Port Tobacco times, and Charles County advertiser. (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1845-1898, 1875-11-12

Fulfill the Pledges.
We call attention to the following edi-
torial from thetBaltimore Gazette, not on
" on account of the sound sense contain
ed in it, but because the Gazette was the
paper most prominent in administering
nbukes to the rural press which under
tbok to speak of the necessity of reform
within the party before the canvass open
ed. We are glad to have the efficient aid
I of the Gazette in this good work, and we
hope it will join the Democracy of the
State in urging the first necessary step
preliminary to that reform, which we men,
jtion elsewhere, namely: that certain gen
ftlemen, who have undertaken "to run the
machine" shall forthwith abdicate and
''vamose the ranche:"
That no party can become dominant and re-
tain its supremacy which is false to its prnci-
pies, or lax in adhering to them, is a PROPOSE
ton whose truth the Democratic party has had
impressed upon it by many defeat and long
series of disasters brought upon itself by its
own acts. Ohio and Pennsylvania, given over
to Radical control, stand as gigantic monu-
ments of Democratic folly but they not the
only States in which the party has suffered
from laxity Of principles. We can look nearer
home for lessons of warning from the recent
contest in Maryland The Democratic party
in this State has undergone a desperate strug-
gle for its very existence and won by the
hardest work. Why? Let every thoughtful
Democrat consider. Is it to be supposed that
the p<bple of tie State were tired of honest
IF, la Taf standard ub oh
the party promised? Does anyone believe
that the principles Of Democracy had suddenly
become obnoxious TO nearly one-half of the
population OF the State, or that our citizens
preferred Radical TO Conservative government?
Clearly not Then what does it mean? Sim
ply that the Democratic party in Maryland and
Baltimore had not lived up TO its creed had
not fulfilled its promises OF reform, and had
not uniformly presented honest men for office.
This is the plain meaning of the desperate and
well-nigh successful attempt to drive il from
power. The final test showed that a majority
of the voters of the State still preferred Democ-
racy with all its sins upon its head to its an tag
oniSt. But the verdict is not 10 be accepted as
a vindication OF It's entire course or as an I'M
qualified approval of its policy. Ii the men
who have Just been elected on the city and
State ticket look upon il in this light they will
suffer inevitable overwhelming and merited
defeat in the near future. The victory of
Tuesday means for the Democratic party SIM
ply one more chance TO redeem itself Ii has
snrely tried the people in many ways, and the
contest through which il has passed shows
that IL Is Vulnerable " attack at many points.
Its TWO particularly weak spots have been its
unfit men for minor positions and non-fultill-
Iaent of its promises. And il starts out now
with the same elements Of weakness-sope
goats among the sheep, and by voting down a
constitutional amendment Of inestiulable value
in maintaining a pure Judiciary.
This is q bad start. We await with impa-
thence the next step TO see If the party has
learned any thing from the past. The citizens
who gave these public servants their suifrages
are waiting to see how they will carry out the
trusts eouided in them. They have not for
gotten the admirable platform OF principles
which these men pledged themselves TO respect.
They have not overlooked all those measures
of reform aud economy so many times recon-
Iueudei by our Governors and Mayors, and
discussed in the press, OF which every man
knows the need, and yet which have never
bean carried out. As near as we can Judge
;heir patience with the Democratic party will
no. stand through another election. We tell
our successful friends plainly theirs will be the
las, Democratic administration in this city and
State unless they begin at once upon the work
which - right before them.
Reform must begin AT home, too-right here
Ia Baltmore-and one Of the very first things
IS to secure the purity OF elections by thoro'
process Of reconstruction. The present regis
try list should be at once obliterated, and q
ncw renislraiiou Of voters be had, which
should be fair and honest. The city shoald
eSs redjstr!c'cd. and a new apportionmeat of
wards aud prcCiuis made. The latter should be
increased ~ numbers and made small enough
10 reader the practice Of extensive frauds i'm
possible These are TWO pressing reform needs
which mast rot longer be delayed. We will
not attempt 10 specify tae many Others Al this
time but we shall present and press them here
asteC upon the attention OF the party. The
Democracy OF MARYLAND have gained power
this wear on the explicit pledge of Reform
within the party let il see TO il that il Is
not found guilty At the next election of obtain
Ing !; under false preteEses.