New-York tribune., 1904-09-26
JUICE PARKER'S LETTER.

| JUICE PARKERS LETTER
Judge Parker's letter Of acceptance goes far
toward demolishing his reputation as a great
! jurist capable of sustained logical thought. 1t
is an assemblage Of disjointed paragraphs, seem
ingly produced without any plan Of arrange
ment without any clearcut conception of the
problems discussed, and without any definite
policy to expound, Judge Parker traverses the
familiar ground Of bis earlier speech and OF
the Democratic editorials without saying any
thing new or noteworthy. except In one par
/ ticular, of which we shall speak presently.
The Democratic candidate twists the term
/ imperialism" from the meaning which It has
had in American public discussion for the last
six years, and attempts to frighten the timid
with another boyle bearing that label. "Im-
| perialism" has hitherto meant the rule Of de-
! pendent territory not incorporated into our do
mestic system. Judge Parker builds a man OF
straw out OF an assumed "arrogation of uncon-
''stitutional powers by the executive branch Of
''the government" and calls that imperialism"
Having assumed without proof that his oppo-
nent stands for individual caprice" as against
"the law Of the land" he utters some quite un-
exceptonable platitudes on the subject OF law
and peace. 1t is the old trick denounced by
Coke: First accuse, and then make your accu-
saton the ground of irrevocable condemnation"
On the strength Of mere epithets applied to the
in a verdict of guilty and moralizes in his high
judicial manner; but as to any specific instances
OF unconstitutional action he has nothing more
to say than the ridiculous persons OF the Con-
! stitution Club.
The letter declares for the ultimate indepen-
dence Of the Philippines and the immediate
promise Of independence. The Philippine discus
sion is an excellent example OF Judge Parker's
loose thinking. A few weeks ago he wrote to
Nv lhVarra 4IoT %Ho-o
as self-government for people while another
nation may in any degree whatever control their
action" and then fatty contradicted himself by
declaring for such independence for the Fill
pinos as we have already given the Cubans, be-
Ing evidently ignorant Of what everybody else
has known for two years-that Cuba Is subject
to the control Of the United States in several
most important particulars. With the assistance
or The Tribune he has since learned something
and would now be satisfied to give the Filipinos
a strictly limited sovereignty. His utterances on
this subject also illustrate his habit of substtut-
ing epithet for argument. He talks about "the
toleration of tyranny over others as one of the
evils OF governing the Philippines permanently
while conceding the necessity OF our rule until
We can fit them for self-government Yet Judge
| Parker knows that our rule there is not
tyranny" He knows that it is benefcent and
progressive and he knows that If he had the
| power he would continue it as the fitting prepa-
ration for the ultimate independence he adyo-
Gates OD the tariff Judge Parker says nothing
that he did not say in effect in his speech of
acceptance, which the tariff revisers among his
own supporters found so timid and uninspiring
he is Tor lower duties, but not too low duties
and, anyhow, a Republican Senate Iyould see
that no harm was done. IT. however, the Dem
ocrats could win all the States they claim they
might nave free field to run amuck" in spite
OF Judge Parkers soothing assurances
oh the Issue of Republican extravaganza
Judge Parker is in general not responsive.
President Roosevelt challenged him TO sav what
he would cut off-would ii be pensions. the navy
irrigation, rural free delivery or what? He still
| takes refuge In generalities saying he will
make reduction in "the civil, military ond
naval establishments" and repeats the old talk
OF deficit based on trick bookkeepinr which
Ignores the repeal of taxes and the Panama
Canal payment. AS be takes pains TO speak of
the Panama payment in discussing the aggre-
gate expenditures. his failure TO take IL into ac-
count elsewhere after making pretended show
Of fairness is not entirely creditable.
On pensions Judge Parker does become sne
cihc, and astounding. After insinuating that
! the Presidents pension order, with it's trilinc
addition to the pension expenditures. was a hid
for votes, and promising, If elected. to revoke
It, Judge Parker proceeds to make a higher bid.
saying: That being done, will contribute my
effort toward the enactment of a law to be
passed by both houses Of Congress and ap-
proved by the Executive that will give an age
pension, without reference to disability, to the
surviving heroes OF the Civil War" Thus he
promises what is practically service pen
| sion, thing which has been violently op-
! posed by the leaders and editors of his own
party for years. and, indeed, advocated by few
persons outside of radical Grand Army circles.
1t is not too much TO say that this bid for votes
is positively indecent What viii be said of 1t
by Judge Parker's friends who have long been
complaining Of excessive pension expenditures?
And what, in the face Of it, are we to think
OF Judge Parkers pose Of austere superiority
TO the petty arts of the politician and Of deep
personal concern for economy and retrench-
ment?