The Farmington times and herald. (Farmington, St. Francois Co., Mo.) 1902-1905, 1904-09-23

ranks and in still later, although
less formal utterance dude Park
er's letter to Mr.. Milburn) the self
government promise was recantet
and independence at some future
time was promised in its place
They have occupied three entirel,
different positions within fifty days
Which is the promise they reall!
intend to keepH"
1t is difficult to conceive OF {
public man, occupying Mr.. Roose'
velt's position, making such plair
misrepresentation OF an opponent
attitude.
Bear in mind that Mr.. Roosevelt
says that the language Of the Dem
ocratic platform is "A little OBJ
scure," also that Judge Parker de
liberately substituted the term
self government for "independ'
ence," charging that the words
were so used in order that Judge
Parker might convey the impres
sion that III the event of his elec e
ton the Roosevelt policy would be
his policy, Also that because of
trouble in their own (the Demo
Gratis ranks, Judge Parker recaut-
ed the selfgovernment promise aud
substituted independence. " Also
that the Democratic party and its
candidate have occupied three en-.
tirely different positions within
fifty days. "
One glance at the record will
convict Mr.. Roosevelt of marked
lack of candor in dealing with his
opponents position on this ques.
ton.
The language of the Democratic
platform on this subject is not at
all obscure. 1t plainly denounces
the policy of Imperialism and in
sists that we should do for the
Filipinos what we have already
done for the Cubans,' and it adds
that 1T is our duty to make that
promise now and upon suitable
guarantees of protection to citizens
of our own and other countries
resident there at the time of our
withdrawal, set the Filipino people
upon their own feet and free and
Independent to work ont their own
destiny"
In his speech of acceptance Judge
Parker said that the admirable
platform" adopted by the Demo.
cratic convention clearly states
the principles which were condensed
in the first inaugural address of
President jefferson and points out
with force and directness the course
to be pursued through their proper
application III order to insure need
ed reforms in both Legislative and
administive departments of the
government" lie pointed out that
that platform guaranteed the en-
forcement, for the benefit of all of
mans inalienabIe rights. among
which, as said in the Declaration Of
Independence, are life, liberty
and the pursuit of happiness. 4"
He said it was difficult to under
stand how any citizen of the Unit
ed States, much less a descendant
of revolutionary stock can tolerate
the thought Of permanently deny
ing the right of self government
to the Filiplnos. " He admitted
that we are not at liberty to disre =
gard the responsibility we have in
the Philippines, but he added that
that responsibility will be best sub
served by preparing the islanders
AS rapidly as possible for self. gov
erument, giving them the assurance
that it will come as soon as they
are reasosably prepared for it,
In his letter to Mr.. Milburn,
Judge Parker did not change his
position. He simply cleared away
all doubt thai might have been en-
tertained concerning his position
and so he said:
You are entirely right in assum.
ing that as ! EMPLOYED the phrase,
self government, it was intended
to be identical with independence,
political and territorial. After
noting the criticism referred to by
you, | am still unable to under
stand how it can be said that peo-
pie enjoy self government while
another nation may in any degree
whatever control their action. But
to take away all possible opportuni.
ty for conjecture, it shall be made
clear in the letter of acceptance
that | am in hearty accord with
that plank in the Democratic plat
form which advocates treating the
Filipinos precisely as we did the
Cubans; and ] also favor making
the promise to them now to take
such action as soon as it can pru'
IDENTIFY be DONE