The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1881-12-17
From the Hdqersto,cn Nc,cs.
An Answer to the Hagerstown Mail,
Upon the Political Situation.
NOVEMBER 2G. 1881

upon CnG HOl1blCdl 0lCudClOu.
NOVEMBER &c, 1881
MEssRs EDITORS Il have received copy
of the Hagerstown Mail of the 18th inst, sent
to me presumably by the Editor, or some one
in his interest, and intended doubtless to in
fluence the minds of the members of the Leg
slature. Having read the editorial with in
terest, ask permission to reply thereto
through the columns of your paper. As one
of the members-elect to the next House of
Delegates, count myself one of the honest,
sincere and may be inexperienced Demo
Gratis who the Editor of the Mail endeavors
to warn against the ''wily practices and cor
rupt means of the managers. | agree with
him fully that "now is the time for the patri-
otto masses of the Democratic party to take to
lesson the real condition of things, but, |
have read his article i'll vain for any practical
advice as to how it is to be done. Can it be
that the only reforms the Democratic party
need or the people desire, are the placing of
the Board of Public Works, the Chesapeake
and Ohio Canal, the Oyster force, &c, under
the control of Governor Hamilton and the re-
mloxal of Col. Woolford and Mr.. Hines? |
think not. The people care more for meas
ures than for men. Are Mr.. German, Mr..
Compton and others so VIGOROUSLY dishonest
that their mere removal will necessarily bring
about reform, without regard to the character
of those whom the Editor of the Nail wishes
to fill their places? If Governor Hamiltons
friends wish these gentlemen supplanted, they
should let us know whom they desire in their
stead, that myself and others may have the
opportunity of discussing, and if necessary,
ventilating the character and ability of these
wouldbe officials. as fully as the Editor of the
Mail discusses these gentlemen. This IS fair.
Does he expect an honest man to pledge him
self to vote for any body for the sake ct turn
ing down State official, simply because Gov
ernor Hamilton does not want him. Who
does he want for treasurer? Is the man he
wants more honest or more capable than Mr..
Compton? Ifso, let us know who he's. Every
one in the state knows Mr.. Compton by repu-
tatiOn and before we are called upon to turn
him down we should know who we are called
upon to vote for in time to ascertain all about
his opponent. Who does he want for presi-
dent of the Chesapeake i Ohio Canal Will
his candidate stand the same test as against
Mr.. German? For While the Legislature does
not elect him, it elects the man who will de-
eide the character of the Board. We ought
to know who it is, or, is it anyb0dy to beat
Mr.. German? Tie Editor declares he wants
peace, reform and economy. | do, sincerely,
and hope he does but if he wants peace,
why does he so strenuously object to UNITY.
There can be no peace i'll a party without, at
least some unity. If he wants reform and
economy, why does he use his efforts to dis
menber the party and prevent concurrent
action of the entire party. He deplores the
gains of the Republicans and contends, as |
admit, that the next Legislature must reform.
First, because the people must and will have
it, and secondly, because the Democratic
party, being in the ascendant, will be held re-
sponsble for the failure of reform measures.
Il I'll ell l.
that the editorial distresses me, for | see in 1t
only fight of factions, an entire wa4x of CON
iidence in the leaders of the party The en-
tire argument being based upon tha. Presump
ton that the party caucus will &e a ''manlpu-
ted" BODY, which carries with 1t the implca-
ton that the majority of the Democratic mem
bers are mere imbecile tools in the hands of
''the managers Is not this insulting to
every Democratic member? lsa man elected
by the Democrats to stay 9ut Of. caucus simply
because the caucus may ilDminate Mr.. Comp
ton? If reform be thus accomplished, will it
perpetuate "the supremacy of the party?
think not Reform thus brought about would
be credited to our opponents and Democratic
supremacy (which the Editor says he wants.
would receive its severeSt blow, for it would
be truthfully said that individual Democrats
accomplished it by refusing to act with their
party. Reform. is demanded of the party, not
of individuals, and | wish the party to have
the credit of it, Int ,oiU 90 as ttu as anyone
by ,r0rds and acts in saying ,ce must hare 1t
dnyhOw. am too ''honest and sincere Il
Democrat to believe that the party is not hon
est as IL party. Whenever | believe that 1t is
so corrupt that | cannot represent the best IN
terest Of the people within its ranks, will
wear no hypocrite' $ garb, but step over to the
other side and try it there-no longer calling
in IuIr
but one thing for every ''honest and sincere
member to do and that is to act with his party;
go into caucus and stay there until he is forced
to the conclusion (which the Nail seems to
have arrived ut in advance) that it is ''manip-
ulated' by wicked and designing men.
The people have elected Senate and House
of Delegates. Upon them rests the RESPONSE
bility of the coming session, TO them the peo-
pie look and to the Democrats in these bodies
the party looks for reform. ! sincerely be-
lieve that if disappointed, it will be by reason
of factional fights in the party, a want OF con-
hdence in, and jealousy against the managers
by one element and very natural jealousy Of
the Legislative branch against any interference
with its preogatives by the executive. Gov.
Hamilton has also some reforms to be looked
after in his branch of service. He has very
large number of appointments to make and
might spend much time very protitably by care
fully considering and enquiring into the char
acter of his appointees. A new registration
for instance will avail nothing unless we have
honest and capable registers. The Editor OF
the Nail says that he ''hopes the honest and
sincere members of the Senate and House will
see to it that the expectations Of the people
shall be realized So do | most devoutly,
but do not expect it, nay ! can hardly hope
for it, with divided party; with an element
ready to thwart every effort at reform unless
men endorsed by the party, but distasteful to
that element, are turned down, and whose
constant argument with prominent Democrats
is that the only way to reform is to reform
others out of office and themselves in. | am
ready to believe the .H0I and its friends hon
est in their professions when they advocate
measures of reform, but not while they accuse
the party leaders of dishonesty and hypOcracy
and spend all their power upon individuals i'll
office. The people have concluded to trust
the managers, at least, little longer; and
why should not we trust them and believe
them honest iii their present professions until
otherwise proven. They are not simpletons,
this we all know, and if they are not, they
know that, unless they advocate reform and
retrenchment, our party will scarcely pull
through the next time. | believe not only i'll
saying in words, but by my acts declaring, that
''all the bad of the past may go if the future
is made safe, in leaving the question of men
to the Judgment of each individual Democrat
and uniting as one man in an honest, sincere
and determined effort to bring good govern
ment to our State and success to our party, as
the true party of the people.
Yours respectfully, DEMOCRAT.
New States.