Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1904-09-14

ocratic editors from all parts OF the
United States met at banquet at the
Waldorf Astoria Wednesday night, the
occasion being national conference OF
Democratic editors which was called at
the instance of the Democratic nation
al committee The toast list included
several of the best known Democratic
editors in the country, and all, OF them
responded to toasts on POLITICAL sub
jects.
sylvanus e. Johnson, washington
correspondent Of The Cincinnati En-
quirer, and former president of the
Gridiron Club, was the toast-master'
A large orchestra furnished music.
Editor Henry Watterson, amid great
applause, spoke in part as follows;
"In order to allay curiosity and
suppress conjecture-or words to that
effect-let me say in the beginning
that believe we can win this presi-
Dental battle. I will 90 even further
and say that, with anything like an
even showdown of powder and ball, it
will be our own fault If we lose it. The
two parties will go the finish fairly uni
ted. Each will poll very nearly, il not
quite, its noraml strength. The inde-
pendent vote, therefore, will decide the
result.
I'm the five debatable States OF New
York, New Jersey and Connecticut, in
the East, Indiana aud Wisconsin, in
the West, there are, on a rough esti-
mate, million of these Independent
voters. Half million of them are
Germans. The other half are mug
wumps and foaters. For the life OF
me I cannot see how any self-respect-
ing mugwump can vote for Roosevelt
the recreant civil service reformer,
nor how any intelligent German, much
as the President resembles the Kaiser,
can be willing to take even lottery
chance in a war with the mother coun-
try, precipitated upon the drop of hat,
to glorify the administration.
Parker, the jurist, means peace with
all nations, entangling alliance with
none. Roosevelt, the war lord, means
complications abroad and corruptions
at home, designed to prolong a single
party dynasty, and to perpetuate its Ia
vorites and agents in power. Every
economic question must pause before
an issue so transcendant.
I'm venturing to discuss it tonight,
though surrounded by members of my
own party and profession, may l not
take a suppositious standpoint, and
declare that, if were Republican
and over about the headwaters of Bit
ter creek, there are Democrats who in
sist that am not much better-I would
vote for Parker and Davis and against
Roosevelt and Fairbanks. Being only
a plain American, who loves his coun-
try and clings to its institutions, l
mean to do this anyhow. I shall do 1t
because it seems to me the upright
thing to do, the enlightened thing to
do, the prudent and honest thing to DO.
"In spite Of some excess OF feel
ing and mistakes of judgment, the
Democratic heart beats true to the
essential principles of the republic as It
was created by the sublime Declaration
and ordained by our Incompatible con-
stitution. In spite of their intelligence
and energy, the Republican leaders are
losing sight of their fidelity to botn.
Even the errcrs of the Democrats lean
to virtues side, whilst the very virtues
of the Republicans are beginning to be
sickled Ger with the pale cast OF col.
ruption and absolutism. This is not be-
cause the Democrats are Democrats, OF
the Republicans are Republicans. The
label has little to do with it. 1t is
the nature of long dominancy
tends first to corruption. and then,
threatened with exposure, to tyranny.
"The old Democratic party came into
being, like the Republican party as the
friend of man; it grew SO strong, by
prolonged domination, that it was able
to Nke it's exit from power, the signal
for long, bloody and senseless war.
would take no chance Of repetition OF
this evil history. I would have a
change Of parties, though only for the
sake of the change. Little as the two
administrations Of Grover Cleveland
effected, either in the statuary laws
or in the general policy, they were
beneicient interludes to the unbrldled
ambition and the grasping inclina-
tions of the Republicans. They did
bring the Republican leaders to a
realizing sense OF their public obliga-
tions. They did serve notice even upon
the saints that they do not possess the
earth. Such will be the affect, if none
other, of the election of Parker and
Davis, and the defeat of Roosevelt and
Fairbanks"
Mr.. Watterson spoke at length upon
the issues of the campaign. Much en-
-