The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1904-11-05
PARKER AND BUCHANAN,
Nr. CIeve!aud's Com parison Causes a
Nation. Wide Smile,

hr. Cleve!and's Com parisol Causes q
Nation Wide Smile.
When a ponderous person plants his
feet in shallow puddle there is likely
to be a mighty splash. This is precisely
what has happened as the result OF
President Cleveland'S discovery of the
/ slight resemblance" between the candi-
dates in 1896 and 1904.
The comparison of Roosevelt with Ere
mont because of their fancied resem-
blance as appealing to romantic senti-
ment and popular love for the spectacu-
lar, scarcely produced ripple on the
surface of political thought. But the
likening of Judge Parker TO James Buch-
anan as the model of what a mature
undramatic and experienced candidate
for the Presidency should be, has pro-
voked scornful laughter clear across the
continent.
If exPresident Cleveland had searched
the roll of prominent Americans for a
name less likely to arouse popular en-
thuSiasm than that of James Buchanan
he would have had to look among those
whose records were positively odious TO
find it. There was nothing actively vici
Gus or, what Mr.. Cleveland would call
"pernciously active about President
Buchanan. He was not what accord
ing to the sage of Buzzard's Bay. would
be called an Offensive partisan"
But in the vital emergency that low
cred above the Republic during his adj
ministration he was tried in the balance
and found wanting. Where man
worthy to be President would have
grasped the nettIe OF secession with the
firm hand of American patriotism and
crushed it in its incipiency, Mr.. Buch-
anan dallied with the question. He held
that Congress was not competent to deal
with the anti-slavery agitation, that it
was question for the individual States,
and that it was better for all parties,
including the slaves themselves, that it
should remain SO.
AS President he deferred to proslav
cry leaders and quailed before their
threats of secession. While he temper
lied the seceders perfected their plans.
Instead of meeting their threats with
the words and measures Of an Andrew
Jackson he took the illogical and impo-
tent position that, while the States had
n right 10 secede the nation, with a
little n, had no power to prevent them
doing so.
And this is the man of mature, nm
dramatic experience" who, in Mr.. C!cve-
lands judgment, is the prototype Of
Judge Parker lrresolute and ineffective
as Mr.. buchanan was we are not so sure
hut injustice is done him in comparing
him with Judge Parker. lie was certain
ly man of greater maturity than the
man from EsopuS. not only in years but
wit tn 81 f,'r urtI in kntN.i-
edge of men. Everything that expert
ence could teach of politics and state
craft Buchanan knew-Ouly the intrinsic
capacity to master them was lacking
Judge Parker has had absolutely none
Of the experience and training that seem
ed to fit Mr. Buchanan for the PreSi-
dency. In 1877, at the age Of twenty
five, he was elected surrogate OF Ulster
Couuty. New York. and under the shell
tcrimg wing of David r. Hill he has
vesetated in some judicial position ever
Since. That there is a certain parallel
ism between his weak. uHdramatic ana
vacillating utterances and those of NJ.
buchanan cannot he denied. Their views
upon the unconstitutiuuGltv Of the pow.
er Of self pcrpetuntion in TIE Union and
of the folly of an army and navy com
menslrate to the dignity and necessities
of great nation, are strikiugIy similar
and equally false, barren and reaction
airy.
Buchanan lived TO repent the ''undra-
matte" moderation that warmed SeurS.
sion into life. He supported LinrolH'S
administration and lent al. his influence
10 the prosecution OF the war. Eat i
does not appear that either Judge Parker
or Henry Gassaway Davis. who also
hanks back to the days oe buchanan.
follow his preccpt and example when.
IN the fierce fame Of civil war. he saw
a bright light that taught him that the
Union must be saved at all hazards
When he came to the conclusion that his
country was more to him than his own
Interpretation of its constitution. Judge
Parker and Mr.. Davis quit his company
and continue to steer their courses 10y the
chart that ran his administration on the
breakers.
The American people will never elect
counterfeit replica Of James Buchanan
to the Presidency. if they are warned in
time: and. thanks to cx-pre:.aont Clcve-
Land. they recognize that Julgc Parker
hiss nh "f the failugs and none of the
rcdeemIng qualities Of President Bach
alan.