The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1866-02-22
TO THE PUBLIC,

paA. Doubtless the change in the
management Of the "DEMocRATIc AD-
YocATE" announced in the above notice
by WILLIAM II. DAVIS, Esq, its late
Editor aud Proprietor, will be learned by
its patrons with surprise and regret
surprise, because sudden aud uncxpcc-
ted regret, because the ability and
zeal he had displayed In establishing an
excellent paper, as we'll as his uniform
courtesy and honorable character, had
cndeared him to all.
We can bear testimony to the reluc-
tance with which he severed the relation
between the patrons of the paper and
himself, under circumstances which,
when fully known, viii be considered
both honorable and justifablc; and we
are sure he will be followed by the best
wishes Of all in whatever new field Of
action, or relation in life, he may see
proper to engage.
We confess it was with some rcluc.
lance we consented TO assume his place;
and can only promise that our best Gu
deayors will be given TO maintain the
ADVOCATE and the cause it was ostab.
lshcd to support as well as our rcspcr.
ted predecessor.
When about TO leave the Office Of
Register Of Will, and casting about for
some business in which We could best
serve the public, and benefit ourself, we
had concluded, if 10 one anticipated us,
to occupy the field left open by the much
deplored destruction Of the Democrat"
Office Circumstances turned up which
required Instant action before We were
ready to embark in the enterprise; so
we hearty united with others in solici.
ting Mr.. Davis to engage in the bust
ness. lie had little time also given for
refeotionj and now, finding US willing
to accept, he has voluntarily, and with
out the least solicitation on our part,
resigned the establishment into our
hands.
1t is possible that some, who sec all
things from narrow point Of view,
knowing our past course, may charge us
with inconsistency; but we are prepared,
now, and at all times, to vindicate our
self from such imputations. We have
been always a consistent Democrat In
younger days We edited the Carrot
County Democrat for eight years-from
1910 to lSI8-having taken charge Of
it two years after its first establishment
by Mr.. Shiplcy In the string events
which preceded the late Civil War, and
which at last divided the good old Dem
ocratic Party-the last National party,
and last hope Of a peaceful Uniou-we
chung to the Northern Democracy, as
containing the only conservative and
compromise element. During the war
we set our face firmly still against the
ultraism of both the North aud the
South, as the mischieyous cause which
had made the war, and still famed it
into fury; and, whilst endeavoring to do
our duty in those terrible times, always
Disseminated between proper support
Of the Government, and blind and I'M
reasoning adherence to the political
principles Of the Northern party unfor-
tunately in power.
When Gen. Mcclellan was nominated
for President in 1864, and when the
Union party of Maryland, abandoning
its former conservative position, rushed
franticaily into the embraces Of the Re
publican party, we gave to Gen. McClel.
Ian our unqualified support believing
firmly that his election would suddenly
break down the rebellion, and produce
an instantaneous reunion and reconcilia-
ton between the warning sections.
Now, in the progress Of changing
events and rise OF new political issues, we
find the war at an end, the South suing
for peace and reunion; yet the same
radical Northern party which first pro-