The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1866-10-04
Hon. 4. THOMAS.

Hon. Il. Thomas.
We have heretofore attempted to
show that our present member Of Con
gress was uusuited to represent our peo.
pie, because he is incapable of exercising
that noble and generous spirit of for
givencss towards the South which is 20
necessary to reconcile them TO their
condition as conquered people, and to
r-festorc our whole people to their ancient
state of harmony and good will.
4 Next in Importance to this, Dir.
Thomas is irreconcilably opposed, as We
think, TO the mass Of our people, on the
vital issue now pressed for decision on
the American people by Northern IA
natics-we mean negro equality aud
negro suffrage. On this subject We see
the irreprcssiblc conflict still being
urged as distinctly and uureIentingly
rs it was against slavery itself and we
cannot doubt it will be pressed to con
clusion sooner or later In the former
case we can understand how the unity,
aud the very existence of the nation in.
surcd the overthrow Of slavery; but
we cannot see now how that powerful
agency can be made to work to secure
the success of the fanatics in the second
conflict now commenced. This is q
matter Of great Importance to our peo.
pie in the selection Of their representa-
tives in Congress, as it is an issue that
cannot be eyaded, aud one on which it
is their duty TO decide according 10 the
principles Of truth aud justice We
cannot now enter into the discussion Of
the merits of this question but we as
sumo that our people have already de.
cidcd it Alright; and that is in direct
opposition TO the well ascertaincd views
of their representative.
We know that the Maryland Radicals
have taken the ground in this campaign
that negro suffrage is not now in issue,
the constitution Of the State allowing at
the present only white suffrage; but we
know that the question is forcing itself
for decision upon them aud us, and that
their present position is only a subter-
fugc to prevent the division Of their par
ty, and that they know the time will
soon come when they must decide. We
know that was the question which mar
red the harmony Of the late Radical
Convention at Philadelphia that caused
the delegates from the North to refrain
from participating in the convention
that caused the delegates from the hor-
der Southern States, after succeeding
in dodglpg the issue, to decamp in haste
from the Convention and leave the uu-
compromising advocates Of negro sut-
frage to bear the responsibility Of adopt
ing the address and resolutions in its
favor. We know too that Judge Bond,
of the Maryland delegation, offered res
olutions in its favor which, at least,
showed that the Delegates from Mary
land were not unanimous in choking of
the issue
It will not do for Mr.. Thomas TO as
sert his opposition to it now, and expect
people to believe it to be genuine or
lasting His record is too well known
His vote to impose negro suffrage on
the white people Of the District Of Co
lumbia against their will almost unani-
mously expressed, is well known. The |
people Of that District have no reprcsen-
tatiyes but those chosen to Congress by |
other people; and if Mr.. Thomas, more
particularly their representative as hail
ing from Maryland, from which that
district was taken, should so plainly |
disregard the expressed will of the
white people of the District on that sub
ject, what security would we have that
he would not do the same towards our
people, when occasion arises. In fact,
has he not supported all the Congress
sional schemes on the negro question to
punish and humiliate the South, all of
which have affected Maryland equally
with the South We might specify the
Frecdman's Bureau Bill, tho Civil |
Rights Bill, and the last proposed |
amendment to the Constitution, which |
threatens Maryland with the loss Of one
fourth other representation in Congress,
unless her people will agree to allow
negroes to vote. Weare burdened with
colored population, whose, freedom
has lost to the State some thirty mil |