The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1904-08-11
Judge PaTkeT's Speech.

uOuludtlOu lOt IItSiucul VI lhS Chi-
ted States, is a strong document ac-
curately stating the views of the can
didate on all important topics and
declaring throughout a fine quality
of civil courage together with a
sound sense of law and principle, the
natural results of lifelong judicial
training.
1t has the leading merit of plac-
ing the campaign where every cam
paign for the high Office should be.
on the lofty plane of fact and theory,
high above personality and political
exigency. Whatever else Judge Park
er's opponents may say regarding his
address. they will not be able justly
to maintain that it was dictated by
policy or motived by a purpose mere
ly to play the political game.
Had the judge yielded his voice
to the practical politicians of his
party. he would, for instance, have
fought shy Of such an utterly eXtran-
eous subject as the Colorado mine sit
uatiOn, even though it did serve strik-
ingly TO illustrate the point he was
making and clearly to define the po-
sition he was unfolding. But the
practical politician would have re-
garded the Colorado situation as load
ed, and consequently he would have
avoided it as the wise man avoids
powder magazine when he wants to
smoke a cigar.
In fact, this quality of unabashed
frankness in the speech rather dis
counts for the time being considera-
ton Of the value of what the judge
says with the more pointed and less
idealistic question, How is the coun-
try, and particularly certain elements
in the Democratic party, going to
take it? The speech will, without
shadow Of doubt. please the South
ern Democrat and the academic
Democrat of the North. But what
is the union labor man going TO say
to the Judges definition Of liberty?
Liberty. as understood in this coun-
try, means not only the right OF free
dom from actual servitude. imprison
ment or restraint, but the right of one
to use his faculties in all lawful ways.
to live and work where he win and to
pursue any lawful trade or business"
And again, after briefly referring TO
the Colorado dynamite outrage and
the high-handed deportation of min
ers from that State:
These Illustrations present some evil
dence Of the failure Of government to
protect the citizen and his property.
which not only JUSTIFIED the action OF
your convention in this regard. but
made 1t its duty to call attention to the
fact that Constitutional guarantees are
violated whenever any citizen is denied
the right TO labor, TO acquire and TO en-
JOY property, or to reside where his
interest or inclination may determine"
While advancing no argument for
free trade, Judge Parker is positive
in his demand for revision of the
present tariff, which he characterizes
as unjust in its operation, excessive
in many Of its rates and so framed in
particular instances as to exact in
ordinate profits from the people"
Nor does he hesitate TO hurl the
gauntlet at the feet of the Republi-
can Senate in declaring what he will
do TO the tariff In case he is elected
with a Democratic House at his back:
80 confident am in the belief that
I the demand Of the people for a reform
OF the tariff is jy1t. that I indulge the
| hope that should a Democratic House OF
| Representatives and a Democratic ex-
| ecutive be chosen by the people, even a
| Republican Senate may heed the warn
| ing and consent TO give at least some
measure OF relief TO the people"
The trusts the judge regards as
encouraged and stimulated by exces-
sive tariff duties" But he believes
that the common law as developed
affords u complete legal remedy
against monopolies. What Is needed
in addition to the passage of a sta.
tute revising the tariff duties 10 q
reasonable basis-is not so much
other and different laws, as officials
having both the disposition and the
courage to enforce existing laws"
The FilipinOs, he believes, should
be prepared as rapidly as possible
for self-government and given assur.
ances that they will have it as sooI
as they are reasonably prepared
I'VE are not a military people" h,
declares, bent on conquest, or en-
gagged in extending our domains II
foreign lands, or DESTROYS of securing
natural advantages, however great
by force" and adds:
The most efficient work we can do fl
uplifting the people of other countrie
Is by the presentation OF a happy, pros
porous. self-governing nation as an idea
TO be emulated, a model 20 be followed.
The speech ends with a promis
which is likely TO cause a vast amour
of comment on all sides:
81 accept. gentlemen OF the commit
tee, the nomination, and II the actio
Of the convention shall be Endorsed b.
/ ~ aIaCffpv, Nv ha I Mill