The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1876-09-30
Mr., Harris on his Platform.

I
HonoJ. Morrison Harris, who as ere
f6rmer,p has been for some time balancing
on the fence, has at length come down gu
the rongNside, and yielded to the seduc'
lions Of Republican nomination fol
Congress. II was hoped by the friends Of
Mr.. Harris, and he has many hercabout
that the kind Of reform he desired was Of
the Tilden kind the kind that fights rings
bosses, swindlors and plunderen. But it
seems that he prefers Zach Chamberlain
cock -Logan-Bolknap style Of reform, and
as he pays his money he can take his
choice. In purely selfish point of view
perhaps his decision was a wise ono. He
had no political future in the Democratic
party of Maryland and the Republican
party in this state is so utterly bankrupt
Of brains and character, that Mr.. Harris
will naturally take high rank in that
party from the start. Political ambition
has often led better men than Mr.. Harris
astray.
Bot the manner of the nomination was
peculiar, and we may add well adapted to
the end in view. The Performers" and
the Republicans put their heads together
and agreed on Mr.. Harris. Then the re-
formers nominated him without platform;
and the Republicans nominated him with
out platform aud asking no pledges.
Mr.. Harris was therefore at liberty to
build his own platform. Here it is;
believe that return to specie basis
should be made at the earliest practical day,
with due Difference to the business interests
of the country.
That's good Democratic doctrine, No
objection to that But why join the Re
publican party to get specie payments
when that party has been in power for IF
teen years and has never made one solid
step toward resumption ?
hold that all government officers should
be held TO strict accountability for the honest
and faithful performance Of public duty.
Therefore he joins the party that pro-
tected Schenck, Delano, BabcOck, Bel
KNAPP, Williams aud Harrington-the party
that dismissed Bristow, Jewell, Pratt,
Yaryan aud Bluford Wilson because they
wanted officers shield to strict aceounta-
bility."
am in favor of all wise and judicious cur
tailment in the expenditures Of the govern
ment
Therefore he joins the party that resist
ed to the uttermost the Democratic re.
trenchment and economics of last session.
am cordially in favor of return in all
public appointments to the old Jefersonian
doctrine that honesty, capacity and fidelity
should be the rule of qualification.
Therefore he joins the party that keeps
Babcock in office and turns out Bristow.
| regard the recent amendments to the con.
stitution as absolute inalities upon all the
subjects to which they relate, and should
earnestly oppose anything that tended to af.
feet them as such.
Pray who doesn't? Who are the wick
ed persons who wish to reopen the ques-
tons settled by constitutional amendment?
hold that the education of the people is
one of the highest privileges and securest
safeguards of republican institutions; that it
should be promoted, encouraged and reso.
lutely defended against all attacks, and that
the public school system of the country claims
the earnest sympathy and hearty support Of
every intelligent patriot; and am inAexibly
opposed to any appropriation Of public
money-national or State--for any schools
or institutions under seetarian control.
And, therefore, he deserts the Demo-
cratic party that passed the constitutional
amendment against sectarian appropria.
tons in the House of Representatives,
and joins the Republican party that de-
feated it in the Senate.
OF course Mr.. Harris has perfect right
to train with any set of men he pleases;
but it is very evident he has got into bad
company and no one will regret the mis-
take he has made more than himself
Baltimore Gazette.