'The scarcity of war news led the papers just received irom the United States to devote considerable space to the Presidential campaign just commencing. No doubt is felt' a5 to the nomination of President Roosevelt by the Republicans, and the belief, apparently, of most of the organs of public opinion is that Chief-Justice Parker is more likely to be chosen by the Democrats than Mr. Heuyt. The latter gentleman, however, who has only come into prominence recently, has gained much popularity among the masses vf the people by the manner in which he, 4 wealthy man, contends for the rights the people, both at home and abroad, and there are not wanting capable judges the situation who are confident that the Hearst movement is rapidly gaining screngtt, ind that Mr. Hearst as a very good prospect of being nominated by the Democratic Party. Chere is, however, another sort of comment the Hearst candidacy by those who are so strongly opposed to it that they do not hesitate to assert that i is an affront to hhis is the opinion of the New vening Post" as is shown by the editorial, which has been copied by influential papers in all sections of tie Hearst stands to-day, in fact, as the greatest temptation to the Democratic Party we play the fool and break its neck again. Almost any other candidate prominently mentioned would have a chance of eledcion, and could ye honour even in defeat; but, Hearst is enough to sink any cause and damn any party. Zt ig more than Democrats, it is true, have for wishing to prevent their party from being disgraced; but there 1s a large question of patriotism involved, us to ich Republicans also should show that they ate sensitive. The country cannot afford to have its insignia of honour trailed in the mund of the market-place. That would be a calamity to all honest citizens of any party. We have not yet reached the point where we can be indifferent. to the spectacle of an aspirant for our highest office being an Alcibiades without talent or courage or personal charm, aiid with little but profligacy to entitle him to the name... agitator we cin endure; an honest radical We can respect; a fanatic we can tolerate but-a low voluptumy trying to sting his Jaded sonses to a fresh thrill by tuning irom private to public corruption, is a new horror in American politics. To sot the hee! of contempt upon it must be the impulse of all honest, men.
The " Evening Bulletin" of Philadelphia, asserts that the most zealous supporters of Mr. Hearst are to be found among the Democrats all over the country who acknowledge Mr. Bryan as their leader. The belief that Mr. Bryan himself is encouraging the movement is widespread. W quote as follows:—3 The Democratic candidate of 1896 and 1900 has heretofore bad the credit of being an honest man with a sense of personal and private decency. However radical, foolish, or visionary his economic or political ideas have been, there has bean a disposition to concede to him the merit of sincerity. His friends and apologists have contended that be was not a man to be bought or corrupted, that his bands were clean, and that he at least deserves respect on this score. But even this remnant of Bryan's reputation is now in danger in view of the of the "understanding " and "alliances" which are ascribed to him in connection with the candidaey of Hearst. There has seldom been an equally brazen attempt to push a man notoriously unfit for the Presidency as the tone which the agents of this rich demagogue are now carrying on in the midst of the demoralised condition of the Democratic party. Such a combination of boodle and gall would be ridiculous were it not for the fact that it has already influenced a good many main chance Democrats here and there ud for the possibilities that it may cut a figure at the St. Louis Convention through the ce-operation of Bryan in carrying out his policy of rule or ruin. The 16 to 1 champion may be entitled to some respect an Uonest fanatic in his stubbornness, but when he gets so low down as to hold commerce with the promoters of the "Hearst boom," ho sacrifices all claims to consideration or tolerance from anybody who has the slightest regard for even the elements of public decency.
