Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1871-09-08
The Duty of Dem ocrats.

In another part of to-day's paper, will be
found the proceedings Of the Democratic Prl-
mary Meetings held in the respective Dis
tricts Of the county, on Saturday last. 1T Is
doubtful if ever before in our political history
the county has been so thoroughly canvassed
previous TO the meeting OF a nominating con-
venion it is certain that never before has
there been awakened so general an interest
among the people everywhere, and consequent
active participation of the masses in the pri-
mary meetings The spirited rivalries that
distinguish this canvass brought out the vote
and secured fair expression of opinion in
the selection of delegates.
Tomorrow these delegates meet here in
County Convention TO nominate candidates for
States Attorney, House of Delegates Orphans
Court, County Commissioners, Sheriff and
Surveyor. If, as we hope and believe, they
will come together in the spirit of harmony,
and, by the result Of their deliberations, alay
the passions and repress the resentments of
competing claimants, all, who are solicitous
for the success of the cause in the approaching
conflict with Radicalism, will have reason for
graduation.
We anticipate that the Convention to-mor-
row will nominate ticket that will receive
the cordial support of every one claiming sym
patty with the Democratic party of Maryland.
That the personal preferences OF each individu-
al member of the party can be gratifed in the
selection Of the candidates, is, of course, an
impossibility; and, unless we are willing 10
yield somewhat of our individuality to the
success ola common good party organization is
worthless. 1t is natural--it is right-it is
proper, that, in selecting candidates to repre-
sent the party, every man should strive to
have chosen his own iavorites; but, it is
joriiy decide against him, and choose the ia
vorites of somebody else, that he should sacri-
fee his individual choice, and rally to the sup
port of the nominees with the same zeal and
enthusiasm that he would have expected from
others had the men of his choice been nom-
mated
When the party shall have selected its lea
ders, to them are committed the standard of
the party. They are its representatives by
choice; 10 their bugle call all must respond,
and gather to do battle under them, protected
by the egis of that banner There are no
other accepted guides-no other acknowledged
fugemen. To raise another banner in the
camp; TO sound the rally to other leaders is
mutiny, for it can only result in weakening
the power of those who are the accredited rep
resentatives Of the party, and, to this extent,
to give aid and comfort 10 the enemy.
Policy, if no higher motive, commands the
strictest party unity. A party has no object,
If its object is not to win. 1t can win only
by the closest adherence, not only to princi-
Piles, but to nominees. The men, who have
the favor to receive the nominations, become
at once as important as the organization itself
Their success is the success of their party, and
their defeat is party defeat. Personalities have
nothing TO do with a campaign. 1t is prin-
ciples that run, and are elected, and the mem
Der Of a party who goes back on nominee,
goes back on every principle of his political
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