River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1904-11-03
AN ABSURD BUGAB00
DEMOCRATIC CRY OF MMPERl.
ALISM" AN INSULT.
Parker's Expressed Alarm Over the
Power of the President and Fear OF
What Republicans VIII Do Is Mere
~ Amusing Twaddle.

OF all the absurd bugaboos in politics
the most ridiculous one is that produced
by the Democrats and labeled imperial
ism" which, as applied at present. is
designed to carry the idea of a Republi-
can being Dictator" instead of Presi-
dent. The suggestion is OF itself child
ish; still, when uttered through human
megaphones of the Democratic party, il
acquires hearing if not an Importance.
Judge Parker, in his letter Of accept
ance, declares imperialism "a vital is
sue and of overwhelming importance"
simply because the growth of the ma
ton under successful Republican admin
istrations has been so vast and rapid as
to require system in its management
business-like conceptions and executions
of purposes. This is an memorable con-
dltlon for success in national as well as
In individual affairs; but the Democrats
cannot or will not submit to it. Central
ization OF power does not mean usurpa-
ton, but does show the Republicans are
not leaving loose ends around in their
sagacious management of public matters.
No State can truthfully complain that
their rights or dignities have suffered
from federal interference; that would be
usurpation to be instantly resented by
each and every State in the Union as
matter of self-preservation.
Why Democrats Are Wroth.
Because a Republican Congress and a
Republican President, managing the Re
public for a Republican majority of the
people, conducted the government as a
business proposition Of the vastest mag
nitude, using no means except good com
mon sense and the powers delegated by
the national constitution and because
the Democrats never have and never will
do the same however much they may
promise, is the plain reason for their
cutlery of imperialism" This conserva-
ton of utilities for public good and en-
plOyed by the nations business manag-
ers maddens the Democrats, because they
have been impotent with their opportu-
| mites. Judge Parker is alarmed at the
power of the President. 1T almost
equals that of many monarchs," he de-
| clares. Why should it not? 1t is under
| constitutional limitations, and coralled
| by a Gordon of States and the will of the
| people. If Democratic President were
| up-to-date and regarded the welfare of
| the nation as more important than that
of his party, would he not be likely to do
as the Republicans have done? If he
failed to try he would be recreant to his
trust, but not perhaps, to his party.
But Judge Parker goes farther in his
fear of what Republicanism may do for
the country. In doing this he deliberate
ly insults that majority of the people
who have believed in the Republican
party, whose principles and practice
have, in the last forty-less eight-years
made the United States what it is to-
day. He writes: THE magnitude of the
country and it's diversity of interests and
population" diversity of population APP
plies to honest-ideaed foreigners who
have come here to be rid of dictators and
imperiaists, to men who should resent
at the polls this imputation against their
patriotism-"would enable a determined,
ambitious, and able executive (that does
not mean a Democrat, but Mr.. Roose-
velD unmindful of constitutional limita-
tons and fired with the lust Of power TO
go far in the usurpation Of authority and
the ACKNOWLEDGEMENT Of personal power be-
fore the situation could be fully appre-
ciated or the people be aroused" Such
an utterance is twaddle; there is not
sign of craftsmanship about it. 1t is a
wOrnout Democratic echo from Gen.
Grants political campaigns. 1t might
not be worth thinking about had not the
chairman of the Democratic State Cen
trail Committee OF Connecticut brought
out the same sentiment in saying of the
Connecticut Democrats fear be
(RoosevelD may become ambitious to
carve out for himself place in history,
| and that in doing this he may embroil us
with foreign nations" This indicates
unity of echo but no one is scared
but the Democrats. But they insult
those of our citizens of alien descent by
intimating that Mr.. Roosevelt might
steal the government without their sus-
pecting anything Of the kindly assert
| ing that it is, even now, supported as
| it is by foreign-born and native voters,
'beneicent despotism."
Mr.. Roosevelt does not agree with this
view Of the situation. He has written:
1--WE have striven both for civic right
eousness and for national greatness and
| we have faith to believe that our hands
will be upheld by all who feel love Of
country and trust in the uplifting of man
kind" Mr. Roosevelt's sentiments are,
all Of them, those of a patriot; against
him are those Of political tricksters and
demagogues.