American Republican and Baltimore daily clipper. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1844-1846, 1846-08-29
amerttan Republican,
AND
BALTIMORE CLIPPER.
SATURDAY MORNING, AUG. 20, 1916.

noses and another for private transactons-and
tbus do or sanction as politicians, what they
would scorn to be guilty Of or approve, as pri-
vate individuals. But is this distinction JUST
are not falsehood, trickery and cheating, equal
" as culpable in the one case as in the other!
Where do we find authority for the establish
ment or recognition of these different codes Of
morality? Not certainly in the Book which we
profess to take as our guide in religion and mo-
rails. There we are taught not to "bear false
witness" against our neighbor-that IS, against
any one; and our own laws are framed in the
same spirit-hut this Injunction is totally dis
regarded in party matters, and by those who
otherwise bear the stamp Of "honorable men. y
To traduce political opponent-to misrepre-
cent his principals, or to assail his private repu-
tation, are thought to be perfectly consistent
with political morality. His defeat being the
great object aimed at, all means to accomplish
the object are considered justifable-and from
this cause it is, that so many mon Of pure
characters and elevated regulations, decline to
serve the public as legislators. They shrink
from coming into contact with the corrupt
practices Of parties. No matter how estimable
a man may he in private life-how honest in
his dealings with others-how pure in his mo-
rals-or how conscientious in the discharge of
ais duties to his God and to his fellow meA let
him once be brought before the public as can
didate, and he becomes at once the object of at
tack and of vile vituperation. If no direct
charge can be made against him, his reputation
is blackened by insinuation and surmise. The
brighter his reputation, the more necessary that
it shall be assaled. And all this is sanctioned
by political morality. 1t is lamontable that
men Of good standing in society can be Undue
ed to lend their aid to this system Of depravity.
1t has the natural effect of keeping the intell-
gent and worthy in private life, and of eevat-
arg to undeserved eminence the ignorant and
The worthless. From this cause we have men
sent 10 make laws who can hardly read or
write-and have parties ruled by the reckless
and INSCRIPTIONS, who seek their own ad-
vancement regardless of the public interests. -
Parties must exist, we admit; but then they
should be conducted upon high and honorable |
principles principles which should stamp the
political knaye with the same infamy that
would attach to the knave IN private affairs.
VOLUNTEER COMPANIES. Every encourage
ment should be offered by the Legislature, to
the formation of uniform volunteer companies,
for in such alone can military tactics and dis
cipline be preserved, The man who joins
volunteer company, and incurs the expense of
equipping himself, will take pride in acquir
ing a knowledge of military discipline, and in
making himself perfect in his duty. Uniform
companies would, therefore, be a most efficient
arm of defence in case of necessity. They per-
formed valuable service during the last war
with England and are safe guardians under all
exigencies We rejoice, then, when we see
their increase in the city Of Baltimore, and the
revival of the military spirit which formerly
distinguished our city. But whilst we SO
highly prize the volunteer companies, for the
public spirit which they have manifested, and
would have every encouragement offered for
tlICli NC CulIilOL fCIp lOillul bl4uL
all efforts to discipline the militia, by calling
out and drilling them some three or four times
in the year, must utterly fail. Hence genera
militia law, having in view the enrolment and
muster of all citizens between the ages of is
and As, must prove nugatory. 1t has been
tried and proved unsuccessful in every State of
the Union, We believe. Certainly in Maryland
it has heretofore proved a most signal failure.
Its only effect is, to harrass the community,
and compel men to lose several days labor in
The year, who can scarcely afford the loss. IN ;
stead Of exciting military spirit, it produces a
feeling Of disgust-for such parades are farcica {
in the extreme. We have witnessed them Of.
ten, and could but admire the diversity of fire.
arms used Here man presented cane to
The Brigade nspector--there another was
armed with cornstalk-and then umbrellas
we're seen in abundance. As the inspector
passed down the line, the men lazily arose from
their seats on the grass, and resumed their pc
sitions when he had passed. 1t was ludicious
in the eXtreme-and it would have been much
better TO have permitted them to remain at
home engaged in their several occupations
FOR many years past the militia laws of this
State remained as dead letter upon the statute
conviction appearing to be gen
eral that they could not be revived with any
advantage to the public. For Baltimore, special ,
laws have from time to time been enacted, but :
with little better Success than has attended the
general law. An effort is now being made to
revive the city iaws-ehrollments have been
made, and summonses issued, for parade on
{ he l2lh of next month Int We consider the