The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1882-05-20
Banquet to Gov. Hamilton.

The banquet to Governor Hamilton came
Off ON Wednesday night at the CarroIlton
Hotel, Baltimore. TWAS a gathering of some
good men with good Intentions, aud others
who represent no one but themselves and their
own ambitions. Hon. Thos. f. Bayard, Hon.
Samuel J. Tilden, Senators Vance, Ransom
and Voorhees,, Gen. Hancock and the host of
other distinguished men invited, were not
present. Gov. Hamilton was the only guest
the others were subscribers to the feast.
The distinguished gentlemen from other states
could not have been expected to be present.
The United States Senators and members
ofthe House of Representatives, we were sure.
and so surmised in former issue, would not
attend political feast to which the Maryland
Senators and Representatives had not been
invited. They early found that it was fac
tional banquet. The leaders were Democrats,
if you please, but Democrats unnecessarily
warning with the great body of the party, and
claiming for themselves all the good results of
recent legislation, pledged by the ichoie party,
and carried out by the party, with little set
of extremists continually throwing obstacles in
their way.
Mr.. James Hodges presided at the banquet,
and was the leading spirit. Mr.. Hodges, no
doubt. is well-meaning man, but is also one
whose zeal outstrips his knowledge, and is an
extremist of the most pronounced type. His
speech was both frothy and fulsone-frothyo on
reform and retrenchment. and fulsome in
praise of the guest of the occasion.
Many of those who sat at the table with the
Governor have no special regard for him nor
endorse his dogmatism. They were there as
grieved spirits, fleeing from those who had
thought they had sat at the public table long
enough and substituted others just as able,
efficient and deserving. Their removal, too,
was wise Some of them were only Demo
Gratis as long as they were kept in office. They
sulked as soon as they were succeeded by
Others, and sought to overthrow the party by
all their means, and they must have felt I'M
easy when Mr. Hodges was speaking so en-
Enthusiastically of reform rithia the party.
They tcsat ont of the party and either voted
the Republican ticket or abstained from voting
altogether. whilst during the campaign they
worked to sow discord and dissentou in the
Democratic ranks We have neither time nor
inclination TO particularize OF to mention
names, but those who are familiar with the
standing and records Of many who were pres
ent know that the gathering was not of arep-
resentative kind.
Mr.. Hodges speech was full of errors as to
facts, and it is to be hoped for his sake that
the press did not quote him correctly. Hisig-
norance in historical matters of politics was Ia
mentable. Neither Washington nor jefferson
would recognize their principles, as presented
by him.
The Governor speech was in good temper,
and is the best emanation from him in several
years. There was nothing striking in his re-
marks /; nothing new--just his general ideas
summarized and mildly stated. As We have
not hesitated to eensure his course when We
deemed it to be meri,ed, so We fail not to
praise when praise is due.
Our fellow townsnian. Col. VIM. p. Manls-
by, was speaker ON the occasion, and we re- /
gret his remarks were not fully reported. He
spoke late in the evening" and the Day and
San were complimentary in their mention OF
him. Col Manlsby was one Of the partici- (.
pants who really desired economical govern +.
ment and Democratic unity, and It's to here |
GREETED that he had not been given Mr.. Hodges
place and made the speech of the evening
We should be glad to see these iaetional an
tagonisms at an end. There seemed to be no
occasion for such gathering as the one on
Wednesday night Had II included repre-
sentative men of the ,rhole party, and pledges
of party fealty, party unity, economy and good /
government been made; had there been a
burying Of all past differences and pledges Of
Cancellation and harmony, great good would
have followed aud the rank and 6le would
have rejoiced from one end Of the state to the