The Washington times., 1904-09-26
Judge PaTkeT'S Letter.

" ~ NJ a. MI y hOLAGAs
The citizen really interested in pub
lie affairs should read for himself the
letter of acceptance of the Democratic
candidate. II is not wearying in its
length, and it is frank and explicit
An excellent exposition of the Dem
ocratic view. it impresses the fact that
often this view, save in name alone.
is identical with the Republican.
Judge Parker has proved anew that
he is the leader of his party, that he
sounds the keynote fearlessly. and
with courage awaits the result. For
its frankness, and even for its
strength. the letter commands respect
Doubtless it will be assailed in the
usual manner by the element Of par
tisanship too blind or too stupid to
discern good in a manly foe.
Republicans will take issue on
many points with Judge Parker They
will adhere to the principles already
proclaimed, and the men whom they
have chosen as fit representatives Of
these principles. However, they will
not deny to others the right to hold
contrary opinions, ana when these
are well defined. will not withhold ad-
miratiOn, even if coupled with dissent.
Judge Parker seems much disturb
cd by the vision of imperialism a
fantasy the soul Of Democracy has
summoned out of the great void. and
in the ghostly presence Of which it
trembles duly. He is scared at a CEN
tralization of power such as is OBJ
served only by those who desire to
see it. ''Tbe people of the United
States he affirms, stand at the part
ing Of the ways" On the one hand
he beholds peace. prosperity. and
contentment." On the other tho
blind following of new ideals" OF
course, if he thinks he really behoIds
these conditions his views are natural.
but majority of his feIlow-country-
men decline to see them, on the sim
pie ground that they do not exist.
Tariff reform is treated at length
in about the usual Democratic terms.
and its Inauguration is urged. 1t is
a notable fact that it is urged along
lines suggested by the late President
Mckinley, and, therefore, Democracy
cannot claim the initiative however
much Of excellence there might be in
the plan.
Judge. Parker specifically advocates
Independence for the Filipinos. He
favors the Panama Canal, but regrets
the methods by which the possibility
Of building it was secured. intimating.
indeed. that not TO have built it would
have been better
Attention is called to the decadence
Of American shipping. and it is de-
plored in the expected measure. A
demand is made for investigation Of
departments. The army and navy are
complimented, and informed that they
have suffered from abuse. A little
later the charge is made of expendi-
lures too vast for both these branches
of the service. as though the suffering
had been caused by overlooking.
OF course the old soldier is told
that he deserves a pension and ought
10 have it, and then President Roose-
welt is scored for having enabled him
to secure it. Judge Parker promises
that in the event Of his election he
viii Tescind the order that
presumes the soldier of sixty-two
years to be Of impaired capacity for
work. He asserts virtually the belief
that the order was made so as 20
secure votes. AS the old soldier
is a Republican anyhow, it is not
clear how this could be-
In regard to foreign relations, the
essence of the judges opinion is that
the United States should not have
any, but should cultivate a glorious
and impregnable isolation, letting the
world wag as It may.
There is a long paragraph devoted
to extravaganza. It cites the sums
employed in maintaining the Govern
ment, rather than the specific pur-
poses to which these sums have been
devoted, or the changed national
status that has made them necessary
and inevitable
Having pointed ont what seem TO
him % be the errors of the Republican
party, Judge Parker promises so far
as may be in his power to correct
these if elected. Under the circum-
stances the quality Of his perceptions
is natural. and the promise follows as
a logical sequence.
American Marine.