The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1904-07-21
THOSE CLAIMS OF VICTORY,

and the events attending, nbVe thken
a stand as if the battle tor the Presi-
dency were already won by their
party. They speak with assurance
of forthcoming Democratic victory.
1t is interesting to note the grounds
upon which they base their claims
and hopes. In most cases the whole
story is told when Judge Parker's tele-
gram to Sheehan and the reply of the
convention are read and considered.
The rest is mere over heated partisan
ship-a big bluff which it is thought
may fool some voters into voting the
Democratic ticket with the idea Of
getting on the winning side. The
claim that Judge Parker is sure Of
being elected President is noussnsical,
and an assertion that he has much
chance of election is nearly as far
fetched.
The truth of the matter is that I'M
til the incident OF the Parker telegram
the Democrats found themselves al
most destitute of any campaign ma
terial which even the most sangulne
could consider of auy value for getting
votes. AS to whether that telegram
was the idea of Hill or Sheehan, and
was in it's essence campaign docu-
ment planned purely and solely for
the purpose of putting the party In
position where sound money Demo-
Gratis of the eastern States could give
approval, even after the platform had
remained mute on the money question,
nav never be known Whatever its in
tent, it has been clutched at by the
Democratic editors in the East with
an avldity which shows how hungry
they were for campaign material.
The eastern press appears pleased. The
western is not so unanimous But to
lay claims of victory on such grounds
Ito pretend that that alone shows
Judge Parker to be suitable man for
President, or a better man for the
position than is Theodore Roosevelt, is
simplicity itself.
The only legitimate result of the
telegram incident is to show two
things The first is that Judge Par
ker is pronounced gold standard
man. So far, so good. The second
Is that the Democratic party has so
far escaped from the control OF the
more rabid and radical free silver
men that a sound money candidate
can be suffered to exist though the
party has not the courage to endorse
his views, 1t does not prove that Par
ker is a safe and sane man on all ques-
tions, and it by no means proves that
the party as whole has reformed to
any great extent certainly not to an
extent which would make it safe.
That any action has been taken which
will bring success is not to be seen.
AS an independent paper puts 1T,
HAbove all, it does not yet appear
that majority of the American peo-
pie would prefer the Democratic party
to the Republican party it it were
more reformed and harmonious than
it ieally is"
The Boston Herlad is mugwump
paper with Democratic tendencies. LIZ
has attacked Roosevelt bitterly for
.ome of his actions, but it has often
been forced to recognize his wisdom.
Justice, courage, and honesty. In this
connection it is interesting to note
how the Herald looks at the situation.
After speaking of the Parker telegram,
the Herald says:
This one utterance does not reveal
all that the prudent voter desires to
know about Judge Parker before de-
Gliding to cast a ballot for him. One
brave, right act does not determine
any mans character sufficiently to en-
able final Judgment to be formed OF
his claim to support for chief magis-
trate of the nation. Mr. Roosevelt
has sundry acts of this kind standing
to his credit. He is an impulsive,
rash citizen who considers that by this
act Judge Parker has made clear his
superior fitness. On all other ques-
tlOub VI puDllC WV SSNASHJ
has yet to learn his views OF course,
he is Democrat So David d. Hill,
Croker, German, Bryan, Ben Tillman,
Vardaman and George Fred Williams
are Democrats; but they are not re-
cluse and voiceless Democrats. We
know their motives. temperaments
and records as POLITICAL leaders. OF
Parker the country has as yet had
merely f1ashlight glimpse"
The Herald continues:
Neither of the principals has
made his personal declaration and
pledges. We know pretty we'll what
toeexpect from Mr.. Roosevelt. unless,
indeed, he is preparing surprise.
But as to Judge Parker, he is yet I'M
known to the public at large except
for one announcement. He has put
his own Interpretation on the Demo-
cratic platform in one particular; per-