The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1866-02-15
THE BRAVE mEMORIALIsTs

n u
Bsy. True manhood is indeed worth
possessing, but good common sense
seems decidedly more precious and
rare. In our last weeks issue we took
occasion to commend thespiritand sense
of justice that induced many members
of the Union party--at least that por-
ton of it who consider white man
quite as good as a negro--to sign me-
MORALS to the General Assembly, pray
ing repeal of the detestable Registra-
ton Law. Scarcely had we penned
our commentator Of this display of
common sense and manhood, before we
were apprised Of the fact that a small
number of the Union memoriaiats had
recanted, and asserted irignorancc Of
the real designs of those traitors who
we're debasing themselves in the eyes of
all loyal men by going about seeking
whom they might destroy, in having
their innocent victims sign simple
memorial to the Legislature asking that
every free American citizen (not Of
African descent) might exercise the
right of elective franchise. This is a
beautiful picture for free country, for
tolerant Maryland, to present to the adj
miration of the world Simply because
certain clique Of petty time-serving
politicians we're greatly offended BY this
honest display of proper appreciation
of the rights and immunities of the
citizen, these chicken-hearted memori-
alsts consented to do rank injustice TO
their own sincere convictions, and we're
willing to see their fellow-citizens bear
their disabilities and burdens until they
the brave memorialists-could have
time to recover their lost manhood and
common sense, with view, We hope, OF
acting better part in the future.
But it is gratifying to know that so
small a number ef the Union memori-
aists consented to debase themselves
by cowardly bending their necks to re-
ceiye the yoke of radicalism and &C.
knowledging, as certain parties seem
anxious to have it understood, that Car
roll county is owned by distinguished
individuals, who by Plutonic right, arc
entitled to will and 70 demand obedi.
ence TO their behests II must, indeed,
be truly delightful to be subject to this
patriarchial government, which, if il
dispenses favors, protection or benisons
in any reasonable proportion TO the des-
potism it imposes, must be a perfect re-
aliZation Of Utopia Yet we cannot but
feel that it's agovernmcnt within q
government, aud if for no other reason
We are constrained to oppose it, as the
recent war has decided such things &c
be unconstitutional and we accept the
issue. Or rather more candidly speak
ing, it is the dying ember of that dcs'
potsm which has swayed during the
recent struggle the uncertain destiny Of
the American citizen, by an exercise OF
all the appliances that unlimited power
and unrestrained vindictiyeness and
corruption could command.
Some, we are informed, assigned as a
reason for their recantation, that they
did not know the real object of the
memorial until after they had signed IT,
TO such as read the memorial, consist
ing Of seven or eight lines, aud could
not comprehend the Specification Of SO
many lines of simple English, we would
most respectfully say that it is quite
likely their comprchensions are very
decidedly dull, and they are therefore
pardonable in failing to understand that
any but themselves have rights that
may be and are grossly outraged by
members Of their own party, who pos.
sess about as much brains as Pilking-
ton and as much soul az Thad Stevens
But this is now at an end, thank God.
The factionists finding it impossible
TO have their opponents consider them
as political evangelists, or to recognize
their Provost Marshal power, they
would fain make an example of their
own beloved brethren, by teaching them
to know and feel that those who have
Rugged the odoriferous Sambo for 80
many years cannot now leave go with
out partaking Of his sable coloring and
his smell. Such reasoning may be Sc
ductiye, for it is undoubtedly true that
he who handles pitch will likely get
his hands blacked. We will neverthe-
less warrant that one breath of pure
Democratic sentiment will destroy their
disagreeable odor, and attendance at
one Democratic meeting, with firm
resolve to adhere to the true faith
thereafter, will whitewash them thor-
oughly, and make them decent men
forever in future.