Parker's candidacy, asserts that the nearest The same paper, referring to Jud;
approach to a regularly organised canvass which is going on in every quarter is the movement on his behalf, which is under the special guidance and direction of David B. Hill. The following is part of its leading article on the subject truce with Tammany, Parker will have' the If Hill shall succeed in patching up a solid delegation from New York behind him and will at once become by far uke most formidable of the candidates whose names are now likely to go before the 3!. Louis convention. Tammany up to this time has not shown ite hand, except in opposition to Hill's control of the delegation and is min a ition by which it is entirely free to commit itself to Parker if a bargain can be struck with Hill in the management of State politics in New York. It is not improtihle, if Justice Parker shall be ultimately mide the beneficiary of such an arrangement, that the entire opposition in the Democratic party to the Bryan and Hearst programme will concentrate upon him. In the absence of any candidates outside of New York who have a hold on the general sentiment of the party, any candidate who has the New York delegation solidly behind him will loom up as the most important factor in the ome: tion. 'The Parker boom at least has more Iny other which' now in sight in. the mises of healthy possi in it than
generally demoralised and drifting condition of the Democracy throughout the country.
The "Chicago Chronicle" does not believe in the possibility of Judge Parker becoming President, and pertinently asks: "What is the use of nominating a man who cannot be elected?" The "Chronicle" makes the following disparaging remarks anent his candidature Aside from Mr. Cleveland the man mos. frequently spoken of as a possible Democratic candidate for the Presi this year is Judge Parker of New York. In view of the fact that the judge aspires to a high office and that if he shall be nominated for the place he must needs have the favou~ large number of his fellow citizens, seem to be no more than reasonable thut entitled to the particular attention of such some statement as to his opinions should be made at an early date. 'The fact' that none has been made as yet, although his candidacy has been in progress for a year or more probably indicates that none will be forthcoming. While Judge Parker has been on the New York bench for some yours, his position on the important questions of the day has never been so much as hinted at by anyone authorised to speak for him. 'The most that has been said of him is that he has regularly voted the Democratic ticket, which, under: the circumstance, is no te: commendation at all. Many a man has voted the Democratic ticket regularly who is better' fitted for the asylum than he is for "he executive mansion at Washington. If Judge Parker expects to find his views on pubic questions in a hastily and trickily drawn platform at St. Louis he is hardly of presidential stature. If he has views and for any reason ig reluctant to express them he is not of presidential stature. This is a time for men of high purpose and strony convictions. The voters who will elect the next President will nob be deceived by trimming and dodging, no matter how cleverly it may be done.
The same paper in ite article on "Mr Roosevelt az a Candidate" asserts that the idea prevalent in some Democratic circles that he is not going to be a very formidable candidate has no foundation in fact. We take the following reference to the question from its columns negative strength as well. He will Pol tte Mr, Roosevelt has positive strength and
regular straight-out vote of his party beyond question, The attitude of Independents and of Democrats who have not supported the Chicago and Kansas City platforms and candidates will depend altogether upon what is done at St. Louis in July. There is no Uisposition in any well-informed quarter to question Mr, Roosevelt's honesty or patriotism or ability or force. He has shown that he is the possessor of all these, Such criticism as has been passed upon him has been due the main to temperamental traits which would not be considered by most independent voters if his antagonist were " fanatic or a crank or a demagogue. Mr. Roosevel Positive strength lies in the fact that he is enthusiastically admired by the rank, and file of his party, while among the yider leaders everything in the nature of active hostility has died out. His negative strength is due to the fuct that if populistic ideas axe to control at St. Louis it will be very easy for independents to ignore such objections to him as they may have entertained and to support him not perhaps us their ideal but as immeasurably preferable to any reaction ary who might be presented. There is only one way in which Mr. Roosevelt can be given even an imitation of a fight this year, and that is by a Democratic nomination which will appeal to the conservative elements of the country. With a Bryan or any yellow pupil of a Bryan running against him he Will be elected by a majority bigger than Mr. McKinley received in either of his campaigns. An unfit nomination at St. Louis ued not be excused in advance on the' theory that the Republican candidate is not strong with the people and that this will be a good year to try another foolish experiment. Mz. Roosevelt is 60 much stronger than any populistic demagogue who can be named that in such a contest he would have a walk-of a lover. These are considerations which every-it would body should bear in mind, but they are
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.