The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1904-07-15

ulncOIn, Men, July g."
today gave out the following state
nlent-
Il shall vote for Parker and Davis,
the nominees of the Democratic nation
al convention and shall do so for the
following reasons:
First, because the Democratic ticket
stands for opposition to Imperialism,
while the Republican ticket stands for
an fmperialistic policy. On this ques-
ton, which was the paramount issue in
1900, and which must remain an impor-
tant issue so long as an attempt is
made to hold Ionic under the Amer
lean f1ag-on his issue, the convention
was unanimous, the platform emphatic,
and I have no doubt that the candidate
wIiI carry cut the platform.
'TSecond-Mr. Roosevelt is injecting
the race issue into American politics
and this ISSUE, if it becomes national,
will make it impossible to consider
economic questions that demand solu-
ton. The election of the Democratic
ticket will put a quietus upon this at
tempt and permit the race question to
work itself out without the bitterness
which Mr.. Roosevelt's conduct has en-
gendered.
''Thlrd-Mr. Roosevelt stands for the
spirit of war. His friends represent
him as a man of blood and iron. He
believes in strenuousness and inculcates
a love for warlike things. The Demo-
cratic ticket stanas for peace, for reason
and for arbitration, rather than for
force, conquest and bluster.
'-FOurth-The Democratic platform
declares in favor of the reduction of
the standing army, and as this plank
was unanimously adopted there is rea-
son to believe that Democratic success
on this subject would bring some ad-
vantage to the people"
For these four reasons 1 feel justified
in supporting the ticket, but / will not
m~isrepresent the situation or appeal for
votes for the ticket on false grounds.
A Democratic victory will mean very
little, if any rogress in economic ques-
tions, SO long as the party is under the
control of the Wall street element.
'rOn the money question, Mr.. Parker is
as thoroughly committed to the side Of
the financiers as Mr.. Roosevelt. If he
does not go as far as the Republicans
would in retiring silver dollars, in es-
tablshing branch banks, in e%nlarging
the powers of the national banks, and
in the substitution of an asset curren-
cv for the present currency, it will be
because he Is restrained by the Demo-
Gratis in the Housee and Senate. Moth
ing good can be expected OF him on
the money question.
On the trust question the Democratic
platform is very much peter Inah
.<epublican platform, but the nomlna-
ton of Judge Parker virtually nullnles
the antitrust plank. Unless IN ms
letter Of acceptance he commits hlmselt
to attempt antitrust legislation ".e
need not expect him to pursue a r,,1ffer-
ent course from that pursued. py Presi-
lent Roosevelt.
80 far as the rabor questions are
concerned We must await Judge Par
kers lert-er before we shall know
Whether the laboringman has anything
to expect from his election. The labor
plank, as prepared by Judge Parker's
friends on the Subcommittee was q
straddling meaningless plank. In the
full committee. planks were adopted ir
favor of arbitration, the eight hour day
and against government by injunction
also a plank on the Colorado situation
If Judge Parker is silent or ambiguou!
on these subjects it will mean that thu
financial influence back Of him will no
let him AXE the labor side of these dis
puted questions.
ION the tariff question some httl'
progress may be hoped for, but tn
Parker men on the committee wer'
necessarily in favor of a very conserva
tive tariff plank, and ii remains to b
seen whether Judge Parker will carr.
out the positive and definite planl
which was submitted by the full com
nnittee. This is the situation
Judge Parker stands for enougi
things that are good to justify me IL
giving him my vote, but as I have triec
to point out for several months, tn
triumph Of the Wall street element O.
the party denies to the country AMI
hope of relief on economic questions
I have nothing to take back. i hav'