The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1872-02-24
Maryland Democrats and their Present
Policy.

house VI representatives IRON the f0urth us
triet OF this State, writes Us, Balfimore Saa,)
from Washington In relation 10 the caucus
with the democratic members 81 the Legisla-
ture at Annapolis last week, and explains the
policy now advocated. He saws.
MKssRs. EBIroas:--The correspondence from
Annapolis published in the San In regard to
the democratic caucus Of Wednesday night
declares that "the speakers tMessrs. Hamilton,
Merrtck and myselD generally advised the
party to remain Inactive" This expression,
coupled with the head line, maryland Demo-
cracy and the Passive P0licy," has been nm
derstood by some to imply that what ia known
rs "Passivism" had been recommended.
Such an impression il erroneous. The speak
ers simply deprecated taking formal action OF
any lind at 1kis tisss. When We consider eth
er the differences now distracting and daily
multiplying in the republican party, the full
effect OF which cannot yet be estimated, or, on
the other hand, the various and conflicting
views prevailing in our ranks, II would seem
inadyisable for the democrats Of Maryland now
10 take action as to tho presidential campaign.
II is the universal Judgment Of all our friends
IN Congress, however variant their individual
views as TO what should ultimately be done,
that our true policy at prevent 10 10 watch and
wait.
Nearly two months remain yet before, in.
any aspect, steps need be taken TO call national
democratic conversation, the only body, by the
Maff AutHNltAc1 pidtNuiui Ut FoiAtls
Much Will doubtless trauspire during that
time tending TO enlighten and consolidate the
Judgment III our party. Meanwhile our pros
poets are hourly Frightening. The fruits Of
success are conceded to be within our reach,
but the hand only Of discretion can gather
them.
This recommendation Of delay must not be
miscOnstraed. II has my approval, not as a
device TO undermine the organization Of our
party or to smooth the way for an abandon
ment or adulteration Of it, principles. Ii Is In
order that both may be promoted, and 1t Is a
matter of tactics merely.
Let US examine this letter Of Mr..
Ritchie's. The gist Of it is--in view
ofthc differences distracting the Repub.
lican party, and the various and
conflicting views prevailing in our own
ranks, cit would seem inadyisable for
the Democrats of Maryland now to take
action as to the presidential campaign"
Our true policy al present is to watch
and wait"
We could the more readily concede
the wisdom of policy of nonaction,
1t our own party were united but it
also is disturbed BY "yariOus and con
Aicting views" which Mr.. Richie, as
well as anyone else, knows, are affect
ing the vital principles Of our organi-
zation. An attempt has been made,
and is still being made, to eugraft up
on the tcDets of the party, principles
which have heretofore been regarded
as the raukest political hercsy. Time
is required for the f" little leaven, /"
which was introduced into it in Ohio,
and which has already permeated
Pennsylvania, Connecticut, aud some
other States, to leaven the whole
lump" As well might virgin pause
to listen to the FIRST whisporings in her
ears of a proposition Of dishouor. To
pause is but the prelude to ruin. So
with the Democratic party. 1t has been
the pride aud the boast of that party
that its organization was based upon the
immutable principles of political truth,
and that amidst all the mutations Of the
parties which have arisen against it, that
grand old party has stood firm as ada.
mant in the maintenance Of its princi.
pies and in defence Of its integrity.
Shall it pause, now, to listen to the SO.
dactivc suggestions of those who would
accomplish its dishonor by inducing it to
compromit its most cherished princi.
pie's We say, emphatically, no. Our
party has never been a party of erpe.
diency at the expense Of principles. 1t
cannot become such now, without rend
ing itself into fragments. The grea,
mass Of the party, with iDHexible deyo.
ton to principle, will not follow the
lead Of those who would turn them
aside from the old paths trodden by the
Fathers Of the Constitution, if any such
there be. They may go themselves, il
they will, but the sod Guard" of the
Democracy will not follow them. And
whatever arrangements they may make,
or desire to make, for the ensuing cam.
paign, let them bear this fact in mind
Defeat is infinitely preferable to success
atthe expense Of principle. This il
the position Of every true Democrat.
What can we gain by waiting for the
further development Of the feud in the
Republican party? Will the disaheeted
OF that party come to the Democrats
u ia not likely they will, except in indi,
Sidual eases. What then Will they
Torn new party under the lead of such
asea as Carl Seharz, b. Gratz Brown,
caimoa 4. Chase, and others ? That's
the expectation and il is further ex.
pectcd that the 100000 Democratic
voters will go over, en- masse, TO the
100000 disaaected Republicans, and
stand side by side with them upon a
platform adverse to some of the most
cherished principles of the Democratic
party. IL is needless to say that such
expectations are futile.
We are glad to perceive that Mr..
Richie puts himself, at least, rectus IN
caria il the foregoing letter. He is
not for abandcuisg the organization Of
the party or for the "adulteratios Of its