New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-10-19
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR.
PARKER MAY GET THERE IN TIME.
Hope for His Applying Declaration of indie
pendence to This Country by 1908.
To the Editor Of The Tribune.

To the Editor Of The Tribune
Sir Every thoughtful and patriotic American.
without regard 10 his political affiliations doubtless
has read with pleasurabIe interest Judge Par
kers speech the Filipino question: which
appeared in the press of yesterday. OF course,
the great majority Of the American people will not
agree with him in all he says on that question
with his conclusion stated. His reference to the
Declaration Of Independence and the statement
therein that all governments derive their just
power from the consent Of the governed is what
interests Many of US were afraid he had
forgotten that cleau-cut statement in the Declare
ton Of Independence just as the Democratic Ma
uonal Convention forgot the question of the gold
"ndard but We have felt all along that he would
come in on the homestretch on that question. just
as he did with his gold telegram.
1t is true he overshoots the mark little by APP
plying this great principle to the Filipinos. and
overlooking the fact that the enforcement Of that
doctrine is sadly needed right here at home in some
Of the States Of this Union. Now. in order that
the judge may be encouraged along this line or
thought, l desire to ask him. as one OF his con-
stituents. 70 turn his forensic battery upon the
Southern States and pursue his line Of thought in
that direction. To aid and enlighten him upon
this question, desire to furnish him with a few
facts in reference TO the consent Of the governed
in the State of Alabama.
The present constitution in that State was Sc
cured and adopted upon pledge made by that
party Of which the judge is the eminent head. That
pledge can best be stated in the language Of
eminent member of the Alabama Constitutional
Convention. which have before me now:
The Democratic party is pledged to submit to the
the negroes the right TO vote, and at the same
time pleoging 70 the people OF the State its sol
franchised because Of his poverty iliteracy, but
only for conviction of felonious crime. The cam
Paign Of 1860 conducted and won upon this
leading issue.
The great and patriotic interest the Judge feels
for the brown man of the Philippines I know will
be turned in the direction of the black man
in the South The Judge is generally little slow,
may not be until the convention OF 1905 but he will
doubtless be renominated then as BRYAN was, and
he will say: y regard the question of imperialism
as lrrevocabiy settled, and the paramount ques-
ton Is government without the consent of the
peg 10 direct his attention. The constitution OF the
State of Alabama provides for the appointment Of
three registers 10 register the voters There is no
provision requiring OF providing FOR any repre-
seutouon thereon for opposing political parties or
conflicting interests This board is without ex-
cepuon composed or members or the DEMOCRATIC
party whose interest is not to register the colored
vote, which Is usually Republican. This board is
for violation OF duty. I ask the Judge if he
were interested IN a corporation in Alabama, and
poration was 10 continue TO exercise its right Of
franchise previously granted, and the at issue
was compelled by state law 10 be submitted to
jury selected entirely by the opposing side, would
he feel that his interests being fairly treated?
by jury was denied him? II for prudential or sec
uonal reasons the judge deems it best not 70
fer the matter to his Constitution Club" which
il seems. has become the general counsel OF the
stitutonal liberty. or he might do better still.
Have his national committee send some one BY
authority TO meet me At my appointments in inc
East and discuss with these issues John
Sharp Williams or Richmond Pearson HobSon pre-
isrred. Any communication addressed 70 me- care
OF Speakers bureau Republican National Com
nittee this city; vii reach me -,
New-1ork. Oct. T. 1904.