National Republican., 1883-08-23
NTaryIand,a Opportunity.


flowing in the campaign broezes. They arc
seen everywhere as busy as bees in their Of
forts TO retain their grip upon tho treasures
of the city and state. In nearly every county
or district where elections have been hold the
handiwork of the ring is seen. No measures
are too audacious and high handed for them
to adopt in order to carry the day. The
democrats who indorse and uphold Gov.
Hamilton in his honest endeavor to purify
the politics of the state look with ill-con-
cealed indignation upon the ways and means
Of the "anti-Hamilton wing of the party.
They are not yet in open rebellion against
the machine which has so long managed and
pilfered them, for, like the customs Of the
ancents, the machine has become honored by
reason Of its age. Nevertheless, there
is rebellion under way which
will assume formidable proportions at tho
p'oper time 1t is safe to predict that the
better class of democrats will not submit to
the continuance of ring rule in the old state
of Maryland, The present governor has as
founded the people by his honesty and frank
ness, for he is democrat Of democrats, and
was supposed to be one of their choicest
kindred spirits Finding him TO be less plia-
BILE than they had supposed, and being desir-
Gus of removing him from the political arena
the democratic bosses began their work
by knitting Gov. Hamilton's aspirations for
reelection. 1t is said that the governor
quietly intimated to the men who were so
industriously making war upon him that he
should make public his knowledge Of their
secret history. Ignoring this mild suggestion
they continued in their course, determined to
ruin the man whom they could not rule.
When the governor published his letter of ex-
posures he did it as a matter of political self
defense, but its effect has been that of pow
erful assault upon the entire democratic line.
Speaking of the possible uccess of the fierce
warfare which is being now waged upon Gov.
Hamilton, the Baltimore American says that
such success means the punishment of Gov.
Hamilton for his refusal to bo the tool of this
coterie and for his exposures of democratic
corruption and for the impulse he gave to re-
forms. 1t means vengeance against tho man
who was instrumental in giving the state an
honest registration and fair election Of officers.
1t means new lease of life to the iniquities
that Gov. Hamilton has laid bare; the useless
offices created for useful henchmen, and the
irregularities Of collecting and disbursing the
public moneys. 1t means, in short, that the
faction that for years has had its clutch upon
the throat of the prosperity of the state is about
to renow its hold" 1t means the continuance in
power Of those purblind beings who are by
nature at war with the best interests not only
of their state but of the nation. 1t is not
likely that any such success can be achieved
Tho democracy of Maryland positively will
not unitedly support the ring ticket. By
division there can be no hope of success. 1t
is too late now to put up any "honest farmer"
for a figurehead, and hope in that manner to
cntice votes. Tho Gig is up" with the dem
ocratic party of Maryland this year. 1t is the
time of Republican opportunity, and the party
of progress fully understands the situation.
Every effort is being put forth to take fair
advantage of the democratic extremity.
Once under the guidance and care of the
party whose principles are embodied in the
words Onward and upward" the common.
wealth of Maryland will develop into the
fruition of her vast possibilities. When she
shall be relieved from the grip Of the task.
masters and permitted to take her proper
place among the states of this union many a
year will pass away before the political cor.
morants will again have an opportunity to
prey upon her vitals.