The Delta independent., 1904-09-23
THE 0NE-TeRM PL.EDGE {
IMPORTANT DECLARATION BY
CANDIDATE OF DEMOCRACY.
Attempt by Alton B. Parker to Give
Points to Washington and Lincoln
1t IL the People Who Decide the Term
Question.

In his speech of acceptance, Alton b.
Parker, the Democratic candidate for the
presidency, declined in advance n second
nomination for that once, and explained
himself by saying: II am fully persuaded
no incumbent of that office should ever
be placed in situation of possible temp
tation to consider what the effect OF ac-
ton taken by him in IN administrative
matter OF great Importance might nave
upon his political fortunes. Questions or
momentous consequence to all OF the peo-
pie have been In the past. and will be in
the future. presented to the President FOR
determination, and in approaching their
consideration. as well as in weighing the
facts and the arguments bearing upon
them. he should be unembarrassed by any
possible thought of the influence his de-
cision may have upon anything Whatever
that may affect him personally.
Coming as it does from man who is
so unfamiliar with governmental meth
ods, and who is SO little acquainted with
the machinery of administration, who has
never held civil Office except on the
bench, who has never been in the Legis-
lnture or in Congress. and who has Kept
himself far removed from the people, this
declaration of Judge Parker is strange
one. He had a perfect right to say, II
he wished to, that he would not be
candidate for reelection, If chosen TINS
year, but it was unfair, unwise, and i'm
pertinent of him thus to read n lesson to
the great men of the United States who
have lived and died before him, and who
have left behind them great names which
have been in no wise dimmed by the fact
that they were repeatedly candidates .or
the suffrages OF their fellow-citizens, and
that they were repeatedly honored by re-
election.
Washington, Lincoln. Grant. Cleveland
and Mckinley were all candidates for
reelection, and no one OF them, 1t may
sufely be said, ever allowed his candi'
dacy to influence his action in any i'm
portant matter brought to him for his de-
cision. 1t is but little short OF an Insult
for this mere tyro in government to IN
sinuate that the great men who nave
wortlily held the office OF President, To
which he aspircs, have permitted them
selves to be Influenced in their action by
their desire for reelection.
What would have happened to this
country in the trying times of 1851 II
Abraham Lincoln, who honestly ana
properly desired II reelection. had felt
to- choose him President again, for fear
they might think his desire Of election
Influenced him in controlling the armies
in the field which he had put there to
preserve the republic and not to AFFECT
his own political fortunes:
Does Judge Parker believe that in the
early days OF the foundation OF the re-
public, George Washington. who had Civ
ell his life and his property to his coun'
try, could have been swcryed from his
belief in the right or wrong OF any hc'
ton by the desire TO be elected Presi
dent again?
Can anyone believe that William Me
Kinlcy, resting under the laurels SO fresh
ly placed upon him by the Spanish war
and secure in the unbognded affection oi
| the people OF every State, would have
permitted himself to sign n bad law oil
to refrain from signing good one. mere
ly because of some effect il might hav'
| upon his chances for re-clcctiont
The American people know only to-
well that any man who is fit to be Presi
dent can he trusted to perform the dutiei
| of that high office without disgracini
| himself by permitting his personal nmhi
ton to influence his public acts. Th'
record OF the American presidency IL FREE
\ from such disgrace. and it ~ only chari
table to suppose that this declaration %
Judge Parker rejecting ns IL does upo'
| the reputation of the greatest men OF tn
republic, was merely the careless theor!
OF man who has never sufficient!
studied the American system of govern
ment, and who In his retirement Is su
premely ignorant OF the political histor,
| OF his own country.