Democratic messenger., 1904-09-24

Visit at the Home Of the Democratic
Candidate Who Happily lmpressss
All Who Meet him.

attention or is likely 10 De more Irultiul
in results than that of last weeks con-
ference of Democratic and independent
editors in the city of New York, fol-
lowed by a visit to Judge Parker at
Rosemount, a place which is destined
to become historic and as dear to the
hearts of.au Democrats and other we'll
wishers Of their country as are "Monti-
cello," 1.-The Hermitage" and Grey
stone"
The idea of bringing together in
| friendly counsel at the very outset Of
the campaign the men who must be
relied upon to mould public opinion in
favor of a radical change in the per-
sonnel and policies of the National
Government was Il happy one. AL
though the arrangements for the affair
We're necessarily made in hurry the
response 10 the inv itations of the Ma
tional Committee showed that in all
parts of the country the Democratic
and independent press is united and
enthusiastic in efforts to turn the ras-
Gals OUT and to elect the nominee or
the st. Louis convention. Neither in
1876, nor in the campaigns of 1854 and
1892, were the public journals sup
porting the Democratic ticket and plat
form so numerous or as powerful as
those supporting il now. Between 6J0
and 100 editors, representing intiuen-
tial newspapers of the North, South,
East and West, came TO New York 10
participate in the conference and 10
make Tie personal acquaintance of
Judge Parker, and letters were re-
ceived from upwards of a thousand
4 nth A1fe Iii 20
be present, expressed their belief that
the wisdom of the innovation was be-
yond question and that the results TO
iiow from it would prove of inestimable
benefit 10 the common cause.
Some OF the participants i'll the con-
ference Travelled 1900 miles TO demon
strate their deep interest i'll the work
of the campaign, and Il significant fea-
ture of the gathering was that large
proportion OF those in attendance came
from the so-calied "doubtfuP' States
of New Jersey, Connecticut, Indiana,
Wisconsin and West Virginia. Among
these were many old warehouses;, veter-
ans of the great contests which re-
suited in the election of Samuel }.
Tilden and Grover Cleveland, but by
far the larger number were young
men, devoid of gray hairs, splendid
types of the vigorous anl aggressive
young Democracy. These were neither
rainbow chasers' nor doubling
Thomases," but without exception
were hopeful and in most instances
absolutely confident Of victory in their
respective States and determined to do
all in their power to achieve it.
The banquet rendered the visiting
editors by the National Committee was
gratifying success in every respect.
i'll none more SO than in the spirit and
manner of the after dinner oratory.
Colonel Watters0n sounded the key
note of the campaign for his fellow ed
itorS in his mastery and comprehen-
sive arraignment of the administratio
not Omitting to handle the man who is
responsible for ii and who enbodies in
his own personality some of the most
objectionable of its features, without
gloves, and in that somewhat quaint
but extremely yirile English of which
the famous kentuckian is Il MASTER
The speeches of Clark Howell, of
Georgia; Colonel Stoll, of Indiana, and
Andrew Mclean and Herman Ridder,
OF New York, were eloquent and force
ful, full of practical political wisdom
truly and aggressively democratic, but
particularly applicable to the condi-
tions which confront the party and the
country in this campaign.
A letter from Joseph Pulitzer, who
was prevented by illness from attend
ing the banquet, was read by the toast
master and aroused great enthusiasm.
But while the banquet was excellent
n nal
ing, it is but the simple truth to say
that it was the visit to Rosemount
which was the principal magnet that
drew this large body of representative
journalists TO New York. And to that
feature OF the program arranged by the
National Committee they looked for
ward with the greatest interest. They
had heard much of RosemOunt, which
III some quarters had been pictured to
them as palatial establishment fit
for the Lord of the Manor or even for
the abode Of King, and they had
heard still more of its owner and oc-
cupant. whom many of them had some
how been led to believe was man
of great dignity and austerity. but
possessing but little amiability or mag
netism. Both ideas were delusions
WHICH tHiS llmely pilgrimage 10 the
home of the Democratic candidate
speedily dispelled.
The editors were agreeably surprised
to find in Rosemount the ideal home
of a true country gentleman who is M
the same time profound jurist and
practical and successful farmer: in
Judge Parker they discovered a man
who cannot be better described than
in the words of one of their own num-
ber, distinguished editor from the
West, who said: Judge Parker inn
presses me as being a man of marked
strength of character and resolution.
combined with dignified bearing. fine
conversational powers, most pleasing
expression of countenance and unriv
allied courtesy. He is one of the finest
appearing men have ever met"
And this was the unanimous verdict
of the several hundred editors. renre
senting all sections of the country ana
every shade of political belief within
the ranks of the great army of Demo-
Gratis and Independents who are march,
ing shoulder to shoulder in this cam