Idaho Springs siftings., 1904-10-15
AN ARTFUL DODGER
JUDGE PARkERS DexTERITY IN
THE ART OF EVASION
A Few Reflections Upon the Demo-
cratic Caudidate's Letter of Accep-
tance Document that Does Not
Convince the Reader.

Convince the Reader.
Few people outside of those politically
interested will be found who claim to
have waded through all OF Alton u.
Parker's letter OF acceptance. Those
who have performed the feat must ad-
nit fatigue. Although the tone of the
letter is more clear and emphatic than
that of the nerveless and insinid speech
of acceptance, il is without that supreme
quality which fixes attention. As one
reads the mind wanders. The perform
anee. in short. is not convincing.
In some passages there is marked evil
dence of the foxy ceverness Of David
Bennett Hill. Here is the voice of
Jacob indeed, but the hand is the hand
of Esau. But, even with the injection
OF IIill there is little in the document
to ward off the gentle influences of
cumberland.
In his remarks upon imperialism,
intended 20 be impressive, the judicial
candidate succeeds only in being solemn
and duh, and his long words and long
sentences lead nowhere. for he gives no
instances of the violation of the hber-
ties and constitutional rights he is so
| anxious To uphold. He merely winds
round and round the subject he has
introduced Win n upi4ISn- as 1nfstl-
tutional VS.. Imperialism" and ends
| abruptly with a general and scattering
fire upon an ina sinary determined. am
bitious and able executive" who might,
could. would or should do something
real devilish'' some day, If the Repub-
! licans are retained in power.
| VIII Not Follow Democrats.
And the statesman Of Esopus forgets
a good many things, or, possibly he
doesn't forget Perhaps he never knew
much 4 bout the history of the people Of
the United States.
SHALL WE FOLLOW THE
| FOOT STEPS OF OUR FATHERS
ALONG TIE PATHS or PEACE.
PROSPERITY. AND CONTENT
MENi' he asks
| NOT UNDER THE LEADERSHIP
OF THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY,
comes a many-voiced reply.
When has the Democratic party ever
led among the pleasant fields of peace,
along the streams of prosperity where
fed the fat floclis OF contentmentf
PEACEt
| What party plunged this nation into
such war OF Rebellion as the world
has never seen, and kept il there, at
untold expense Of blood and tears and
treasure for four long years?
| PROSPERITY.
What party undermined the wealth
and productive force. the credit and the
industrial life of the United States TO
the appalling conditions of 1898, con
ditions which SO worked upon the minds
OF men as to render them easy victims
to the schemes aud visions of the silver
| craze OF 1896.
| CONFINEMENT.
| What party has fostered within its
| bosom all the tireless agitafors, the dis
turbers. cranks and misantbropic pessi-
| mists, who have had full hand In q
| full country!
| Save us from the Democratic version
OF peace, prosperity and conteniment.
Further Evssions.
In hi. utterances upon the Imperial"
bogy Mr. Parker IS gushing. when il
gets to the tariff he settles down into
the jog-trot of party dnllBess and fog.
In his discussion OF pension order. No
IS. he begins dodring questions with
neat dexterity. and he keeps this up.
with varying success throughout the let
ter. executing grand summersanlt when
whizzing by the trusts.
The amusing assumption of RepubH-
can ideas on the Panama Canal, the
Irrigation of arid lands. foreign relations
and American citizenship need no com
ment. They constitute what is an old
story to Republicans, but may come
as a revelation to Democrats.
| Following President Eoosevelt's e1-
ample, Mr.. Parker winds mp his letter
with eight or ten questions. but in select
ing the questions MIR. Parker departed
from the excellent model At first chosen
aud asks only questions which answer
| themselves.
| Ii is comforting to be assured thar
the Democratic candidate aud his asso-
ciates await the peoples verdict with
| calmness and confidence"
SO do the people themselves, especial
| ly the Republicans among them. There
is really nothing 20 get nurried about.
nothing to scare the most timid Demo
| crat ln the bnnch OF scnrv hrethren