Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1875-07-30

the nomination of Governor, at tho
Democratic State Convention, held in
Baltimore, July 2lst.
Gentlemen eth Convention
Your committee have informed me
Of the fact that | have been nominated
by the voice of this Convention as the
candidate of the Democratic party for
the high position of the Executive of
Maryland, and in answer to your cordial
invitation, | am here to accept the re-
sponsibilities and to thank you for the
great honor you have conferred on me
Loud applause.
do not hesitate to say that the expe-
rience | have had in the public service
does not justify in my mind entire con-
6dence in the capacity | may bring to
such important duties, and yet, when
l look upon this assembly as the trusted
representatives of the people, and feel
that may become entitled not only to
your confidence and support, but likewise
to that of the large population which you
represent, | am tempted, indeed, to lay
aside my fears and entertain the hope
that with your indulgence may be
enabled to bear my share in advancing
the interests of the State. Applause.
The conservative character of the Gov
eminent of Maryland, which has done so
much to promote the happiness of our
people in the midst of all the disastrous
scenes through which our country has
passed is now, perhaps, more firmly es-
tablished than ever in the hearts of all
who wish US we'll; but it will be a diff
cult task for us to preserve, with the
overwhelming strength Of our own party,
that integrity of rule and management
which up to this time no opposition has
been able to destroy. Tremendous APP
plause.
Where, then, are we to turn, and to
whom are we to look for the lessons that
are to guide us in our future course?
The dignity of the position which has
been assumed by this State among her
confederate sisters has not been due to
any extraordinary genius on the part OF
her rulers, nor, perhaps, to any wonder
full virtue invested in her people. Com
mencing our career with the trials and
stormy days of the Republic, surrounded
by the illustrious men who shed their
blood, or signed away their all for the
charter of our liberties, we have had but
to follow in the footprints of those who
preceded us to feel that we were in the
pathway of right. Loud, continuous APP
plause.
Truly, then, the proud recollections
of the past will be more TO us than the
record of struggle for existence or
even the establishment of our National
independence. The history Of those ear
Iy days is replete with the wisdom, the
practical wisdom, of the men who framed
our government, and even on this day
our greatest confidence in the present.
and our strongest hopes of prosperity in
the future, are built upon the recogni-
ton by the nation of the stable doc
trines which they then maintained.
How can we ever pay sufficient trib-
ute to the memory of Jefferson for hav-
ing established as an axiom among our
people that principle of liberty and
safety, "that the military should be sub
ordinate to the civil power p Cheers.
What safeguards did he not throw around
the system of our sovereign States when
he proclaimed ''that their domestic con-
Germs were to be managed in their own
way, free from the control or interven.
ton of the Federal arm of power :"
When "a stride was made in the march
of government when his great dogma
was accepted, f'tbat individuals were en-
titled to equal political rights, without
regard to social distinction or religious
sect or opintonP
What danger was there for any man.
be he never so humble, so long as the
) writ of haJeas corpus was enforced, and
criminals were furnished with an in
dictment of the charges against them,
and guaranteed speedy trial Gin accord
) ance with the laws Of the land, and the
, Judgment Of their peers 2" What field
) was there for the vast and shameless
frauds that have been brought TO light in
the past few years, if appointments had
been made with a view Of carrying out
his great doctrine, "that iudicous econo-
my should be exercised in the expendi-
ture of the peoples money, in order that
labor might be lightened and taxes rem
dered less oppressive ?" Great APP
plause.
And now let me say that | am here
to-day simply to accept the honor you
have profered me, and not by any words
of mine to arouse the sentiments Of par
ties against each other. Although rep
resenting, as you do, the sovereignty Of
one of the Oldest States Of the Union,
you have the right TO ask how have the
party in power obeyed these, the man
dates of our ancestors; how have they
maintained the principles that we know
to be the text Of every American Demo
crat
Well might ] answer these questions
by picturing to you the history of the
past ten years, and showing you the
steps that have alienated the hearts Of
many and brought anguish and suffering
upon communities already wasted by the
effects Of war / might tell you that
differing, as we have always done in
Maryland, from the policy that has
ruled the country for fifteen years, we
have keenly felt the wrongs that have
been heaped upon our sister States, and
have pledged ourselves to stand among
the foremost ranks Of those who would
: oppose them to the end. Immense APP
plause