Clarke courier. [volume] (Berryville, Va.) 1869-1997, 1904-09-28
JUDGE PARKER'S
LETTER Of ACCEPTANCE

Sept 20. 1904
To the Hon. Champ Clark and Others.
Committee. Etc.
Gentlemen-In my response 10 your
committee at the formal notification
proceedings referred To some matters
not mentioned I'm this letter. desire
that these be considered as incorporate
ed herein. and regret that lack OF space
prevents specific reference 10 them
ALL wish here. however. again 10 refer
TO my views there expressed as 10 the
gold standard. 10 declare a-ain my I'M
qualified belief in said standard and TO
express my appreciation OF the action
OF the convention in reply 80 my com
munication upon that subject.
Grave public questions are pressing
for decision. The Democratic party
appeals 20 the people with confidence
that lis position on these questions will
be accepted and Endorsed an ;hc polls.
While the issues involved are numer-
Gus. some stand forth pre-cminent in
the public mind. Among these are
tariff reform. Imperialism. economical
administration and honesty I'm the pub
lie service / shall briefly consider
these and some others within the nee
essarily prescribed limits OF this letter
Imperialism.
While l presented my views ut the
notification proceedings concerning this
vital issue. the overshadowing lmpor-
lance Of this question impels me 10 re
Ter 10 it again. The issue is often
times referred 10 as constitutionallsm
versus imperialism.
II we would retain our liberties and
constitutional rights unimpaired we
cannot permit or tolerate nj any time
or for any purpose the arrogation OF
unconstitutional powers by the execu-
tive branch OF our government. We
should be ever mindful OF the words
OF Webster. Liberty is only 10 be pre-
served 10y maintaining constitutional
restraints and n Just division OF polit-
zeal powers"
Already the national government has
become centralized beyond any point
contemplated or imagined 10y the
founders OF the constitution. How ire
mendously all this has added TO the
1
oped from year TO year until II almost
equals that OF many monarchs While
the growth Of our country and the mag
nitude OF interstate interests may seem
10 furnish a plausible reason for this
Capitalization OF power, yet these same
facts AFFORD the most potent reason
why the executive should not be per
mitted TO encroach upon the other de-
partments OF the government and as
sumo legislative or other powers not
expressly conferred 10y the constitu-
ton.
The magnitude OF the country and
its diversity of interests and popula-
ton would enable n determined, ambl-
tious and able executive, unmindful Of
constitutional limitations and fired
with the lust OF power, 10 go far in
the usurpatiOn Of authority and the
ACKNOWLEDGMENT of personal power be-
fore the situation could be fully appre-
ciated or the people be aroused.
The issue OF Imperialism which has
been thrust upon the country involves
decision whether the law of the land
or the rule Of individual caprice shall
eC'NAAs AAAN pAAl4N4lf4G VI
may give rise TO brilliant, startling,
dashing results, but the principle of
democracy holds in check the brilliant
executive and subjects him TO the so
Der, conservative control of the people.
The people of the United States
stand at the parting Of the ways.
Shall we follow the footsteps of our
fathers along the paths of peace. pros
perity and cOntentment, guided by the
ever living spirit of the constitution
which they framed for us. or shall we
go along other and untred paths hith-
erto stunned by all. following blindly
new ideals which. though appealing
with briiliancy 90 the Imagination and
ambition. may prove "a will-o -the-wisp,
leading us into difficulties from which
II may be impossible 10 eNtricate our
selves without lasting injury 10 our
national character and inStitutionsF
The Tariff and Trusts.
Tariff reform is one Of the cardinal
principles of the Democratic faith, and
the necessity for il was never greater
than at the present time 1t should be
undertaken at once in the interest Of
all our people.
The Dingley tariff is excessive in
many Of Its rates and. as TO them at
least uDjustly and Oppressively bur
dens the people. Ii secures to domes-
tic manufacturers. singly or in combi-
nation, the privilege of exacting ex-
cessive prices at home and prices far
above the level of sales made regular
ly by them abroad with profit. thus
giving bounty To foreigners at the
expense OF our own people 1t levies
oppressive and unjust taxes upon
many articles forming in whole or part
the so called raw material of many
OF our manufactured products, not on
ly burdening the consumer. but also
closing 10 the manufacturer the mar
kets he needs and seeks abroad. Its
unjust taxation burdens the people
generally. forcing them TO pay excess