The true Democrat. [volume] (Bayou Sara [La.]) 1892-1928, 1916-04-15

In his recent formal letter to certain
citizens Of Natchitoches, Mr.. Parker
says Il am Progressive, The policy
of my administration will be non-parth
san and uon.polltical," This Ia mar.
veIous feat. Mr.. Parker promises TO
perform. TO be non. partisan Ii diff
cult, but to be non-politlcal Is impos
sible. II liz to govern without govern.
| Ing. rule without ruling administer
without administering see Century
Dictionary Really Mr. Parker should
promise only the possible, or rather
get his friend 7. Roosevelt to blue
pencil his writings. for Roossyeltlan
English IL correct. though idiomatie.
In the letter referred 10 In the fore
gems. Mr.. Parker shows strong
desire 10 throw of the ballast that Is
Weighing him 80 heavily, He says,
Il am not going to build up political
machines but TO break them
| de- not want the support OF the negro
or his vote. Even though IL
were In my power | would not turn
this State over to the Republican party
OF which | am not and never expect TO
be- a member"
This IL indeed throwing of ballast
With vengeance And II is that only
For how can Mr. Parker break up ma
chimes without building up some sort
of al organization? The sad failure
Of Luther +. Hall Is sufficient answer
TO such proposition, unless MIR Parker
feels that he Is Perseus or Hercules
In human form Rather he Is like a
child blowing bubbles. which however
iridescent and beautiful, are destined
TO instant collapse,
As for Mr. Parker's not wanting "the
support Of the negro or his vote, this
will not prevent negroes who have duly
qualified from voting for him never
theless. nor does IL shut the door Of
hope 20 the negro sho sees the forma
ton OF an anti Democratic party. an
opening for the expression OF his politi.
cal sentiments. Mr.. parker's wish TO
abolish the white primary In Louisiana,
although his own party II II be a
party Is committed 10 the direct pri.
mary. Is a still stronger incentive 10
the negro TO vote Under the secrecy of
the Australian ballot. These conclu.
siens are unacceptable, The negro voter
IL his. nolens voleus.
As for Mr. parker's not being a Re.
publican, this Ia mere qalbble about
names. In the face of facts The Pro
gressive party is an offshoot OF the
Republican party, with practically the
same ideas and policies, and unless a
miracle occurs meanwhile will be re.
absorbed by the Republican party In
June Does MIR. Parssr's announce.
ment. that he does not expect TO be
member" of the Republican party. In
dieate another one of his lightning
changes In polities7 Does he mean TO
say that he will not follow Theodore
Roosevelt. twhose way In being pased1
back into the Republican party in June
This is indeed an important admis-
slon, II correct, ba, those personss who
have made a study of Mr.. parkers
erfatie course politically will conclude
that IL Is only another attack OF flying
the track" Mr. Roosevelt will surely
put him on again.
But II Mr. Parker Is serious. Il Ia
then necessary to revise all Of the cen.
illusions made relative to his reasons
for entering the present campaign. He
played Warwick for the goyernorshIp
in 1919. when he could have had II
himself Later he deserted Gov. Hall
In Theodore Rooseyelt's behalf, when
by sticking. he could have given the
bosses knockout blow In the follow.
Ing city campaign, lie has been In.
active In reform legislation during the
past three years Hence when he
plunges into fight with the slogan OF
Down with the bosses" the logic of
II Ia that he Ia doing II for Roosevelt
lie denies this inference. saying Even
though IL were In my power | would
not turn this State over to the Repnb.
liean party"
Then In the name OF all that's true,
what are his IntentionsY II Ia not alone
to destroy the bosses. Eie could have
fought tina, out four years ago under
beat possible conditions n IL be not
for Theodore's sake. then there Ii bur
one other conclusion to make. and that
Is. that II is In the liquor interests he
10 working But those interests are
no longer ieepardized. and II Is hard 30
believe that q man as intelligent as
Mr. pafsaP wn,ild make SD mich ada