The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1876-10-06
Hon. ]. Morrison Harris.

This gentleman comes into the field us n
candidate for election to the House of Repre-
sentatives this fall, named by the Republican
convention of the district, in opposition to
Hon. Charles B. Roberts. His position is
politically an uncertain one, as accepting the
Republican endorsement or naming, as con-
tradistinguished from a nomination-a dis
tinction too finely drawn to suit the aspect
of political affairs in this country at the pres
ent time. Now, more than ever before, do
the people wish TO know clearly and une'
suivocally, and understand beyond perad-
venture, the political principles of their can
didates. The antagonism of the principles
of the candidates of the two parties for the
executive branch of the government is well
marked and clearly defined. Mr.. Tildcn and
Mr. Hayes can have no compromise with
each other, as the issue is clearly drawn in
this canvass whether the government, so far
as the executive is concerned, is TO remain
under the control of the Republican party,
to be administered as it has been for the last
sixteen years, or whether thorough change
in its policy and management is to take place,
by the election of Samuel j. Tilden. 1t is
equally important to understand whether the
legislative branch of government, or at least
the House of Representatives, is to remain
Democratic, in case of Mr.. Tilden's election.
1t is in vain and fruitless of results TO elect
the President, and lose control of the gov
eminent by choosing congressman opposed
to his policy and that of his party. The New
York World of recent date well and truly
says: "The maintenance of Democratic
majority in the next Congress, is next in i'm
portance to the election of Democratic
President. The victory will not be complete
in November without it,"
But does it appear that Mr.. Harris is OPP
posing in his candidacy the Democratic
party? From his present position it does SO
appear. He cannot accept the naming him
rs candidate by the Republicans, and lheiI
united support of him as a party at the polls
and fail to defer to their party wishes and
policy, if elected. Otherwise he would bt
accepting their support under false prctenses
1t is said that Governor Hayes is compare
lively an honest, upright man, disposed tc
do better than his brother party leaders Of
the Radical persuasion; but it is now con
ceded, even at this stage of the campaign
that if elected, he could not divest himself o.
their influence, and disobey the advice anG
behests of those who are so earnest in theil
efforts to put him in place. Surely the SAINT
reasoning is as applicable to the case of Mr.
Harris. He will be constrained in his polit-
ical action, as member of Congress, to rep
resent the views of those who most largely
contribute TO his election.
The last Democratic House of Representa-
tives stood as q bulwark between Fedora
usurpation of power and the rights of the
people. Its labors saved the country millions
of dollars. Itmoved against Grants admin
istration as an army corps moves into battle
and won and held the vantage ground VIZ
now occupy in the present conflict.
No Democratic member who is candi
date for re- election should be interfered will
by any true reformer. The crisis is too Sc
rious TO warrant it. Mr.. Roberts bore his
part nobly and manfully in the work of the
last session and we know in whom we trust
when we send him back to help to complete
under better auspices, the work of reform
already commenced under such difficulties