The Baltimore County union. [volume] (Towsontown, Md.) 1865-1909, 1866-06-30

Why is the Union Party of Maryland
Divided.

i
Why is the Union Party of Maryland
Divided.
We have been comparing notes a little. At
the meeting held in the Twelfth District of this
county, on the 18th instant the following reso-
luton was adopted EGAA ktk1
I" ResoIUed, That we are opposed to negro suf-
frage and negro equality, in whatever form the
same may be presented"
Resolutions similar to this have been adopted
in almost all the Districts where meetings have
been held At the " Unconditional Union -
Convention held in Baltimore on the 9th inst,
the following was unanimously adopted !: Is
&C ReSOEUed, That we are pledged to maintain
the present Constitution of Maryland, which ex-
pressly prohibits negro suffrage, &c. eai a
Here are two resolutions--one adopted by the
selfstyled % conservative wing y of the Union
party, the other by what is called the radical
wing of the same party. The conservatives sag
it is necessary to divide the party to pre-
vent negro suffrage in Maryland They kuoW
that no such question is in issue, nor can be ac-
cepted upon q proposition to alter the existing
Constitution they kaosc further that nine-tenths
of the so-called Radical Wing are as much
opposed to negro suffrage as they are. Is not
the resolution of the Baltimore Convention as
emphatic and much more practical than that of
the county meeting? One is opposed to ne
gro suffrage" the other is pledged to main
tain " the instrument they have made and en-
acted in spite of the opposition of the conserya-
tives, and which entirely disposeS Of the subject
in dispute 1t cannot be negro suffrage, then,
which divides the party, for there isfairly no diff
ference of opinion upon the question. We must
look for the real cause of division elsewhere
Experience teaches that when political party
ceases to have opposition from without, it will
soon find opposing elements within itself. When
a party becomes dominant the thirst for Office
BY more of its members than can be supplied
engenders factions which propose to rule or dis
rupt. Such factions are usually organized and
led by aspirants who have fallen into diSrepute,
politically, with their party. They do not go
before the people and say" we oppose our old
allies because they refuse to make US leaders and
give US all the places of emolument and power"
but they hatch some issue as pretext for sepa-
rate party organization. Usually they are shrewd
enough to find a subject upon which there is re-
ally difference of sentiment, but in this case
such difference of opinion exists upon the subject
which is made the osteasibIe cause of division
For the sake of pretext they charge the party they
have left with sentiments they have never held,
nor never will hold. There is no good cause of
division therefore, upon the subject Of negro
suffrage" and our opponents know it. Nor is
it the real question at issue it is only the dark
curtain behind which lies concealed the real OBJ
ject they have in view. Having lost caste in
the house of their friends, they now, like every
other seeding faction, bid for favor with their
ancient enemies. Cassius is invoked for help
lest they perish !; but Cassius cannot help until
they first help him, and the mode of help of Cas-
sius is the real issue. 1t is this
They say repeal the Registry Law.
We say-No.
The repeal or maintenance of this law is, with
out doubt, the question upon which the party is
divided Why do they not, in all candor and
fairness, SO declare. They propose to gather
strength as party by three modes-FirSt through
Governor Swami. BE was expected to neutral
ize the Registry Law, BY the appointment of
faithless officers to enforce it, hut they are not
sure of their ground Some utterances of that
gentleman have fallen like funeral pail upon
their hopes, and have thrown shadow upon
their bright prospects in this respect. They can
not rely safely upon such chance, and therefore
adopt as their second mode, the " Presidents
Policy" They are ardent, clamorous johnson
men, And well may they clamor, for did they
MT boldly proclaim If, the fact might never be
known that they were Mr.. JohnsonS adherentS.
They voted against him as Vice-PreSident, and
wIen treason murdered Abraham Lincoln, they
held up their hands in holy horror and said,
- the Government has fallen into the keeping of
a drunken tailor" We voted for johnson, and
mainly we still stand by him. The Union party
differs with him on some questions ofpolicy, but,
in truth, we are more his supporters than is the
"Johnson party of Maryland. His declara-
ton, and from which he has never abated a
word, that " loyal men alone should govern a
State or nation" is the sound doctrine we advo-
cate and which they oppose. Our opponents can
not sufficiently rely upon johnson, and therefore
try negro suffrage" This is the old story in
new terms; once the cry was sbolitionism." This
may be properly denominated the scare-crow
method of partisan trickery. fit could so hap
pen that every member of the Legislature was in
favor of negro suffrage, what could they do to
impose it on the State Just this-propose an
alteration of the State Constitution by striking
out the word white - in the sections qualify
ing elections and submit such proposition to the
people NIne-tenths Of the registered Uoters Of the
State soould reject 1t, and thus the De1ed question
put at rest. 81
In no other form can such proposition make
an issue in this State, and our opponents know it.
Why, then do they not abandon the senseless cry,
cease to sound a false alarm, and, avowing their
real purpose. stand or fall as consequence II
then succeed IN hberating the hank from the net IN
aohich he is ertangLsd he Wiu manifest has graft
tuds By at once pOuneing upon has dsliOsrsrs ana
Jeff Davis.