Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1904-09-26
PARKER LETTER
Full Text of Document
Given to Public.
A Weak and Ineffective Answer
o RooseveIt's letter.
Will Be Circulated by Republicans as
Campaign Document.

Esopus. n. y, Sept. 25.-Follow!ng l.;
the full text of Judge Parktrs letter Of
| ac, eptance:
| To the Honorable Champ Clark and
| others, Committee. etc.
Gentlemen:--In my response to your
committee. at the formal notification
proc ceilings, / referred To some ma tiers
not mentioned in this letter. | desire
| That these be considered as incurpor-
ated herein, and regret that lack of
| space prevents specific n ference to
them all. l wish here. however. again
| 10 refer to my Views there expressed as
to tbs gold standard. to declare again
my unqualified belief i'll said standard.
ana 70 express MY appreciation of the
| action Of the convention in reply to
my communication upon that subject
! Grave public Questions are pressing
for urciSior The Democratic party
| appeals TO the people with condolences
that its position on these questions will
be accepted ana endorsed u! the polls.
| While the issues inNo!vcd are uunor-
Gus, some stand forth rre-rnincnt in
the public mind. Among these are
tariff reform. imperialism. economical
administration and honesty in the pub
lie service. l shall briefly consider
these and some others within the
necessarily prescribed limits Of this let
ter.
While l presented my views at the
notification proceedings concerning
this vital issue. the uvershadowing i'm
r"rtahcc Of this question iinpels me to
refer to il again. The issue is often
times referred to as conStilutionalism
vs.. Imperialism.
If we would retain our liberties and
constitutional rights unmplired we
cannoI permit or tolerate. al any time
or for any purpose. the arrogation of
unconstitutional powers by the ex-
eclltiVe branch of our government We
should be ever mindful of the words of
Webster, Liberty is only to be pre-
served by maintaining constitutional
restraints and just divisions OF politi-
cal powers
Already the national government has
become centralized beyond any point
contemplated or imagined by the
trainers of the Constitution. How
tremendously all this has added to the
power of the President, 1t has de-
velortd from year t. year until il al
most equals that Of many monarchs.
Will" the growth of our country and
the magnitude Of interstate interests
may Seem to furnish Il plausible reason
for this Capitalization Of power yet
these same facts afford the most potent
reason why the executive should not
re permitted to cncroach upon the
other DEPARTMENTS Of the government.
and assume Legislative. or o.har
powers. not expressly conferred by the
Constitutions T.
The magnitude OF the country and
its diversity of interests ana popula-
ton would enable Il determined, am
bilious and able executive. unm,ndfuI
of constitutional limitations and fired
with the lust Of power. to go far in the
uSurntton Of authority and the ag-
crandiZcment of personal power before
the situation could be fully appreciated
or the people be aroused.
The issue Of Imperialism which has
been thrust unon tn" country involves
a decision whether the law of the land
on the rule of individual caprice shall
govern. The principle of Imperialism
may give rise to brilliant. starting
dnshing results, but the principle Of
Democracy holds in checks the bril-
liant Executive and subjects him to
the sober. conservative control of the
people.
tn" people Of the United States
stand ut the parting of the ways. Shall
we follow the footsteps of our fathers
along the paths of peace. prosperity (
and contentlncnt. guided by the ever
living spirit Of the Constitution which ,
they framed for us. or shall we go
along other and untri"d paths. hitherto (
summed by al. following blndly new
ideals. which. though appealing with
hriliancy to the imagination and am :
biion. may prove will-o' the-wiSp.
leading US into difficulties from which
it may be impossible to extrirate our ,
selves without lasting injury to our ma
tional character and institutions?
Tariff reform is one Of the cardinal I
principles of the Democratic faith. and ,
Continued IN page 81