Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1904-09-17

qualification as TO time and that IN
later and equally official utterances
Judge Parker's speech of acceptance)
the term of 'self-governmenJ' was sub
stituted for independence, the words
used being 50 chosen that in their ma
turaI construction they described pre-
cisely the policy now being carried
on" Mr.. Roosevelt says that this
caused trouble in their own ranks and
in a still later although less formal ut
terance Judge Parker's letter to Mr..
MiIburn) the self-gOyernment promise
was recanted and independence at
some future time was promised in its
place They have occupied three en-
tirely different positions within fifty
days. Which is the promise they
really intend 10 keep"
II is difficult 10 conceive of a public
man. occupying Mr.. Rooseyelt's posi-
tion. making such a plain misrepre-
sentation of an opponents attitude
Bear in mind that Mr.. Roosevelt says
that the language of the democratic
platform is "a little obscure" also
that Judge Parker deliberately sUbsti-
tutod the term "self-goveTnmenr" for
Independence" charging that the
words were so used in order that Judge
Parker might convey the i'm
preston that in the event of his elec-
ton the Roosevelt policy would be his
policy. Also that because of trouble
in their own (the demOcratso ranks
Judge Parker recanted the self-gOv-
eminent promise and substituted in
dependence" Also that the democratic
party and its candidate have occupied
three entirely different positions with
in fifty days"
One glance ar the record Will con
vict Mr. Roosevelt of marked lack Of
candor in dealing with his opponents
position on this great question. The
language of the democratic platform
on this subject is not at all obscure. It
plainly denOunCes the policy of i'm
perialism and insists that we should
do for the Filipinos what we have al
ready done for the Cubans." and il
adds that ct is our duty to make that
promise now and upon suitable guar
antces of protection TO citizens of our
own and other countries resident there
at the time of our withdrawal. set the
Filipino people upon their feet and free
and independent TO work out their own
destiny"
In his speech OF acceptance Judge
Parker said that the admirable plat
form" adopted by the democratic con-
ventiOn clearly states the principles
which were condemned in the first in
augural address Of President Jcffer-
son and points ont with force and di-
RICHNESS the course TO be pursued
through their proper application in or
der to insure needed reforms in both
legislative and administrative depart
menrs OF the government" He point
ed out that the platform guarantees
the enforcement for the benefit OF all
of mans inalicnabIc rights. among
which as said in the Declaration of In
are life. liberty, and the
pursuit of happiness" He said that il
was difficult to understand chow any
citizen of the United States. much less
q doscendcnt from revolutionary stock
can tolerate the thought of permanent
~ denying the right Of self-govern-
mcnt 10 the Filipinos." He admitted
that we are not al liberty to disregard
the responsibility we have in the Phil
ippines. but he added that the response
bility will be best subserved by pre-
pairing the islanders as rapidly as pos
sible for self-governmcnt. giving them
the assurance that it will come as soon
as they are reasonably prepared for it.
In the letter 10 Mr.. Milburn. Judge Par
ker did not change his position. He