The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1904-08-17
Judge Parker's Speech.


Judge Alton B. Parker OF Esopus. y. y.
has been formerly notified OF his nomination
as Democratic candidate for President, ano
the Judge in a speech which has been Varl'
ously estimated, has formally accepted thu
leadership OF the Democratic hosts. .
Some ofthe newspapers regard his speecl
of acceptance as a great paper, while Others
express a more moderate opinion OF Its mer
1t.
Speaking for this editor, and as far as We
may, for this newspaper. we think 1t Is s
poor paper, speaking in platitudes. and IL
such vagueness of expression, as to be luke
warm, neither hot nor cold.
Only his position on the Filipino is clear.
The bosh about needed reform means moth
ing.
The talk about the enforcement Of the law
is idle and meaningless.
The talk of maintaining separately the
executive, the judicial and the legislative
departments is stereotype stuff that any and
every politician may use at pleasure, and has
used for time out OF mind.
The tariff and the trusts are dealt with as
they nave been by others for about ten
thousand times. The stereotype plates from
which this part Of Judge Parker's speech was
taken are about worn out. And other re
marks not only show lack OF study OF
thought, but exhibit a shallowness Of brain
which should not be present in u President
of the United States.
Judge Parker's talk about trusts reminds
US Of q preacher who inveighed against the
Catholics. A good old officer demonstrated
Next Sunday the preacher sailed into the
liquor traffic.. Another good old brother
went forward and told the preacher that
course would not do. The preacher perpleX,
ed at the situation, asked his churchman
what he might attack next Sunday. The
churchnan told the preacher 10 abuse the
Jews, hey had no friends in that communi.
ty. And so 1t Is with the politicians. The
trusts have no friends. But as q matter Of
fact, trusts are as necessary as anything else
in the building up Of a country. AND moth.
ing has contributed more than trusts. They
may do wrong, but a man does a foolish
thing who condemns trusts unreservedly.
Nobody cares a cent about the tariff. That
subject should not be mentioned by the Dem
ocrats as long as We remember the disas
trous results that followed Cleveland's
tinkering with that branch Of the govern.
ment.
The talk about monopoly Is as old as the
hills and as foolish as an old granny's muir
muring.
That part OF Judge Farker's speech which
refers TO the Filipino independence ought tt
seal bis doom, even II the other parts OF his
speech were sensible and wise. This courtr7
is not ready for disintegration. We have ne
record showing that Judge Parker was in
favor OF the independence OF the Confederate
Government. The Southern people were
and are just as good as the Fillpinos. Tn,
idea that this Government should spcn6
millions TO govern a foreign country, or thal
1t Is so lost to honor and TO principle as tc
turn its back on those who have sworr
allegiance to the United States 80 that the
friends Of this country might be slain
by the outlaws Of the Philippine Islands il
too outrageous to receive respectful consid
Grafton, from anybody who is worthy to be
President.
Any idea that VI are not 10 take ouI
place among the powerful nations Of the
earth is to throw away the greatest and the
best acquisition Of the past. AS men should
be men among men, so nations should be
nations among nations. The best way 10
preserve the peace is TO have a big navy.
The twaddle about peace and no armies is
rot.
The talk about not wanting, or not accept
ing, a second term is childish and foolish.
Why the Democratic candidate should be
unable to announce one aggressive principle
is strange. He could do nothing else than,
do as. we have done in this piece, find fault.
He had time to talk about the Filipino, but
was as silent as the grave on the subject Of
the great canal, in which all this country is
80 much interested. He didn't manifest any
special interest about the people who have
lived on the louisiana purchase for a hun
dred years without representation In Con.
gress. We hope &c live long enough TO see in
Washington, "the gentleman from Luzon."
We all talk OF Thomas Jefferson as a guide in
constitutional affairs when it is a matter Of
record that he evaded the constitution and
and exceeded his authority in the Louisiana
pur chase.
II Judge Parker can be elected by throwing
away. the Philippine Islands and by remain
ing silent on the canal, the geatest problem
now before the eyes Of the world. then God
save the country.
How to write a poorer speech, 1t is hard to
conceive.