism, he declared:
"And this should be done, not only
in justice to the Filipino. but to pre-
serve our rights; for a free people can
not withhold freedom from another
people and themselves remain free. The
liberation OF tyranny over others Will
soon breed contempt for freedom and
lf-government, and weaken our pow
er of resistance to insidious Usurpation
of our constitutional rights
On the tariff he lays down the
soundest Democratic doctrine when he
says: "The two leading parties have
always differed as to the principle of
customs taxation. Our party has al
ways advanced the theory that the OBJ
ject Is the raising of revenue for sup
port Of the government whatever other
results may incidentally flow there
from. The Republican party, on the
other hand, contends that customs du-
ties should be levied primarily for pro-
lection. so-called. with revenue as the
subordinate purpose, thus using the
power of. taxation 10 build up the bust
ness and property of the few at the
expense of the many"
The west is interested, naturally, in
Judge Parkers attitude on the subject
OF national irrigation. And the west
viii be glad to- know that he gives his
hearty endorsement TO the law. He
speaks of 1t as "the outcome of intel
ligent and persistent efforts of leading
citizens" and gives assurance that he
Will further its workings by every
proper method in his power.
"The magnitude of the conception, -
he says, land the enormous expense
its carrying oft involves, makes
us realize the overwhelming Importance
OF a broad. capable and honest admin
istration of the work authorized by the
statute if effect is given to that part OF
the plan that relieves the country al
large from ultimate responsibility"
Replying TO President Roosevelt's de-
tense Of his order giving pensions to all
veterans who have reached the age OF
62 years. by virtue Of that fact and the
presidents inquiry if a Democratic
president would rescind that order
Judge Parker says:
''This suggests a suspicion at least
that the order was made 10 create an
issue-that It was supposed TO present
a strong strategic position in the hat
Tie of the ballots. on the assumption
that the order, as stated by the adj
ADMINISTRATION. is reEocable at the pleas
ure Of the executive, II having been AN
attempted. though perhaps unwitting
eneroachment Upon legislative power
and therefore unwarranted by the con-
stitution, I accept the challenge and
declare that If elected I win revoke that
order But I go further and say, that
being done. 7 Will contribute my effort
toward the enactment of law. to be
passed by both houses OF congress and
approved by the executive. that will
give an age pension. without reference
10 disability. to the surviving heroes OF
the civil war; and under the provisions
of which a pension may be accepted
with dignity because OF the conscious
ness that it comes as a just due from
the people through their chosen rep
rsscntatives and not as largess dis
trIbuted by the chief executive"
IT is impossible IN the limited space
allotted to this comment to make ref
ereirce 10 all the important features oil
Judge Parker's letter. They viii be
taken up and discussed from time "a
time as the campaign makes further
progress. 1t is enough to say that the
Democratic candidate has shown him.
self TO be a leader worthy of the entire
Democratic and independent following,
he has shown that II he Is elected pres.
ident-and ~ boleve more strongl,
today than ever thu he viii bc-the ma
ton viii have an administration oi
which all the people may be proud.