Missouri Valley times. [volume] (Missouri Valley, Iowa) 1874-1931, 1904-09-29
PARKER'S LETTER OF
ACCEPTANCE ISSUED
Discusses Issues Which Were
Not Presented in Speech
to Convention.
ACCEPTS ONE CHALLENGE
Says in Reply to Roosevelt That He
viii Revoke Famous Pension
Order, Then Help Make En-
Iareed Pensions Legal.

4
!, To tho Honorable Champ Clark and
| Others Committee etc Gentlemen:
In response to your committee, at the
formal notification proceedings. referred
to some matters not mentioned in this let
ter. l desire that these be considered as
Incorporated herein, and regret that lack
of space prevents specific reference TO
them ali I wish here. however, again to
refer TO my views there expressed as to
the gold standard to declare again my
unqualified belief in said standard, and to
I express my appreciation of the action OF
the convention in reply to my communica-
ton upon that subject.
Grave public questions arc pressing for
decision. The democratic party appeals
TO the pconlc with confidence that its po-
sition on these questions will be accepted
and Endorsed at the polls. While the is
sues Involved are numerous. some stand
forth pre-cmincn, in the public mind.
Among these are tariff reform. Imperial
ism economical administration and hon
csty in the public service shall briefly
consider these and some others within the
I necessarily prescribed limits of this letter.
imperialism.
While pr"-cntcd my views at the noti-
fcation proceedings concerning this vital
issEe, the oNcrshadowing Importance OF
this question impcis me to refer to II
again. The issue is cftentimcs referred to
az Consthutonalism vs.. Imperialism:
IT we would r,tain our liberties and con-
stitu,ional rights unmpaircd we cannot
permit or tolerate. Mt any time or for amy
purpose, the arrosation of unconstitn-.
tiona powers ly the executive branch of
our government Nc should be oyer mind
H.. Of the words OF Webster Liberty Is
ol> 10 he preserved by maintaining con-
stitHtiond restraints and inst divisions
OF political powers.
Already the national government has
becania centralized D2Nnnd amy point con-
tcn!,lat,.,. or imagined by the Trainers OF
III" constitution. How tremendously all
this has added to the power OF the prest-
dent 1t has developed from year to year
until il almost equals that of many MON
archs. While the growth of our conn
Try and thc magnitude of interstate inter
ests may seem TO furnish a plausible rra-
son for this Capitalization of power. yet
reason why the executive should not be
permitted to cneroach upon the other de-
partments OF the government and assume
legislative op other powers. not expressly
conferred b., the constellation
The magnitude OF the country and It's
diversity Of Interests and reputation would mo
executive unmndful of constitutional linn
Itations aud fired with the lust of power,
to so Car into the usurpat ton of authority
mud The ACKNOWLEDGEMENT of personal power
before the situation could he fully appre-
Glazed or the people be aroused.
The issue of Imperialism which has been
thru.t nnon the country involves deci-
,ion whether the law of the land or the
rule o. Individual caprice shall govern.
The priaciple of imperialism may. rise TO
brilliant startling. dashing results. but
Tire principle of democracy holds In check
the brilliant executive and subjects him
to the sober, conservative control of the
people
Tho people of the United States stand
at the parting of the ways. Shall we fol-
low the footsteps of our fathers along the
paths of peace, prosperity, and content
the constitution which they framed for us.
or shall we go along other and untricd
paths. hitherto Stunned by all. following
blndly now ideals. which, though appeal
Ing with briliancy TO the imagination and
ambition. may prove will-o'the- wisp.
leading us into difficulties from which it
may he impossible to cNtricate ourselves
without lasting injury to our national
character and institutions?
The Tariff and Trusts.
Tariff reform Is one of the cardinal prn-
ciplcs of the democratic faith, and the ne
cessty for ~ Was never greater than at
the present time il should be undertaken
at once IN tho interest of all our people.
The Dinsl"y tariff is excessive. In many
of Its rates and, as to them at least, UNI
Justly and opprcssively burdens the people.
1t secures to domestic manufacturers,
sinsly or in combination, the privilege of
eNacting excessive prices at home and
prices far above the level of saief made
regularly by them abroad with profit. thus
giving y bounty to foreigners at the eX
pcnse of our own people. Its unjust taxa
tion burdens the people generally. forcing
them to pay excessive prices for food. fuel.
clothing and other neccssarirS of life II
levics duties on many articles not normally
which arc made extensively at homo. for
which the most extreme protectionist
would hardly justify protective taxes, and
which In large amounts are exported. Such
duties have hccn and will continue to be
q direct incentive tn the formation of huge
Industrial combinations which. secure
from foreign competition. are enabled to
s,itic domestic competition and practically
to monopolize the home market.
1t contains many duties imposed for tho
express purpose only, as. was openly avow
means of reciprocal trade treaties which
the republican administration, implicitly
at least. promised to negotiate. Having,
on this promise. secured the increased du-
ties. tho republican party leaders, spurred
on by protected interests defeated the
treaties negotiated by the executive. and
fit of these duties which the people never
intended they should have. and to which
they have no moral right
Even now tho argument most frequently
urged in behalf of the Dinglcy tariff, and
against tariff reform generally. is the ne
cessity of caring for our infant industries.
dred years of lusty growth. are looming
up as industrial giants. In their case. at
least. the Dingiey tariff Invites combina-
ton and monopoly, and gives justification
mother of trusts.
For the above mentioned reasons, among
many others, the people demand reform
of these abuses. and such reform demands
and should receive immediate attention.
Differences in Taxation Views.
The two leading parties have always diff
fered as to the principle of customs taxa
tion Our party has always advanced the
theory that the object Is &c raising of
revenue for support of the government
whatever other results may incidentally
flow therefrom Tho republican party, on
the. other hand. contends that customs
duties SHOULD be levied primarily for pro-
lection. so-called, with revenue as the
subordinate purpose; thus using the power
of taxation to build up the business and
property of the few at the expense of the
many.
This. difference of principle still sub
sists, but our party appreciates that the
long continued policy of the country, as
manifested In its statutes, makes 1t neces-
sary that tariff reform should he pru-
scientific principles, to the end that there
should not be an immediate revolution in
existing conditions.
In the words of our platform, we de-
mand "a revision and a gradual reduction
of the tariff by the friends of the masses,
and for the common veal and not by the
! determinations.
In response to your committee, i pointed
out the method under which gradual re-
plished without disturbing business con-
| ditions. desire again to express the opin-
ion that b this method should be followed.
! pot admit in their platform that the Ding
ley tariff needs the slightest alteration,
are likely to retain majority of the fed
oral senate throughout the next presiden-
tal term. and could, therefore, If they
ehosee, block every attempt at legislative
Relief. But Ii should be remembered that
1 iisionists and believe 1t will shrink from
| tefying the popular will expressed unmis-