The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1868-08-11
POLITICAL AFFAIRS IN MARYLAND.

The Presidential Campaign in Marylnnd--Rnd-
ical Deuocrats-The Conservative Move
ment ard its Defeat-Who Are the Office
holders s--Rcbel MISUNDERSTANDING Of the
| Conservutives-Socal Condition Of Society
Affected by nj Affairs.
BALTIMORE, August Q, 1868.
am not silly enough to suppose what excited
selfinterested partisans-say
ia all gospel. The ceaseless theme Of democrats
through their journals and orators is that the safety
OF our country depends upon the success OF their
party. Those in opposition likewise preach the same
doctrine. am not q believer-nOr is any sensible
manthat political party constituted as parties
now are preserve the integrity unity and safety
of nation like ours; nor should its destnies be
entrusted to such keeping There is no class Of
in whom less reliance can be placed than in polti
cians They are all demagogues, selfambitious,
untruthful and not to be trusted Falsehood and
misrepresentation belong to their profession.
They are INSCRIPTIONS, and in nine cases
out of ten dishonest 1t is the cry now
oil the democrats, from Seymour down TO the
lowest pothouse brawler that their Presidential
candidate must be elected and the country placed
in the keeping OF democracy, or all is lost Whether
this party be triumphant not there may still rest
an abiding faith that are safe. Extreme radical
ism is playing the senseless game. These peo-
pie write and talk if the great sovereign masses
who vote were fools.
In this State and city similar course was pur-
sued which proved effective in causing change
and we now ruled by the men-radcal demo-
crats-who proclaimed social and political destruc-
ton unless they got into power They obtained
control, and instead OF things being better they
worse. There is more pronigacy less honesty and
patriotism, with greater extravaganza and a worse
condition Of society, socially and politically, than
even under the EXTREMIST phase Of fanaticsm. IT,
therefore, the central government should fall into the
keeping of party such at present existing here
shall have departed widely from either pleasant
congenial state OF affairs. Let Inc come, then, to
the facts and reasons upon which found these as
sertions
Our people some two years ago, or soon after the
closed, were grossly deceived. Those conserva-
lively inclined, who had been Union men and sus-
tanned the government, either by money or by TAX
ing part directly or indirectly in the army, being
anxious for peace consented 10 unite in a
sentative movement with the democracy. BY this
means q controlling power i'm pubic affairs was
finally secured against the then existing extreme
faction. II was supposed we had c0mpacted COM
bination. strong, patriotic and loyal that would go
for burying the Ratchet; whose members would for
get and forgive, let bygones be bygOnes and hence
forward act in confidence and candor towards each
other Unfortunately soon as our democratic allies
discovered their strength finding they could muster
recruits from other sOurcesthe absolute rebels and
their sympathzers-they broke faith, ignored con-
scrvatves and went in for warming the old serpent
"locofocoism'-intO new life. This they did, and
tated. Straght-oui democrats were elected to al
most every Office in the State-eXcepting many
returned rebels-whlch tney now M and IN not
conservatives were any longer respected, shown the
least favor or given the slightest chance. SO great
indeed the desire to appease traitors fresh from
Jefr Davs' dominions and Lees army that good and
true men, democrats as well as conservatives and
moderate republicans, were set aside and totally
overlooked in the dispensing OF official and other
favors 10 has now become almost patent that unless
an applicant for office can establish beyond rcasona-
/
rebel army warmly supported that cause, In SYM
pathy or substantially he need not hope for advance
ment, scarcely respectful notice. The judges OF all
our courts were uncompromising secessonists, one
| OF them graduating in Fort Warren, the other on
General Lees STAFF All the clerks and sub0rdinates
OF these judicial tribunals are similar in Southern
proclivities. not few of whom down in Dixie
during the rebellion. The Sheriff Davis also had
his turn in Fort Warren for alleged dsoyalty. Thus
it Will he the Baltimore judiciary, as IL Is Ike
what was the rebeIlious class. How secure oyal
may be when brought before II, with bitterness
OF feeling still existing and what their chances are
for strict, even-handed justice Is more easily mag
| iued than realized.
Our municipal government seems almos. like
transfer TO the Monumental City OF Jef Davis Rich
mond clerks, Mosoy's men, Lees soldiers and Stone
wall Jacksons pets. The different departments are
literally packed with such parties officials. Mayor
Banks himself was and is thorough southern
synpathizer. His private secretary commanded
rebel regiment and his special confidential messen-
ger fought four years under the guerilla MOsby
10 destroy our country Ills city counsellor and
secret adviser pronounced feverish speech in favor
soon afterwards betook himself to Dixie remaining
there as Judge Advocate to convict and punish Union
men until after Lees surrender. These are only
few OF such officials. Many more might be men.
toned They are legion and swarm like bees every
where. One would suppose we were an asylum for
rebel refugees Who falling 10 Destroy now come as
pensioners upon our public bounty. This extraordi-
nary favortism, however, shown to these sefexpa-
triated individuals, has already begun to cause ser
ous dissatisfaction, even among the democrats
themselves. The home boys who worked hard in
| expectancy OF getting some return 10y way of APP
no, u
neglected. and some first rate broken down Dixie
soldiers filing the places they worked for voted for
and hoped TO Obtain. THIS has Caused very serious
neutrality-suspicious. loud and strong-aDd the
indications are It must sadly reduce the number OF
votes heretofore calculated upon for seymour and
Blair Ultimately, and before very long, II will un-
questionably overthrow The democratic party in
Maryland.
The social condition of society owing to this as
cendancy Of rebel sentiment, IS, assure you far
from beng pleasant Il Is melancholy truth that
IN consequence thereof those who were aud still
loyal 10 their country, who supported the Union
cause, took active part IN the federal army. are
almost Obliged 10 deny their opinions refrain from
expressing them in apprehension OF being either
tabooed In society or ostracised m business Adeaer
who hopes al all FOR custom from seccssoniss has TO
Keep shady. In social walks or where friends
are assembled conversation cannot be carried on
ten minutes without something ofrcusive nelng sad
against either the government, the Union or those
WHO support IL. Northern people and those who pro-
claim themselves loyal ana no conrenia companion
ship when rebels are present. IL has become almost
liked purpose TO break down and drive out, by with
holding patronage from them, men who openly de-
clare their preference for Grant and Cofax. The
same naughty. disoyal and overbearing spirit mani.
tested during the war, but then curbcd to some
extent by fear now prevails openly boldly. There
are many Union men, under these circumstances
who refrain rom taking any active part in politics.
Others again are passive. IL s altogether most nm.
comfortable condition OF affairs, CALLING 10 the in
most souls OF citizens who were born TO independ
ence. When the democrats hold meetings they can
scarceN raise an aumence, liness IL IL announced
, some rampant, freeattng rebel general or
rebel politician, who fought aud used his
influence 70 destroy our country and disgrace
its Dag, Is to speak. Wade Hampton drew
an immense assemblage and brought down
thunders Of applause when he p onounced the 'l0st
causer a holy one and the lost rebels sacredy EN-
balmed In memory for their noble deeds. This kind
OF eectioneering may do very well to please those OF
chivalrc ideas here who would have Yejoced at see
ing the Southern confederacy established but II will
not suit men, however much they may admire
Messrs. Seymour and Blair, who are I'M
willing TO be trampied upon, iorded over and
Illuminated; Working democrats are beginning