The Ocala evening star. [volume] (Ocala, Fla.) 1895-1943, 1904-10-01
JUDGE PARkER'S
!. LETTER O. ACCEPTANCE
Sept. &c. 1904.

Sept. &c. 1904.
To the Hon. Champ Clark and Others.
Committee, Etc:
Gentlemen-In my response to your
committee at the formal notification
proceedings referred to some matters
not mentioned In this letter. desire
that these be considered as incOrporat-
ed herein. and regret that lack Of space
prevents specific reference to them
all. l wish here, however. again to refer
to my views there expressed as to the
gold standard. to declare again my un-
Qualifed belief in said standard and to
express my appreciation Of the action
Of the convention in reply to my COM
munication upon that subject.
Grave public questions are pressing
for decision. The Democratic party
appeals to the people with confidence
chat its position on these questions will
be accepted and indOrsed at the polls.
while the issues involved are numer-
GUS, some stand forth pre-eminent In
the public mind. Among these are
tariff reform. Imperialism. economical
administration and honesty in the pub
dc service. 1 shall briefly consider
these and some others within the nee
essarily prescribed limits of this letter.
imperialism.
While l presented my views at the
notification proceedings concerning this
vital issue. the overshadOwing imp0r-
lance Of this question impels me to re-
fer to 1t again. The issue is often
times referred to as constitutionalism
versus Imperialism.
II we would retain our liberties and
constitutional rights unimpaired we
cannot permit or tolerate at any time
or for any purpose the arrOgatiOn of
unconstitutional powers by the execu-
tive branch Of our government. We
should he ever mindful Of the words
of Webster. Liberty is only to be pre-
served by maintaining constitutional
restraints and just division Of polit'
zeal powers.
Already the national government has
become centralized beyond any point
contemplated or imagined by the
founders of the constitution. How ire
mendOusly all this has added to the
power Of the president! 1t has devel
Oped from year to year until it almost
equals that OF many mOnarchs. While
the growth OF our country and the mag
nitude Of Interstate interests may seem
to furnish a plausible reason for this
Capitalization Of power, yet these same
facts afford the most potent reason
mitted to encroach upon the other de
,partments Of the government and as
sumo legislative or other powers moi
expressly conferred by the constitu
.tiOn.
The magnitude Of the country an(
Its diversity Of interests and pOpula
ton would enable q determined. ambi
tiOus and able executive. unmindful o.
constitutional limitations and firet
with the lust of power. to 60 far IL
the usurpation of authority and tn
aggrandizement OF personal power be
fore the situation could be fully appre
ciated or the people be aroused.
; The issue Of Imperialism which ha
been thrust upon the country involve
q decision whether the law Of the Ian,
or the rule Of individual caprice shall
govern. The principle Of imperialism
may give rise to brilliant, startling
dashing results. but the principle o
democracy holds in check the brillian
executive and subjects him to the 50
Der. conservative control Of the people
The people Of the United State
stand ut the parting Of the ways
Shall We follow the footsteps Of ou
fathers along the paths of peace. pros
perity and cOntentment. guided by tn
ever living spirit of the constitution
which they framed for US. or shall "
50 along other and untried paths hitt
erto Stunned by all. following blindl
new ideals which. though appealing
with brilliancy to the imagination an
ambition. may prove Il will-O'-the-wisI
leading us into difficulties from whic
1t may be impossible to extricate oul
selves without lastin. injury to on
national character and institutions:
The Tariff and Trusts.
Tariff reform is one Of the cardin:
principles of the Democratic faith. an
the necessity for ii was never create
than 1t the present time. 1t should b
undertaken ut once in the interest G
all our people.
The Dinsley tariff Is excessive
many Of its rates and, as to them q
least. unjustly and oppreSSively bu
dcns the people. 1t secures to DOME
tic manufacturers. singly or in comb
nation, the privilege of eXactinS q!
ceSSive prices ut home and prices f:
above Che level Of sales made re.ula
~ by them abroad with profit. tie
giving bounty TO foreigners at IL
expense Of our own people. 1t levit
oppressive and unjust taxes upO
many articles forming in whole or pa
the so called raw material Of man
of our manufactured products. not o.
ly burdening the consumer. but al:
closing to the manufacturer the ma
IketS he needs and seeks abroad. I
unjust taxation burdens the Peep
generally. forcing them to pay exceS
i've prices for food. fuel. clothing al
other necessarieS Of life. 1t levies i