The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1904-11-02
PARKER SHOULD WIN "ON FORM. .
Elements That Make His Chances
of Election Good.
Brian Faction and Conservatives Must
Each Exert Ali Their Strength in
His Behalf for Their Own Assur-
ance of Party Standing.

An interesting analysis of the politi-
cal situation producing an estimate
most favorable to Democratic success
and presenting some ideas not gener-
ally considered is given by Washing
ton correspondent of The Baltimore
Sun as follows: The Republicans are
eagerly endeavoring, as they always
do, to convince the public in advance
of the election that the opposing party
is beaten beyond hope of recovery.
The Republican claims have distinct
~ depressing effect upon good many
Democrats, who, having been defeat
ed so often, bend their backs to the
storm as soon as they hear the wind
blow, though it be only the Kissing of
hot air.
The fact is, neither party has yet
been able to get a canvass which in
sares success, and the Republicans,
having the 4dvantage of position,
make this advantage their basis Of
claims. They are forcing the band
wagon theory to the limit, believing
that the voters who are still silent are
simply waiting to get into line with
the winDer.
AS 81 practical proposition, the
chances ought to be in favor Of Judge
Parker's election. It is fair to assume
that the so-cailed anti-Bryan element
of the Democratic party, which was
strong enough to secure the nomina-
tion of Judge Parker, intends TO cast
some votes for his election. Those Of
them who did not vote for Bryan will
not have to cast many votes for Parker
to render his election certain. Unless
this element was actingiin bad faith
in the effort to capture trhe Southern
delegations to the national conyen-
tiep, the Democratic party should
have perfect confidence in the result
of the election.
To charge such bad faith would be
to do violence to the popular ,judg-
menS of very high class Of American
citizens, who have shown their cour-
age and devotion on many occasions.
The attitsade of Grover Cleveland and
purnbsrless others Of high standing
who did not vote for#Bryan should
shame the Republicans from any hope
based upon the temper of treachery.
Perhaps some of the captains of in
dussry who encouraged the effort to
nominate Judge Parker did SO without
any purpose to support him, but
merely to make sure that the business
interests of the country should not
suffer whichever way the election
might go. It may be that the Demo
Gratis had reason to believe they
would receive substantial support from
quarters where they are encountering
only opposition, but this influence
should not be so powerful as to make
its loss fatal to Judge Parker's pros
poets.
OF course, the Republicans magnify
the support of this sort, which they
had expected to lose, and interpret it
as signifying that the business in
terests of the country are not as great
~ alarmed at the capriciouspess of the
administration as circumstances war
rant and as the Republican managers,
knowing thS facts, expected them to
be. The Republican managers are so
delighted art their success in capturing
certain corporation captains whom
they thought Rooseyels had mortally
offended that they at once Jump to the
conclusion that all the business inter
esss of the country are with them.
Whereas at the opening Of the cam
paign Mr. Roosevelt counted for sue
cess upon disafection among the
Bryan Democrats, it is felt now that
the party can, rely upon its old stand
bys, the trusts and tariff made monop-
olies. Apparently the chief reason Of
Encouragement among Democrats is
that these monopolies are coming
more vigorously to the support of che
administration than it was at first
thought they would.
It is generally conceded now that
Judge Parker will get practically all
of the Bryan votes in the doubtful
States, where Bryan and his friends
are working hard fer the ticket. The
question would seem TO turn, there
force, upon the size Of the vote cast for
for Bryan. McKiuley's popular plural
$50, 600 in the whole country. IN the
States of New Jersey, New York,
Connecticut, Indiana and Delaware,
where the opposition 60 Bryan was
particularly strong. Mckinley get
ting the Independent and gold Demo
cratic vote. McKinley's popular plur-
ality was about 2s9. 900. These figures
seem to indicate that Judge Parker
does not require q very large vote Of
his own, independent of the Bryan
vote, to insure his election.
Except in the South, where the pri-
maries were Influenced by the Eastern
sentiment favorable to Judge Parker,
the Bryan influence was generally op-
posed to Parker's nomination. His
nomination, therefore, indicated q
great strength outside the Bryan in
huence. Since his nomination it has
been manifest that be has powerful
support from gold Democrats and in
dependents, and early every man who
ever talks politics meets daily with
Republicans who declare an intention
to vote the Democratic ticket this
year for the FIRST time in their lives
In the absence of reliable canvass,
in any Of the doubtful States, indica-
ting contrary trend. this plain con-