The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1866-11-15
OUR CONSISTENCY.

quently charged with inconsistency by
the Radicals; and some unrehecting
persons may have been induced to think
there was some truth in the charge
We should have alluded to. this subject,
long since, but disliked to intrudc our
own affairs upon the public. We trust,
under the circumstances, that we may
now be allowed to vindicate ourself from
charges made against us when a candl-
date. We maintain that we have been
entirely consistent, whilst our opponents
have been the most inconsistent Of men.
Weihave, moreover, been no half ray
man-haying been always most decided
in our convictions, and outspoken in
maintaining what we believed to be the
truth. In doing SO it has been our for
tune to act at times with different par
ties; kut an allusion to the circumstances
of the case will show no Inconsistency
in this. We have held the same politi-
cal sentiments amid all the shifting
scenes around us during the late turbu-
lent, times o1 e7g[. ai-ltas .l.e-.,,f ~
When the formation of the Republi-
can party in the North on sectional
grounds drove, the people of the South
to adopt an opposite platform and party,
we thought it was a wrong step, though
an exceedingly natural one. We,ncver
believed it good policy for any party to
initiate their adversarics in what is
yrong. The adherence of the Demo
ratio party offMaryland toithe Brock
lridge, OF Southern party, left us with
ut party in this State. The party
hich supported John Bell for. Presi-
ent in 1860 WIS then conservative,
md as our sentiments for the time be-
ag accorded with them, we could con-
sistcntly do nothing else than act with
them. They were ardently in favor Of
ther Crittenden Compromise, had voted
against Mr.. Lincoln, and bitterly de-
nounced the fanatical and sectional
course Of the, Black Republican, party.
IN 1863, we had the honor to draft res
olutions for the Union party Of Carroll
County, and We took care that they
should cmbody our true sentiments:
This was the platform Of the party that
year., tn it it was declared that We
we're ever ready to extend the hand of
fellowship to- our Southern brethren, as
sqoa as they voluntarily submitted, OF
were conquered by the Federal arms
the main idea of the Democratic Chicago
platform Of 1864. The doctrine was
also maintained that, in order to support
the government. it was not necessary to
Subscribe TO, TIE poidicaI prtacipjcs Of
tho, party IN powcr. 1t was also rcsolv-
ed IN favor of gradual, instead of inmc-
diate, emancipation in Maryland.
bWhen the Presidential election of
1864 was approaching, we discovered
signs of the party backing down from
their conservative position, and joining
the Republican party of the North. 1t
will be remembered with what eagerness
the Union party of Maryland rushed
into the embraces Of the Radical party
in1S64, and how ardently they have
since supported the principles of, the
party (which they had before condemned.
Now, We do not think there is doc
trine advanced by thes9most radical
which they are not prepared toapproro5
Yet these are they who 1denounce our.
course as Inconsistent 1di gci,goq 9a:i
In 1864, the nomination of Gen. Me
Clellan, a man after our own heart, gave
Us 1sj the opportunity, to yindicate the con
sistepcy Of our sentiment, and show our.
disapproyal ofthe political detection of
the union iisoG party, Of Maryland. At the
same time it gave to the masses of the
Democratic party of Maryland the first
chance to put themselves right on the
record, and nf they came up mapfully to
the platform aeen which we contend we
had always stood, and whence. tie Union
menl had Just departed with, hot haste
for the Radical ranks 49,
During the war we always maintain
eaothat9 the Secessionists had 1neeessafi
ly to be beaten in battle, or the Union
was gone, and that when the South
gave up the conflict, it would then aft.
ford 9 chance to punish the Republican
purity of the North at the Ballot box for
their share in Bringing on the country
this terrible war, and load of taxation.
We have arrived at that poiht,a and the
issue IS being .fairly made. rive have
strong faith in their overthrow, but ne
must drop the subject for tho present,
and BIl Teeurf ITO 1T Soon again.
10 1eaNrss9t New windsor seSstrf{lt 9iidN