Arizona republican., 1904-09-22
PHOENIX. ARIZONA, SEPT. 22. 1904.
Judge Barnes on the Democracy.


 With his announcement at St. Louis that he had left the democratic par ty. Judge William H. Barnes present ed reasons for his action which no democrat can successfully challenge. The Globe-Democrat of Sunday con- tained an extended interview with the Tucson jurist and former democratic leader, and We quote additionally some of the judges convincing reasons for becoming a republican,,
 Referring to the presidential cam paign. "Ycu may say" said Judge Barnes, that I am for Theodore Roosevelt for president. am for Roosev cit because he Is a man of ac- tion-because he does things. am for the principles advocated by the repub- lican party because I think they mean the development expansion and build ing up of the greatest nation on earth and. first of all. am an American.
 II am opposed to Judge Parker for the presidency because of his lack of action. his hesitancy and indecision. In the time of crisis man like Judge Parker would be pitiable spectacle. either in the white house or as a states
 
 army and navy of the United States. l am opposed to the democratic party and its platform because it stands for nothing and means nothing. If trium- phant the nation would enter upon an era of retrogI ession instead of progress sion, upon a policy of contraction in stead of expar sion, of isolation and an initiation instead of a great world power having a voice in the affairs of the world.
 You may again say that I am an American, proud Of Americas advance ment and achievement. I would not haul down the flag wherever 1t has been unfurled. Instead, I would rather hoist 1t where 1t has not yet been.
 Have you read President Roose- velt's letter of acceptanca?" asked the judge. If you have not you ought to. It will go down in history as one of the ablest documents ever penned by an American executive-it Is a chal- lenge to those who would tear down the stars and stripes, destroy the na- tion's commercial credit, and tarnish the glory won by the Rough Riders at San Juan hill that Judge Parker will not answer, because 1t is unanswera- ble
 The west. and particularly the arid
 
 just now embarking upon the building of another great empire which will have population and wealth equal to one of the great powers of Europe in a few years. Congress enacted that the proceeds of the sales of public lands in the west should be devoted to the construction of irrigation works. President Roosevelt favored that law. and in fact. but for him 1t would not have been enacted. He Is heartily in sympathy with the law. He knows the great west. its industries. its resources. and its possibilities. He knows the men who have won and built the west and the people of the arid region of Arizona prefer to have the law admin istered by friendly executive than by one neutral or hostile.
 We hear of a supercilious claim that this party Is the special defender of the constitution. and 1t is charged that President Roosevelt violates the constitution. although it has never been pointed out in what particular he has done so. The constitution has not been changed nor has its construction been altered. but 1t must be constantly adapted to new conditions as they arise.
 ''The people are tired of these never ending hard-luck stories and croaking that we are going to destruction. We are not going to destruction. We are not having hard times. The people are better off now than they ever have been.
 President Roosevelt has made a splendid president under embarrassing conditions. His worst enemy admits that he Is honest. and his most serious critic thinks that he is not safe for the reason that nobody owns him. He deserves approval for the enemies he has made and the criticism he has evoked.
 The platform which was made at St. Louis does not present any issue whatever. in spite of the two blanks that Judge Parker put into it-one that the gold standard is irevOcable, which IS absurd, as no legislation is irrevocable. and that his party will abandon the Philippines as quickly as they can. This declaration is enough to condemn any party or any can didate. and upon this proposition alone Judge Parker will be defeated by an overwhelming majority. as the people of this country do not propose to toI- crate party that wishes to pull down the flag when 1t has been once set up by American valor."
 We commend Judge Barnes sound reasoning to the careful consideration of the patriotic democrats of Arizona. One of the ablest leaders the democ- racy in this territory ever had boldly comes through the front door and takes his seat in the republican tabernacle He should be followed, and we believe