Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1904-09-01
The shadows murmur,
But the depths are dumb.

majority of the people was his own electro
flying message wired to the st. Louis Con-
yention announcing his firm and irrevoc-
able adherence to the gold standarda
message which thrilled the country with
admiration, as the act of man and
sagacous statesman. But his speech on
accepting the nomination, though calm
and devoid of everything ornamental or
sensational, was fitting and logical sequel
to his splendid gold standard telegram.
Delivered with transparent sincerity, this
utterance has wildly outlined the great
issues of the campaign in 30 uncertain
phrase and so LUMINOSITY that every
American can by its aid, as in the light of
a sunbeam, determine under what political
banner he should enlist. Judge Parker's
critics strongly call his speech tame. Every
speech of the kind must be more or less
labored and tame But the responses that
have now come up from every part Of the
made favorable and profound impression
which cannot be effaced by any army Of
orators and spellbinders.
This fact, so well attested by the current
press reports, argues an early increase of
activity and a most spirited effort to press
home upon all the people the strong points
presented in the Esopus speech. The time
was ripe for Judge Parker's mastery plea
for return from the dangerous paths of
Capitalization, militarism and autocratic
imperialism to the honored and historic
principles Of constitutional government
established by the Fathers of the Republic
and jealousy guarded by all the great
statesmen of America until comparatively
recent years. If in an evil hour the
country hasdeparted from these principles,
it is only a temporary alteration, from
which, if it is to continue the worlds
chief exponent of civil liberty and pro-
gress, it must necessarily hasten to retrace
its steps. In his protests against the sub
stitution at Washington Of personal for
constitutional government the Democratic
nominee demonstrates in effect that if the
powers that hold the reins Of government
fail to obey the organic law of the land,
either in its letter or spirit, their example
inevitably tends to create mobocracy and a
reign of lawlessness throughout the country,
by which every public and private interest
is imperiled.
Besides commencing himself to all think
ing people for his timely deliverance upon
this burning question of the hour, Judge
Parker has made an exceedingly effective
appeal to the people for iudicious reform
of our existing barbarous tariff enormities
and excrescents for an honest execution of
existing laws against trade restraining
Trusts and the suppression Of every form Of
organized despotism or lawlessness and for
a sound colonial policy, which will not con-
tradict the fundamental principles of our
Government and put to shame our boast of
carrying free Institutions to every land oyer
which the American flag flies. Coming
from some men, these utberances might be
challenged as the artful and ingenious pleas
Of an 'insincere and Enthusiastically candidate
for the highest Office within the gift of any
nation. But emanating from man who
has given magnificent proofs that he means
what he says and says what he means and
that if elected he will fearlessly carry out
his pledges, the words of the Esopus speech
have everywhere warmed the American
heart and prepared it to give Judge Parker
the most attentive and responsive hearing.
The campaign had been marked by gen.
eral apathy until he spoke. No wonder.
For two years the advocates.of Mr.. Roose-
welt have been most strenuously pressing
his claims and candidacy, until the people
were tired out with their stale reiterations.
Now the time has come for calm yet ear
nest presentation Of the real issues in the
white light of unbiased reason and of tenn
perate, honest controversy, which will
illuminate the public mind Every intel
ligent patriot, irrespective of party, will
rejoice that in Judge Parker's candidacy
the country is to be felicitated by the
assurance of safe and sane leader, and
that, in any case, we shall have for the next
four years at least a strong opposition
that indispensable bulwark Of all good gov
eminent.
Among the SALIENT features Of the action
OF the Parker Constitutional Club Of New
York, organized yesterday, under very
high auspices many of whose members were
supporters Of Mckinley, but are now
accent1ating the demand for "Constitu-
tionalism versus Imperialism. This is
but one Of many signs Of rising tide Of
popular enthusiasm for return to the his
toric principles and traditions which lie
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