Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1904-07-23
A Cooljno Current.

have failed to be impressed by the sud
den subsistence Of the adulatory gush
that greeted the publication Of Judge
Parker's telegram to the Democratic
National convention. The more this
matter is analysed, and the better the
facts connected with it become known,
the more general becomes the public
appreciation of the fact that it was, In
no sense, the spontaneous expression OF
great statesman and patriot. AS a
matter of fact it was the cool and cal
c,,Iated utterance of an adroit politi-
clan, admirably timed to secure what
seemed to be substantial political ad-
vantages. without the sacrifice of his
personal political interests.
Up to the time Of his nomination
Judge Parker had maintained an abso-
Lutte silence as to his political opinions.
He was in fact Janus-faced political
sphinx. The advocates of free silver
were made to believe that hey was
friendly to their cause, while the ad-
vocatcs Of a sound currency were
privately assured that he would be
found "all right on the money ques-
ton"
1t is doubtless true that Judge Parker
did not personally engage in these de-
ceDtions. He was party to them only
In so far as he made it possible, by his
policy of silence for his supporters to
deceive the members of his party-to
blow hot or blow cold as the eXigency
might seem to require. Mr.. Bryan and
his friends have openly stated that, at
the famous conference of the platform
committee, David B. Hill of New York,
Parker's mentor and manager, solemn
that he did not know what views We're
entertained by Judge Parker upon the
currency question! Is it any wonder
that Mr.. Bryan-an honest and sincere
man, whatever may be his political
vagaries-declares that Judge Parker's
nomination was secured by crooked
and indefencible methods" that it was
in fact "a plain and deliberate attempt
to deceive the party" There is no
shadow of doubt but what if the gold
telegram had been received prior to
the nomination Judge Parker would
l,1l,, lafp faA
and no man realized this fact more
clearly than he did. He therefore wait
ton safely cinched before he broke his
long silence. In this there is no rea-
son to believe that he acted upon his
own initiative. To be sure an effort
was made at the time the gold telegram
was published, on the part of few
Democratic organs to convey the inn
preston that Judge Parker had not fol-
lowed the proceedings of the conven-
| ton, and was not aware that the plat
form had lodged the currency question
until after it was formally adopted by
the convention! Men who underestimate
the intelligence OF the American peo-
pie, however. are not long in learning
their mistake, and the derisive laugh
ter that greeted this suggestion speed
lily convinced the editors in question
that the American public was not
nearly as gulible as they had
imagined.
Not only had Judge Parker kept in
close touch with the convention. but
he WAS also in touch with certain
powerful Wall street and other New
York interests, whose assistance he eX-
poets to have in the approaching cam
Of these interests his chance of carry
ing New York state was slim enough
Without them, he fully appreciated
the fact that his cause was utterly
hopeless. He recognized the fact that
he mast act upon their demands be-
fore the convention closed in order to
hold them. He must choose between
| the Judgment of the delegates in the
heat and turmoil of st. Louis, and these
gentlemen who sat in the cool and quiet
of their private offices. and coolly laid
down the line he must pursue. if he eX-
pected to retain their friendship. I'm
| der such circumstances he was able tC
arrive at prompt decision. With a
nomination already secured, and 4
tired convention anxious to break VI
ana go home. with the crown prince OF
| Democratic wire-pullers on the floor tc
represent his interests and bridge Over
the awkward or uncomfortable situa-
ton, he sent his telegram. 1t was 3
great grand stand play, and on the i'm
pulse caught the country. The fact is
now clearly appreciated. however. that
it was merely a shrewd move on the
political checkerboard, and one utterly
lacking in aspects of herOism or re-
Inunciation-notwith the dra-