The Montgomery advertiser., 1904-03-04
BOWIE TALKS OF PARKER; Is AVAILABILITY AND STRENGTH

expression on the subject. He over shadows all the favorite sons; he Is naturally the strongest because he IS the ideal choice of that vast body Of Democrats throughout the Union who are most anxious for victory, and who for that end win be the most self-sacrthciLS and who. consequently, are tired of tho passion of charging and counter-chars' ing that have gone on between leaders of the old factions, to the delight Of all Republicans.
 "As for Judge Parker's record. he fills all the requirements. At 32 years of age he was Chairman of the State Demo cratic Executive Committee. an honor which in that State has never gone 70 any but strong men. So wei; did he ils- charge the duties of the position that in 1885. then only 8 years old, he was ten- dered by President Cleveland the office of Fourth Assistant Postmaster Gem eral. a place second in political import ance only to sest in the Cabinet. Since then he has held eminent judicial poei- tens in New York. In 1897 he was elected Chief Justice of the Court of Appeals of New York by a majority of e0,sSs, as against McKinley's : majority of the previous year of 2ss.Aes. It has been stated that the election was not conclusive of Parker's ability to carry the State, because of the fact that in the mayoralty election in New York city at the same time there were three tickets. Democrats, Republican and Citizens Union; but 1t evidently was conclusive, for the Democrats endorsed Parker, the Republicans Wallace, his opponent for the judgeship. and the Citizens Union had no candidate. Now the Citizens Union was an independent organization. at least one-half of whom were anti Tammany Democrats. Many of the Citi- zens' Union actually voted for Chief Justice, and a majority of those voting for Parker. indicating that he probably lost more than his opponent by the fail- ure of many of the Citizens Union to vote at all for Chief Justice.
 More than this, he Is the one man who possesses the confidence of the fol- lowers of the old factions sufficiently to unite them as no other man yet named can, making a candidate who would in- spire harmony, which Is absolutely essen. tial to success. On his party record there Is not a single flaw. He has never faltered. nor failed to support the ticket. He numbers among his supporters many of the warmest and most devoted fol- lowers of Mir. Bryan. and. at the same time, he enjoys the confidence and respect of the millions of Democrats who do not think that the battles of the future should be fought upon issues which time and events have eliminated from the field of practical discussion.
 No wise man expects to see. and no true Democrat desires to see, the maJori- ty of the party which fought It's battles .n the darkest hours and upheld its ban ners under the most adverse circum- stances, apologize for their past. But 1t Is the part of wisdom and prudence that the platform of today shall deal with the living issues of today, so that all in sympathy with us on these issues can get together, without apology or recrimi- nation, and with faces to the future and to victory. Only thus do think we can be united and make an effective, win- ming fight Judge Parker is the one man who has the elements in his charac- ter, his ability and his record to bring the party together. He has borne him. self most admirably under the white light that has been upon him in recent years. His very dignity, with It's refreshing con- trast to the HotspuF now in the White House. will itself commend and endear him to the millions of his fellow country men who believe that the conduct of the man holding the exalted office of Presi- dent should measure at least In seemli- ness of behaviour with the eminence of the position. His discretion which has marked his every act and adorned hias as a superior man would surely give the whole country confidence in his admin istration." R. H. Watkins.