The Mitchell capital. (Mitchell, Dakota [S.D.]) 1879-1918, 1904-09-09
The one TERN PLEDGE
IMPORTANT DECLARATION nv
CANDIDATE OF DEMOCRACY.
Attempt by Alton b. Parker to Give
Points to Warrington and lincoln
1t IL the People Who Decide the Term
Question.

In his speech OF acceptance, Alton B,
Parker, the Democratic candidate for the
presidency, declined in advance a second
nomination for that once, and explained
himself by saying: II am fully persuaded
no incumbent of that office should ever
be placed in a situation of possible temp
tation to consider what the effect of ac-
tion taken by him in an administrative
matter of great Importance might have
upon his political fortunes. Questions of
momentous consequence to all of the peo-
pie have been in the past, and will be in
the future, presented to the President for
determination, and in approaching their
consideration. as we'll as in weighing the
facts and the arguments bearing upon
them, he should be u~nembarrassed by any
possible thought of the influence his de-
cision may have upon anything whatever
that may affect him personally"
Coming as it does from a man who is
So unfamiliar with governmental meth
DDS, and who is SO little acquainted with
the machinery of administration, who has
never held a civil office except III the
l@!ich. who has never been in the I.egis-
lature or in Congress, and who has kept
himself far removed from the people, this
oNt'lftiutipll VI JuQSG Iht Is Il olAuuSS
one. He had n perfect right to say, if
he wished to. that he would not be 4
candidate for reelection. if chosen this
year. but it was unfair, unwise. and im-
pertinent of him thus to read :: lesson to
,'sr great men of the United States who
have lived and died before him. and who
lave LETT behind them great names which
have been in no wise dimmed by the fact
that they We're repeatedly candidates for
the suffrages of their fellow-citizeas, and
that they We're repeatedly honored by re-
election.
Washington, Lincol7, Grant, Cleveland
and Mckinley We're all candidates for
reelection, and no one of them. it may
safely be said, ever allowed his candi-
dacy to influence his action in any i'm
portant matter brought to him for his de-
cision. 1t is but little short of an insult
TO. this mere tyro in government to in
sinuate that the great men who have
worthily held the office of President, TO
which he aspires. nave permitted them
selves to be influenced in their action by
their desire for reelection.
What would haye happened to this
country in the trying times of 1854 if
Abraham Lincoln, who honestly 9nd
properly desired Il reelection. had aelt
that he could not ask his fellow-citiaens
to choose him President again. for fear
they might think his desire OF election
influenced him in controlling the armies
in the field which he had put there to
preserve the republic and not 10 affect
bis own political fortunes?
Does Judge Parker believe that in the
early days of the foundation of the re-
public, George Washington, who had Civ
en- his life and his property to his coun-
try, could have been swerved from his
belief in the right or wrong of any ac-
ton by the desire to be elected Presi-
dent again?
Can anyone believe that William Nc
kinley, resting under the laurels so fresh
ly placed upon him by the Spanish War.
and secure III the u%nbounded Election "f
the people of every State. Mould have
permitted himself to sign a bad law ar
to refrain from signing a good one. mere
ly because of some effect ii might have
upon his chances for reelection?
The American people know only too
we'll that my man who is fit to be Presi-
dent can be trusted to perform the duties
of that high Office without disgracing
himself !oy permitting his personal alnbi-
ton to influence his public acts. Tho
record of the American presidency is free
from such disgrace. and it is only chart
table to suppose that this declaration o.
Judge Parker, rejecting as it does upon
the reputation of the greatest men of the
republic, was merely the careless theor,
of a man who has never sufficiently
studied the American system of govern
ment. and who in his retirement is SUI
premely ignorant of the political history