Idaho Springs siftings., 1904-09-10
THE ONE-TeRM PLEDGE
IMPORTANT DECLARATION BY
CANDIDATE or DEMOCRACY.
Attempt by Alton u. Parker to Give
Points to Washington and Lincoln
1t L. the People Who Decide the Term
Question.

In his speech OK acceptance. Alton H..
Parker. the Democratic candidate for the
presidency, declined ia advance second
nomination for that ONCE. and explained
himself hy saying; Il am fully persuaded
no incumbent Of that Office should ever
be placed in a situation Of possible temp
tatIon 10 consider " hat the effect u ac-
tion taken By him in an administrative
matter Of great importance might have
upon his political fortunes. Questions OF
momeitag- consequence % all of the peo-
pie hsve been iu the past, and Will be III
the future presented Ia the President Tor
determination. and in approaching their
consideration, as well as 90 weighing the
facts aud the arguments tr'arihg upon
them hs should De- unemharflssed by any
possible thought u the inducace his de-
cision may have uPou anything whatever
that may affect him personally
Coming - 1t docs from man who is
% unfamiliar with governmental meth
od.. aud rho is 50 little acquainted with
the machinery OF administration, who has
never held n civil Office except on the
bench. who has never been in the Legis-
iature or 10 Congress. and who has kept
himself far removed from the people. this
declaration Of Judge Parker is a strange
one lie had perfect right TO sag. II
he wished TO- that he would not be
candidate FOR re election. If chosen this
year but IL was unfair, unwise. and i'm
pertinent Of hirp thus 70 read lesson 10
the great Eisn Of the United States who
hav. lived and died before him. and who
have left behind them great names which
have been IN no wise dtmIned by the fact
that they were repeatedly candidates for
the suffsgcs Of tilaig fellow citizens. and
that they were repeatedly honored b, re
slection.
Washington. Lincoln. Grant. Cleveland
and Mckiuley were all candidates Tor
re reeleetion, and 20 one OF them. II may
safely be said ever allowed bis canii-
dacy to influence his action IN any i'm
portant matter brsught 20 him for his de
cision. IL is but little short OF an insult
for this mere tyre 10 government 10 in
sinuats that the great men who have
worthily held the Office % President. TO
which he Aspircs. have permitted them
selves 10 be Influenced In their action by
their desire for reelection.
What would have happened to this
country In the trying times Of 1854 II
Abraham Lincoln. who honestly and
properly desired = reelection. bad felt
that be could not ask his fellow citizens
they nigh; think his desire OF election
Influenced him In controlling the armies
In the Geld which be bad pat there 70
preserve the republic and not to affect
bis own political f0rtanesf
Dee. Jndre Parker believe that In the
sariy days of the Foundation q the re-
public. George Washiugtpn. who had Civ
en- his hfe aud his property 70 his coun-
try. could have bgca sWervej from his
belief in the right or wrong Of any ac-
tioa BY The desire 10 be elected Presi-
ceut aealng
Can anyone believe that William Nc
kinley. resting under thc l-Hreis 50 fresh
ly placed ppen hlm hy the spanish war
and secure 10 the uuhllnlri affection ot
the people % every state, would have
permitted himself 20 sign bad law or
20 refrain frum signing good one. mer>
ly because Of some et5ect IL might have
upcn his chances for re-eiectioa7
The American people know only too
well that any man who Is IL u be Presi-
dent caa be tEasteI 20 perform the duties
OF that hiEh otfice without disgracins
himself b. permitting his personal aTubl-
tion 10 influence his public acts The
record of the American presidency is free
from such disgrace. and il Is only ehari-
table to suppose that this declaration o.
Judge Parker. FeacCtinE as At does upon
the reputation Of the greatest men OF the
republic. was merely the careless theory
OF nau who has never sufficiently
studied the American system of govern
ment, and who iu his retirement Is sn-
premely ignorant OF the political history
OF his own eosntry.