New-York tribune., 1904-08-16
OFF TIE KEY.

The Democratic national campaign began last
"Wednesday. when Judge Parker told his party
what, for present purposes, it thinks, or ought
10 think In the first flush of partisan enthuSl-
asm the candidates acceptance speech was
hailed as "admirable' by Democratic leaders
and editors. It was declared to furnish the
keynote for a safe, sane and unifying campaign
Yet within week the Democratic chorus has
gotten sadly off the key Democratic news
papers are in conflict as to what Judge Parker
sailor meant to say. Democratic 'spellbind-
ers'' are uncertain just what line OF argument
TO follow on the four vital issues Of the can
vass-the money question, trusts. the tariff ana
American policy in the Philippines There Is
demand on all sides for a new keynote-foF a
clarihcation and revision of the acceptance
speech. Pending that revision the Democratic
campaign threatens TO come to dead halt
On the Philippine issue Judge Parker's utter
ances have sauarely divided the Democratic
press The Brooklyn Eagle" and The New
York Times" interpret his declaration that we
must give the Fflipinos self government only
"as soon as they are reasonably prepared for
IT, as an acaulescence I'm the policy pursued
under Presidents Mckinley and Roosevelt,
The Eagle" eXultantly announces that gov
ernment may change hands, but instructions
sent from Washington To the islands in the ( ar
East will undergo no modification" The New
Judge Parkers view as a departure from the
Democratic platforms of 1900 and 1904 and a
surrender # the whole 'anti-imperialiStic'
issue. It calls loudly therefore, for change OF
front in the candidates forthcoming letter OF
acceptance. The Springfield Republican fol-
lows a middle course. 1t ingenuouSly holds that
Judge Parker does not know the real value and
meaning Of the phrases he used. We hasten
To say" It tells a skeptical world. that Judge
Parker undoubtedly used the word self-gov
''ernment' as the equivalent OF independence
This is hardly a hattering tribute TO Judge Par
ker's intelligence: and that The Republican"
is not a little dissatisfied with its own logic is
shown by the appeal il makes for more definite
ness" on the candidates part 'the next time
he addresses the public"
As with the Philippine issue, so with the other
leading issues Of the campaign On the money
question, the trust question and the tariff
question Judge Parker, after declaring the st,
Louis platform admirable" broke openly with
its policies and conclusions. His acceptance
speech has left both Democratic editors and
orators in a quandary. Are they 10 stand with
him or with the party: Which is the real oracle
for this campaign, the leader or the platforms
Are they 10 denounCe protection as a robbery"
10 allay the suspicious OF the protected inter
eSts by declaring that the most the Democracy
n
ent schedules. made by a Democratic House Of
Representatives and a Republican Senate? Are
they to argue strenuously for new and stringent
antitrust legislation. or to soothe the public
with the assurance that "'other and different"
laws are no longer needed? Are they 10 eulo-
gize Judge Parker's belated conversion 70 the
gold standard, after having twice voted for
free silver coinage, as an act Of moral hero
ism" 10 bow 10 the conventions Judgment
that the less said about Democratic "heroism"
on the money question the better?
One weeks discussion OF Judge Parker's
speech has brought 10 light a radical difference
among his supporters the Philippine issue.
As the canvass continues vital differences on
other issues are certain to he developed. AS
keynote, the address Of August 10 has proved
failure. Nor can Judge Parker hope TO con-
struct in his forthcoming letter programme on
which the Democratic chorus can keep i'm key