Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 36, Number 106, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 2 September 1904 — Judge Parker As A Leader. [ARTICLE]

Judge Parker As A Leader.

If Julge Parker tikes the stump as the national democratic committee desire, it will be intiresting to follow his discussion of the issues o the camapign. The Democratic Convention at St. Louis avoided the financial isiue because the delegates coul 1 not agree «n a financial plank, but that convention d d take postive position on the tariff, Philipines, the trusts and other questions. was more tbin Judge Parker did in h's speech of acceptance. In that dignified utterance Judge Parker was uncertain and att’mes apologetic regarding the issues of the campaign. On the tariff be said:“l am for tariff revision but there need be no fear because my party cannot do anythirg to revise the tariff bei cause of a Republican Senate.” What further contribution on the tariff oan Judge Parker make if he goes on the stump? Will he stand with h's party and denounce Republican protection as robbery, as one of the greater evils of ths age and stilf admit that he and his party can and will do nothing to change this, if be should be elected?

On the trust question Judge Parker was still mote equivocal and uncertain, almost justifying the declaration of Bryan that his nomination ullitied thi trust plia'u ia th* St. Louis platform. Judge Parker in his speech of acceptance justified the complaint of trusts and said the common law was enough' to deal with them; the courts could apply the oommoa law, nothing more in law was needed, but if he was mistaken in this view, he was willing to be convinced of that mistake and act accordingly. Is this the great man who has been nominated by the Democratic party because of his superior wisdom,, his judicial balance, his far-seeing judgement and his incorruptible spirit? He was heralded as a leader who would lead, and yet on every question before the people to be iscussed in his cambaign, he has been halting and uncertain in his first expression, accepting the nomi. nation. His party bus boldly blazed the way but he as a leader his given no expression on any one question that would indicate that Jhe had a conviction beyond that he could as President fill the office with dignity, Judge Parker has already made his utterance on the tariff, the trusts, the Philippines questions and other questions and he has on all assumed the attitude of the young school teacher who said he believed the world was flat but was ready tc teach it round or flat as the patrons of the school desired . That is the leadership of Judge Parker. Nile is the meekest follower in the Demoratio racks.