The independent. [volume] (Lincoln, Neb.) 1902-1907, 1904-07-28
A PopocratIc Parkerlte.

4 T0pUCTdIIC rdIk8Ille.
Editor Independent: AS constant
and interested reader of your paper,
former silver republican and now
democrat, l wish a hearing in your
columns.
shall vote for the Parker electors
in this state if there are any-and
there will be-and I am for fusion in
state and local affairs. In this deny
that l am inconsistent. / deny that
am in any way stultifying myself !
deny tDat l am surrendering anything
CT the rrircrples for which contended
in 1896 and 1900. / deny that populists
and democrats in supporting their
separate electoral tickets and the
same state or local ticket would be
guilty of anything of dishonesty or
dshonOr
Having voted the republican ticket
from 1854 to 1896, with the exception
that l voted for Greeley in 1872. it
would be absurd to say that / am sup
porting Parker because of any specla,
attachment to the democratic name.
Neither am / supporting Parker be-
cause Bryan does; for, when it was
thought by many that Bryan would
bolt if the reorganizers controlled the
st. Louis convention, 1t was my in
tention to support the nominee of that
! convention even though he might be
SO great pet of Wall street and bad
democrat as Grover Cleveland.
And why? Not because OF any such
considerations as Bryan sets up in his
four reasons for supporting Parker,
although consider them good and
sufficient; but, chiefly, because l con-
sidered President Roosevelt, by rea-
son of his dictatoriai airs and disre-
gard of constitutional limitations, a
greater menace to our republican in-
situations than Wall street and all the
trusts and corporations combined.
l would rather die a pauper and
leave my children heritage of lib
erty, than to die millionaire and
leave them subjects of arbitrary pow
er. The great question That now con-
fronts us and demands our decision,
is not SO much one of trusts, money,
Imperialism as to our lnsuIar posses
sions, or anything of that sort (such
questions have been fought out and
temporarily LOST, as 1t Is question
of Imperialism right here at home, a
question as to whether for the next
four years we shall nave as our chief
executive man VINO on American
soil essays to ape the German kaiser,
| or cool-headed man, OF judicial tenn
perment and training who, l think,
can be relied on to have some regard
for the constitution of his country and
his sacred oath to support that con-
stitution.
Surrendering nothing but philosophi-
cally submitting TO the Inevitable. the
duty OF q democrat Is to the present
rather than to an uncertain and more
or less visionary future.
While In national affairs the align
ment OF parties Is already made and
the conditions are such that IL IL
| foregone conclusion that for the next
| four years We can not crush, or even
scotch. the trusts and the money pow
er. except by reason on great popu-
| lar uprising as In the time prellml-
nary 10 the Spanish war, when con-
gress and the presi>snt did not dare
resist the public clamor; yet In state
affairs we still have an opportunity
/ 10 put an end TO corporation rule
Shalt We have patriotism enough. man
illness enough and sense enough To
cease our ordinations and recrlmina-
tions and take advantage az ~
The populiat and democratic conyen-
lions which are Ia meet on the tent
of August should promptly answer that
question In the Affirmative without re-
gard 10 the possible. or probable Of