The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1904-07-19
The .Heroism of Parker.

The democratic leaders are busy
these days saying complimentary
things of Judge Parker. They refer
to him as a man of action, of cour-
age, of high integrity and Of such
strength of character as ought to
command general admiration and re-
spect, and as fit him to fill the ex-
allied office of president.
2 Has it ever occurred to the public
that all this high praise Is based on
the telegram sent by Judge Parker
to the ST. Louis convention, and that
behind that telegram there is abso-
Iutely no known basis for it? For
months he was the great unknown
and prominent democrats in all parts
of the lapd were insistent in their
demands that he say something, or
do something that would give q clue
to his principles and his qualifications.
Theme was no response to these de-
mandS. The nomination was con-
ferred while he was still unknown,
and the convention was almost ready
to adjourn before he saw fit to break
the long silence.
There is much in the Parker tele-
gram to commend, but it must be
apparent that Judge Parker's reputa-
ton is a thing of recent growth, and
. that his supporters are taking much
for granted in imputing to him heroic
traits of character.
1t seems rather strange that they
should glorify In him those things
which they condemn in President
Roosevelt. Every word Of praise of
Parker that one now hears sums up
some phase of the presidents we'll
established reputation. He is a man
of action, of courage, Of high integ-
srity and of great strength of charac-
ter. He has commanded, and con-
tinues to command, general admira-
ton and respect, and his record of
three years as chief magistrate has
established his ability to administer
the duties of that position ably and
In harmony with the nations highest
ideals.
In the case Of Judge Parker much
is taken for granted. Among his adj
mirers the wish is father to the
thought, and on the slender founda-
ton of a single telegram they are
proceeding to build character which
may or may not be veracious. These
builders however, whether conscious
ly or not, are following a design that
has been Endorsed by the people. The
president may congratulate himself
because of this imitation, which is
again, as always, the sincerest flat
terry. The democrats don't know
what their candidate is. They have
had single word from him, and
straightway they vociferate that he
Is just such man as the man whom
he seeks to displace. In the one case
there is SO much assumption as to
cause the careful man to hesitate;
on the other, a many-sided character
of wonderful strength and a mind OF
wonderful grasp, have given the name
Z Of Roosevelt a glory which can never
be taken away.
The best that has been said o.
Judge Parker is that he promises te
develop some of the same character
istics which the people admire ii
Roosevelt
which do the people prefer? A
man who has been put to severe test.
and has met them triumphantly we'll
f or man who has had pothing to tr,
him out, and whose sole claims tt
support thus far are a single telegram
4 and the enthusiastic and perhaps ex
aggerated praise of partizan admirers
Folk is rendering much more impor
fant public service by accepting the neHli
nation for governor Of Missouri than h
could have rendered by being a. candidat
for vice president. 1t is his program
when elected governor to contine tn
Campaign against official corruptio