Martinsburg statesman. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1869-1906, 1904-09-23
EDITORS CONFER.
REPRESENTATIVE DEMOCRATIC WRIT.
ERS SEE JUDGE PARKER.
Visit at the Home Of the Democratic
Candidate Who Happily lmpressss
All Who Meet Him.

NO single event OF the campaign now
being waged throughout the country
for the restoration of honest, econom-
teal and constitutional government,
through the election of Parker ana
Davis, has attracted more widespread
attention or is likely to be more fruitful
In results than that of last weeks con-
ference Of Democratic and independent
editors In the city of New York, FOL
lowed by q visit to Judge Parker at
Rosemount, place which is destined
to become historic and as dear to the
hearts of all Democrats and other Well
wishers of their country as are Month
CELLO" 1.-The Hermitage" and Grey
stone"
The idea Of bringing together in
friendly counsel at the very outset of
the campaign the men who must be
relied upon to mould public opinion in
favor OF radical change in the per-
sonnet and policies of the National
Government was happy one. Al
though the arrangements for the affair
were necessarily made in hurry the
response to the invitations of the Ma
iopal Committee showed that in all
parts of the country the Democratic
and independent press is united and
enthusiastic in efforts to turn the ras-
Gals OUT and to elect the nominee OF
the St Louis convention. Neither In
1876, nor in the campaigns of 1884 and
1892, were the public journals sup
porting the Democratic ticket and plat
form 80 numerous or as powerful as
those supporting it now. Between 600
and 100 editors, representing intluen-
tal newspapers of the North, South,
East and West, came to New York TO
participate in the conference and to
| make the personal acquaintance of
Judge Parker, and letters were re-
ceived from upwards of thousand
other editors who, though unable to
be present, expressed their belief that
| the wisdom of the innovation was be-
yond question and that the results to
| flow from it would prove of inestimable
benefit to the common cause.
Some of the participants in the con-
ference Travelled 1900 miles to demon
strate their deep interest in the work
of the campaign, and significant fea-
ture Of the gathering was that a large
proportion of those in attendance came
from the so-calied doubtful" States
Of New Jersey, Connecticut, Indiana,
Wisconsin and West Virginia. Among
these were many old warehouses, veter-
ans of the great contests which re-
suited In the election of Samuel j.
Tilden and Grover Cleveland, but by
far the larger number were young
men, devoid Of gray hairs, splendid
types Of the vigorous and aggressive
young Democracy. These We're neither
rainbow chasers'' nor doubling
Thomases," but without exception
were hopeful and in most instances
absolutely confident Of victory in their
respective States and determined to do
all in their power to achieve it,
The banquet rendered the visiting
editors by the National Committee was
a gratifying success in every respect,
in none more so than in the spirit and
manner of the after dinner oratory.
Colonel Watterson sounded the key
| note of the campaign for his fellow ed
itors in his mastery and comprehen-
sive arraignment Of the administra ton,
| not emitting to handle the man who is
| responsible for it and who embodies i'll
his own personality some of the most
| Objectionable of its features, without
gloves, and in that somewhat quaint
but extremely yirile English Of which
the famous Kentuckian is a master.
The speeches of Clark Howell, of
Georgia; Colonel StOll, of Indiana, and
Andrew Mclean and Herman RMder.
of New York, were eloquent and force
full full Of practical political wisdom
truly and aggressively democratic, but
particularly applicable to the condi-
tons which confront the party and the
country in this campaign.
A letter from Joseph Pulitzer, who
was prevented by illness from attend
ing the banquet, was read by the toast
master and aroused great enthusiasm.
BUT while the banquet was excellent
and the speeches instructive and inspir-
ing, it is but the simple truth to say
that it was the visit to Rosemount
which was the principal magnet that
| drew this large body of representative
| journalists to New York. And to that
feature Of the program arranged by the
National Committee they looked for
ward with the greatest interest They
had heard much OF Rosemount, which
In some quarters had been pictured to
them as palatial establishment fit
| for the Lord of the Manor or even for
| the abode of a King, and they had
heard still more Of its owner and oc-
cupant, whom many of them had some
how been led to believe was a man
of great dignity and austerity, but
possessing but little amiability or mag
| netism. Both ideas We're decisions
which this timely pilgrimage to the
home of the Democratic candidate
speedily dispelled.
The editors were agreeably surprised
to find in Rosemount the ideal home
of true country gentleman who is at
the same time profound jurist and q
practical and successful farmer; in
Judge Parker they discovered a man
who cannot be better described than
| In the words of one of their own num-
| Der, distinguished editor from the
| West, who said: Judge Parker i'm
presses me as being man OF marked
strength of character and resolution.
combined with dignified bearing. fine
conversational powers. a most pleasing
| expression of countenance and unriy-
| allied courtesy. He is one of the finest
appearing men have ever met"