Clarke courier. [volume] (Berryville, Va.) 1869-1997, 1904-08-24
PARKER'S PLATFORM
Democratic Candidates Speech
Accepting Nomination.
REPEATS GOLD DECLARATION

Denounees Executive Usurpation.
Touches on Colorado Labor War
Asserts Necessity Of Tariff Revision.
Regulation of Trusts-OpposeS Mill
tarism and Imperialism.
EsOpus. y. Y, Aug. 1O-The speech
Of acceptance OF Alton Brooks Parker
in reply 10 the committee which mott
fed him Of his nomination for the
presidency 10y the Democratic party is
as follows:
Mr.. Chairman and Gentlemen OF the Com
have resigned the office Of chief judge
OF the court OF appeals Of this state in or
der that 1 may accept the responsibility
that the great convention YOU gS;l:~-1it
has put upon me without possible preiu-
dice TO the court TO which ] had the hon
or 10 belong or 20 the eminent members
OF the judiciary OF this state. OF whom /
may now say as a private citizen I am
Justly proud.
At the very threshold OF this response
and before dealing with other subjects
i must. IN justice 10 myself and 70 re
heve my sense OF gratitude. express my
profound appreciation OF the confidence
reposed in me 10y the convention. After
nominating mo and subsequently, receiv-
gardcd the gold standard as firmly and
irrevocably established. a matter concern
ing which felt 81 incumbent upon me 10
make known my attitude SO that here
after no man could justly say that his
support had been secured through indi-
rcction or mistake. the convention reitcr-
oted its determination that ! should he
the standard bearer Of the party in the
present contest. This mark OF trust and
confidence ! shall ever esteem as the high
est honor that could be conferred upon
mean honor that. whatever may be the
tate OF the campaign. the future can in
no degree lessen or impair
The admirable platform upon which
the party appeals to the country for its
confidence and support clearly states the
principles which were so well condensed
In the first inaugural address Of Presi-
dent Jefferson and points out with force
and directness the course 10 be pursued
through their proper application ia order
10 insure needed reforms In both the lcgis-
latve and administrative departments OF
the government. While unhesitating in
It's promise 10 correct abuses and 10 right
wrongs wherever they appear or however
caused; 10 investigate the several admin
istrative departments OF the government,
the conduct Of whose officials has Gre
ated scandals. and 10 punish those who
have been guilty OF breach OF their
trust; 20 oppose the granting OF special
privileges 10y which the few may profit at
the expense OF the many: 10 practice
economy in the expenditure OF the mon
eys or the people and 10 that end TO re-
turn once more TO the methods OF the
founders OF the republic by observing in
disbursing the public funds the care and
caution a prudent individual observes
with respect TO his own. still the spirit OF
the platform assures conservative instead
Of rash action the protection OF the inno-
cent as well as the punishment OF the
guilty; the encouragement OF industry
economy and thrift: the protection OF
property and a guarantee OF the enforce
ment for the benefit OF all OF mans in
ahenable rights. among which, as said in
the Declaration Of Independence. are life
liberty and the pursuit OF happiness -
Liberty. as understood in this country
means not only. the right OF freedom from
actual servitude, Imprisonment or re-
straint, but the right Of one TO use his
faculties in all lawful ways. TO live and
work where he will and 10 pursue any
lawful trade or business These essen
tial rights Of life. liberty and property
are not only guaranteed TO the citizen
Dy the constitution Of each OF the sew
eral states. but the states are by the
fourteenth amendment TO the constitu-
ton OF the United States forbidden to
deprive any person OF any one OF them
without due process OF law.
occasionally, by reason of unnecessary
OF impatient agitation for reforms or be-
cause the limitations placed upon the de-
partments of government ny the consti-
tuition are disregarded by officials desir-
ing to accomplish that which 10 them
seems good. whether the power exists in
them or not IL becomes desirable to call
attention TO the fact that the people in
whom all power resides. have seen fit
through the medium of the constitution
10 limit the governmental powers con-
Ierred and TO say to departments created
Dy II. Thus far shalt thou go and no
Iarther-' To secure the ends sought the
people have by the constitution separat-
ed ana distributed among the three de-
partments OF gOvernment-the executive
legislative and judicial-certain powers
and II IS the duty Of those administering,
each department so 10 act as TO preserve
rather than 10 destroy the potency Of
the coordinate branches Of the govern
ment and thus secure the exercise OF all
the powers conferred by the people.
Thomas Jefferson, in a letter TO William
I. Jarvis touching the perpetuity Of our
institutions. written many years after he
had retired to private life said IF the
three powers OF our government maintain
their mutual independence Of each other
IL may last long. but not so If either can
assume the authority of the other" II
must be confessed that in the course Of
our history executives have employed
powers not belonging to them. Statutes
nave been passed that were expressly for
bidden by the constitution. and statutes
nave been set aside as unconstitutional
when IL was difficult TO point out the pro-
Visions said TO be offended against in
their enactment All this has been done
with good purpose no doubt but in
disregard nevertheless or the fact that
ours IS a government Of laws. not OF men.
deriving its lust powers from the consent
or the governed" II we would have our
government continue during the ages 10
come for the benefit OF those who shall
succeed as We must ever be on our guard
against the danger 81 usurpation OF that
authority which resides in the whole peo-
pie. whether the usurpation be by off,
Gals representing one OF the three great
departments OF government or by a body
OF men acting without commission from
the people.
Impatience OF the restraints or law as
well as OF its delays r. becoming more