The Cecil Whig., 1875-11-20
What Reform in Maryland Meant and
Na0nS

not dead. Repulsed and beaten, as it has
been, by organized rutfianism, its motives
aspersed, its intentions impugned, charged
by which the Republican party was endeav
oring to gain the supremacy in the State,
it presents to day the same unbroken and
undaunted front to the corruptionsts who
rule that it did before it knew defeat. That
attitude will be preserved, and, sooner or
later, success will attend it, and thus furn-
ish it's justification at the same time that it
brings the reward. That success, whether
it comes to it as a separate organization,
or presents itself in the shape of "reform
within the Democratic party" will be, all
the same, the success of this movement,
which, having been born of the exigencies
Of the time, will thus be carried to its con-
summation by the independent action of
the thinking men of the Commonwealth.
That movement meant and means reform;
back seats for fifteen per centers, a more
economical administration of the State gov
ernment, and the elevation of integrity,
purity and ability to official positions. 1t
meant and means the overthrow of the cor
rupt and INSCRIPTIONS ring of political
tricksters and demagogues which, with
William Pinkney Whyte as it's head, and
.sMike" Bannon, Arthur p. German, Free
Rasin and others of like ilk to form the
circle, has been ruling but to ruin, has
lat IN ha 10y
of an assemblage of political bummers, and
causing our fair name to become a by-werd
and reproach. 1t meant and means the
elimination of unnorthy personal aspira-
tions from the control Of State affairs. 1t
meant and means the complete suppression
of venality, the extinction of scoundrel-
ism, and the downfall of that class of men
whose most distinguished representative is
Levin Woolford. 1t meant and means the
introduction into public life of purer and
more comprehensive craftsmanship, of a
better regulated financial system, and of a
more scrupulous regard for public morality
and duty. That movement, pushing on to
the attainment of results so entirely praise
worthy, has, in its first open struggle with
the Ring, been unable to grasp the practi
cal fruits of success, although there re-
mains with it all the moral force of tri-
umph. The manner by which that defeat
was encompassed is we'll known to every
citizen of the State. John Lee Carroll
becomes, as he is well aware, the Seen
tennial Governor" of Maryland by virtue
of the support which he received from the
lowest and most abandoned villains that
ever went unhanged, and by the assistance
of the most outrageous and disgraceful sys-
tenn of fraud and intimidation that ever
barred a free people from the exercise of
their rights. This, we know, is strong Ian
guage, but the ruffianism that ran rampant
in Baltimore city on the End of November
deserves to be characterized in no other
way.
Unsuccessful, however, as it has been in
this first attempt, the good fight will still
60 on; defeat will but insure renewed en-
turn, and amid the gratulations of all hon
est men the political temple of Maryland
will be purified.
The Republican party has no interest in
the struggle other than that which actuates
and governs all decent, upright, honorable
men. 1t recognizes its inferiority in point
of numbers, to the Democracy in the State,
and cheerfully comedies to the majority the
right to rule. But it demands, and it has
right to demand, in common with all good
citizens, that the rulers of the State shall
study the interests of the whole people, and
endeavor to promote their welfare and the
material prosperity of the Commonwealth.
For the realization of these intentions it
stands ready to-day to strike hands with
every intelligent, honest man or combina-
tion of men in the State. 1t asks none Of
the "spoils," desires none of the offices,
but will obtain its reward and rest satisfied
in the vindication of its purpose, and in the
ratification of it's laudable endeavor. 1t
does not even wish to direct the movement,
but is prepared and prefers to follow where
the independent men of the State choose to
lead.
Such are the exigencies and abuses which
have called forth the Reform movement in
Maryland, and such the position which the
Republican party sustains to it.
Those exigencies have not been fully met,
and those abuses, by no means remedied,
and the call for the preservation of the
organization is as imperative now as ever
We sound, therefore, to-day another blast
to battle, and call for push on to victory
as certain as it will be deserved.
tH The appointment of Mr.. Chandler