The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1904-10-05
THE NEWS At WASHINGTON.
Politics and Other Matters Gather
ed by Our Regular correspon-
dent.

It cannot be denied that there is
less smoke in the political sky than
when I wrote yon last. The difference
between the parties is more obvious
and better defined. Judge Parker's
letter of acceptance has come into the
solution and precipitated the con-
crete issues, tending to clarity the
whole discussion. It has Induced
something like activity where before
was an Indifference that seemed ike
paralysis, and it has given the cue to
an army of stump orators who had not
quite decided what to say next.
Judge Parker's silence caused a tre-
mendous clamor in all Republican
circles prior TO bis acceptance, but now
that he has spoken and fractured that
silence all to pieces, the clamor is
ten times greater. It seems difficult
to satisfy them.g
Ex-senator Towne says perhaps
the sharpest point, if not the most
effective utterance in the Judges let
ter is his defiant acceptance of Roose-
velt's challenge On the pension order.
Would you dare to revoke that
order?n Asked the President. eyes,
I would instantly replied the Judge,
and depend upon Congress to pass
the requisite laws, instead Of issuing
them from the White House, The
beauty of this pugnacious retort Is
that it does not admit Of any answer
whatever.
Another sentence which is being
circulated in display type from the
Congressional headquarters is tina
which afhrms that "The traditional
policy of the country, as formulated
by its first president, condemns the
doctrine that great state. by reason
Of its strength. may rightfullly appro.
pirate the sovereignty or territory OF
a small state on account of its weak
ness. We claim no rights and will
assume no functions, save those OF a
friend and of an ally and defender
against European aggression. The
civil war in Uruguay is at an end,
and Honduras and Guatemala have
assured Uncle Sam that they regard
him only as q generous and benign
protector, but Judge Parker's words
will do more. to strengthen their con-
fiderce than President Roosevelt's
deeds.
Come, O, my Muse! aud don't re-
fuse to give your views about the
news:
"I'm virtue embodied" the Rough
Rider said it,
seTbe southern republics need not
be afraid.
If they're peaceful and always keep
cash to their credit
They'll get my distinguished protec-
tion and aid.
FL never insult them, or fire on
their banners,
Or fight them, or gobble them up, if
they're good:
That is, If they initiate Us IN their
manners
And always behave as think that
they should.
I,ll never send down there a bomb
or bullet
Or answer them back with a jibe or a
taunt;
A treaty is sacred-I'll never annul
it
Or rob them unless they have some
thing we want. -
Republicans hereaway are trying to
make something of Rocseyelt's publ
cation of the letter from Governor
Wright of the Philippines saying that
ssa dangerous ferment'' is caused in
the islands by the agitation of their
independence by the Democratic par
ty. They call attention to tn fact
that Wright used to be a Democrat, as
if that settled the question. 1t does
not. Taft used to be an anti-imperi-
alist, and were not Lonsgtreet and
Mosby very active Democrats until
they were appointed to Office and kept
in Office by the Republican party, and
did they ever thereafter swerve from
their allegiance to it? Wright used to
be Democrat till Republican presi-
dent gave him $50, 900 Office: but no
man is Democrat who holds that the
Declaration. Of independence is a
farce, and chat governments do not
derive their just powers from the con-
sent of the governed. By the way it
is now undertood that Wright's proc
lamation was sent by cable to the Pres
ident, which sufficiently indicates its
animus and PURPOSE.
Justice Phelps of Massachusetts, has
apologized to the British Functionary
Quincy for arresting him for driving
his automobile too fast Information
al law certainly puts the Justice tech
nically in the wrong. but common
sense justi6es him. Let us wait and
see what the English will do with
Gurney. He certainly ought to be
punished by somebody, for if 1t is es
tablished that foreign ministers
factotom can commit any crime and
be exempt from punishment, it may
become more fashionable for Ameri-
cans to go armed.
Your correspondent called this
morning on Mr.. James Langmau, the
confidential adviser of the Sultan OF
Morocco and Premier of the Empire,
who is in town this week. 1t was this
-: Il