Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1859-09-23
Political

ADDRESS
OF THE DEMOCRATIC STATE
CENTRAL COMMITTEE.

TO the People Of Maryland:
The Committee appointed by the late
State Convention of the Democratic party
Of Maryland, to supervise the campaign,
and take such steps as will best promote
the interests and success of the Demo-
cracy of this State, having in view the
great importance Of the contest upon
which VIC are now entering, desire to
place in as clear light as possible, be-
fore you, the true issues now made up
between the opposing organizations, each
of which claims your suffrages aud de-
mands y yoasr confidence.
1t is especially important that these
issues should be clearly stated and dis
tinctly understood. The consequences
of your decision at the election of No
yember next will be more apparent.
The Democratic party comes before
you, relying on public services, which
date from the foundation of the republic.
1t 2ropounds as true principles Of gov
eminent those which have received the
appreciation Of the great statesmen who
have advocated them in the past, which
have been proved by experience, and
have been tested by practice.
In announces no new discoveries in
the science of government it asks for
no experiments in the art of statesman
ship.
The few and simple tencts of its sub
lime faith are written in the hearts of all
men, and founded on the external laws
Of truth and justice. They are within
the comprehension and challenge the
sympathy of the humbIest citizen; while
they receive the appreciation and excite
the admiration of the most philosophical
statesmen and the most cultivated intel
lects. They were eliminated during the
great discussion Of the rights Of man,
which began in America before the pas
sage of the Stamp Act; and since the
adoption Of the Federal Constitution
been defended and propounded and APP
piled by succession of great and en-
| lightened men, whose mission has been
to discuss and illustrate them.
Founded on firm and mistaken con-
fidcnce in the virtue, intelligence and
patriotism of the American people, it
has insisted as consequence that all
citizens should be equal in the eyes Of
the law; that no distinction Of any kind
whatsoever should be made in favor or
against any one or any class, whether on
account Of birth, religion, property,
place of residence, or matter Of opinion.
It opposed protective systems, because
they gave bonus to one class at the ex-
pcnse of another. 1t opposed banking
monopolics, because they afforded oppor-
tunities for Legitimate uses Of credit,
allowing favored few to enjoy the pro-
fits Of the labor of the many. 1t OPP
posed any and all interference from any
quarter with the rights of any State or
Of its citizens. The people being capa-
bic Of sclf-govcrnmcnt, those constitut-
4 ing State are the best and only judges
Of their wants and necessities; therefore,
all agitations and discussions referring
to, and intended to operate upon, their
domestic affairs, by persons outside Of its
territory and having no voice in its 60
vernment, must be contrary to right
All citizens arc equal and have equal
rights; Therefore, in territory common TO
all, won BY the arms or bought by the
treasure Of all, each aud every ono should
enjoy the same rights Of property, Of
protection, Of participation in the affairs
Of government.
These propositions clncidate the posi-
ton Of the Democratic party on the sla-
very agitation, which has disturbed the
peace Of the Union for many years, and
now threatens to destroy that fraternity,
without which the confederation cannet
successfully progress.
The Democracy have opposed the sla-
very agitation. They have sought to
quiet it. by it, as party, they have