New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1878-08-05
PRICE FOUR CENTS.
MARYLAND POLITICS.

AdGREbSlfE ROLlCf On THE PART OF hEPUb-
LICANs
IFRoM STAFF CORRESPONDENT OF THE rRIBuNE.I
CARE MAY, N. j., Aug 3.-The Hon. MONTGOMERY
Blair who comes to the surface of politics at ir-
regular intervals and then mysteriously disappears
again in the midst of his law practice, packed up
his trunk aud went home yesterday morning, after
q soJourn of two weeks at the Stockton Hotel. AS
he was the author of the memorial and resolution
attacking the Presidents title which were sent to
Congress last Spring. and labOred earnestly in
Washington to set the Potter investigation on it's
feet, had some curiosity to learn what he thought
about the success of that inquiry, and its effect upon
the Democratic party. His opinions informally
expressed in brief conversation, and as they are
those of Bourbon who, though perhaps not
leader in his party, is admitted to its councils and
understands the drift Of sentiment among its MEM
bers they may be less interesting to the readers
of THE TRIBUNE than they were to Its correspon-
dent
Mr.. Blair said that he expected the Democrats to
win in the Fall elections. Public opinion seemed to
him to be as much against the Republicans now as
it was in 1874 He saw no chance for the Radicals,
as he called them to make any gains and they were
sure to lose in some parts of the country.
"Do you think the Potter investigation has helped
the Democrats any !" asked the correspondent.
"Ido," was the reply. at has given us an issue
upon which the party has become united. There
was, before, tendency to split up on the money
question and other subjects Besides, it has made
the Radicals SHINY to their own side, because
though the President snubs the leaders of his party
they cannot afford to desert him in this electoral
business they were all involved in the Louisiana
rascality together. They laughed at me for urging
this matter strongly, but had had too much ex-
perience to pay attention either TO their attacks
their ridicule The more they had to say the more
knew that the inquiry was likely to hurt"
Have you any Nationals in Marylandp
Yes, there are some in Baltimore, but they keep
their proceedings secret, and we don't know much
about what they are doing. They will probably dis
play some strength this Fall"
4" And draw off some Democratic votes :"
"NO, the Nationals are almost all Radicals. Tho
growth of the party Will help the Democrats.
l look with favor upon the new organization, and
hope to see it increase in numbers. 1t has a good
effect upon party, and tends to bring US back to
first principles. The Democratic party, you
know has at times drifted away from its old ideas.
There many Democrats, some of them Repre-
sentatives III Congress, who have come into the
Democratic ranks since the war, and do not accept
the doctrines about which there was formerly no
question. They were once Wings OF Republicans.
For instance. many Democratic members of Con-
gTess are pecunarily interested in banks and other
corporations, and you cannot expect such men as
those to strike out from the shoulder against mo-
nOpoles. The growth Of the National movement
will cause party to be careful regard to
the kind of men it dominates"
Referring to Maryland state politics. Mr.. Blair
said that there close district-the in which
he himself lives, and which is represented in tho
present Congress by Mr.. Walsh. He understood
that the Republicans proposed to contest that dis
triet. Mr.. Walsh will not probably be renOminated.
4 L., -
made brilliant record in Congress. Besides this,
Montgomery County claims that it is entitled to the
candidate. The contest between several Democratic
candidates living in that county for the nomination
is very sharp, and may leave behind it sufficient
bitterness ard dissatisfaction to enable the Repub
lcans, if they take advantage of it, to gain Rep
resentative in Congress. In any event, the Demo-
craft, majority is not large that it cannOtlbe
overcome by the right sort of work. believe the
Republican Congressional Committee has already
turned its attention to this district which adjoins
the District of Columbia, and is intending TO exc
tend to the local Republicans such assistance as
they may need
There was one remark made by Mr.. Blair about
the National movement that is worthy of careful at
tention He SAID that the Nationals are nearly all
Radicals" That remark may be true of Maryland,
but l do not believe il. The Democratic party has
had undisputed control Of the State of Maryland for
years, aud it has been essentially a hard-money
party there. The leading Democratic newspapers of
Baltimore have opposed initiation from the first and
the delegation of the State in Congress, almost with
out exception has been sound on questions affecting
the currency and finances of the country. The Re-
pubicans, l believe, equally committed to q
policy of National honesty, but they have had no
recent opportunity TO put their principles into
practice in the State. The discomfort out of which
= AI,or 81 lie
satisfaction with the powers that be, and will
strike at the party in power. In Maryland. If the
Nationals cast larger vote this Fall, it will be to
the injury of the Democrats; in Massachusetts, to
that of the Republicans.
This state of affairs suggests the only safe policy
for the Republicans everywhere to adopt There
must be no compromise with or encouragementot the
Nationals anywhere. In Republican States and dis
tricts the issue must be squarely met and Republic
cans who are inclined to waver must be held firm by
well-directed argument. There never was party
whose members were so susceptible tosOund reason
ing as that which has held the rens of power IN
this country for the last eighteen years This ag-
gressive policy is the that has been adopted by
the Republicans of Name. under the lead of Senator
Blaine and its certain success there in September
will react upon the campaign in other States when
the same wise course is adopted.
In Democratic States and districts the same
course ought to be pursued. 1t will more be safe
than it will be honorable to encourage the National
movement in order that it may destroy the enemy.
The danger is that the monster will turn upon tho
organization that feeds it and devour it. That has
already been the sad experience of party leaders in
sections where the National movement attained re-
spectacle proportions year ago, and IL is an expe-
rence that is likely to be repeated wherever the
dangerous experiment is tried. With bold. open.
41,a aofiO
readiness to defend the record Of the Republican
marty for what it has done in the past. is to-day