Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1881-04-16
POLITICAL FATALISM.

popular zest for sensation has been
sharpened by repeated announcements
that an executive bombshell was
ripening for explosion at some me-
ment to be deemed supreme by those
in charge. These reports were cor
roborated from time to time by un-
dercurrents of political gossip preg-
nant with ominous limitations Of cor.
ruptions to DO exposed under the blaze
of calcium light of the first magni-
tude. "Grand inquisitions had been
made" it was faid, "into dire infrac-
tions of the constitution and laws, and
to sundry perpetrators nothing less
than the day of judgment was at
hand"
Tuesday morning the missile fell
upon the State, after the ostensible
excuse that it had been called for by
several distinguished gentlemen, who,
in turn, had professed to be moved by
disappointment of the people in fail
ing to realize the fulfllment Of prom
Use and prophecy az laid down during
the campaign of 1879 in the rose-col-
ored prospectus of the Hsmiltonian
era.
Without more than alluding here
to the actual fact that the platform Of
1879 was never really demanded by
the people or by any e1igencies that
affected the Stale, or to the question
able statement that there is wide.
spread dissatisfaction" abroad among
the people outside the disgruntled seq
ment of the democratic party, we pro-
pose few reflections from purely
political standpoint, and which the
"bombshell" seems to illustrate.
The republican party lives by lib
erality to its adherents. In general
way it makes it pay to be republican,
especially a republican cfice-holder.
1t spreads its aegis over the largest
possible space; includes in its patron
age the largest possible number Of its
most useful and influential members.
The macs coheres and crystallizes,
unites and condenses in discipline and
in force, in common interest and 10y
atty. 1t deserves and wins success by
adopting, executing and sticking to
the policy which unfailingly secures
the enthusiastic fidelity of its constit-
uents.
In the democratic party this is call
ed extravaganza" "peculation,"
corruption" No sooner, then, does
it get into power than it sets about
alternating its friends and supporters
by a logged assault upon the Offices,
pay and perquisites of its servants
The one must be reduced in number
the other diminished in amount, the
last abolished in toto. Factions en-
lue; divisions widen; disloyalties null
tiply, and defeat is earned by a course
which throughout destroys the springs
CT party life.
There is little doubt that many of
Gov. Hamilton's allegations are true;
his enemies, while questioning the
w:sd1m of giving them worldwide
publicity, will probably admit some
ale correctly founded. But they
know infallibly that no republican in
Gov. Hamilton's place would have
do:.e it or would have been allowed
to do it
The men against whom he inveighs
by implication are those OF the party
who have availed themselves of the
tactics of their natural enemies; who
are advanced" politicians; who have
learned how to make blessings Of pub
lie debts and revenues, not curses
elements of strength, not weakness.
They have long ago ascertained, more
over, that if government is the pop
ular benefaction it is represented to
be, and if the checks and balances of
party are actual necessities of the
case, the people should be willing to
submit to the collateral expenses.
Proceeding upon the assumption
indicated, the policies in all the States
are shaped in more or less degree in
this direction by the dominant party.
In fact, Maryland is, in beneficiary
senee however, Fortuna herself in the
galaxy of political despotisms. With
public debt of no magnitude; with
credit second to none; with economi-
Cal executive, legislative and judicial
machinery, her organic Lawmakers
having wisely arranged that honors
should count much in the way of
conf ensation; with large productive