The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1883-05-12
Meeting of Democratic Editors.

timore met at Barnum's Hotel Baltimore, on
Tuesday morning last at / o. clock. VIM. ii.
Ruby. of the Towsontown Journal, called the
meeting to order. He said that two weeks
previous several editors living convenient to
Baltimore had met in Baltimore, consulted
| together, and concluded that meeting of the
Democratic editors of the state to consider
the political situation, even if they took no
action of public character, might be bench
cial. He then read the form of the invitation,
exhibited the replies received, and then NOM
mated Col. Clement SuliYane. of the Cam
bridge Chronicle, for chairman. The motion
prevailed, and Col Sulivane took the CHAIR
l. S. Wilson, of the Upper Marlboro Gazette,
was chosen secretary.
W. H. Ruby moved that a committee OF
seven be appointed by the chair to formulate
some public expression OF the sense OF the
meeting, which was seconded by William /.
| Croasdale Mr.. Ruby then explained that he
made the motion in order to start the business
of the meeting, and asked for the views OF
those present. Remarks were then made by
| Col. Frederick Raine, of the German Cores
pondent w. H. Ruby, of the Towsontown
Journal: Edwin Warfeld, of the Ellicott City
Times: 6. W. Cruikshank, of the Cecil DEM
ocrat Z. /. c. Williams, of the Hagerstown
! Mail: JOS X. Roberts, of the Prince George S
| Loo,tirer; Charles H. Vanderford, of the
Westminster .Adrocate; VIM. T. Croasdale,,
of the Baltimore Day; VIM. I. lglehart, OF
the Annapolis AdUertiser; Jos. A: Graham,
of the Salisbury AdUertiser, and Z. b. Lud-
wig, of the Oakland Democrat. ~,
| The views of all were in harmony Inc
speakers recognized the fact that the party
was getting weak through ignoring the prnc-
ciples of the party, personal politics, ana dil-
ferences among ambitious men,
| The chair then appointed the following com
mittee under the motion of Mr.. Ruby. VIM.
T. Iglehart, VIM H. Ruby Geo. w. Crulk-
! shank. Edwin Warfeld, Chas. H. Vanderford,
VIM. Il. Croasdale and Jos. X. Roberts, Jr.
A recess was taken at LIS until 2.3O.
Upon reassembling the committee made the
| following report, which was unanimously
adopted:
ADDRESS TO THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY.
We have viewed with concern and sollcl-
tude the discussions that have been In pro-
gress for some months among members OF our
marty of more or less prominence, and the
| differences regarding the best methods OF
maintaining party supremacy and the triumph
of Democratic principles. In these discus
sions we have, with few exceptions, taken but
little part 1t has become evident that midi
yiduai effort cannot either harmonic differ
ences or advance the party's welfare, and we
have assembled as editors of Democratic pa
pers to urge on the voters OF the State
course which, we believe, will contribute to
that unity of action which is all that is needed
to continue and maintain Democratic SUI
premacyin State, a majority OF whose voters
are Enthusiastically attached to the principles
and traditions of that party. Coming, as we
do, from every section of the State, ana know
ing particularly public sentiment, we believe
we can voice that sentiment with great accn-
Al nf
these discussions and controversies have been
devoid of good results. They have engen-
dered bitterness rather than conduced to har,
mony They have estranged those who should
act in unison for the common good.
All those who have participated have ex-
messed n faith in the rank and file, and they
have erred in not awaiting their action. There
has been no occasion for haste. The Demo
cratic party in the State is not divided nor
engaged in any internal contest, except IN
Baltimore, and even there it is more among
aspiring leaders than among the voters OF the
party that differences exist. All that appears
necessary to bring the rank and file into har-
monious action that will assure the success OF
nominations, when made, is that the city con-
yention.shall choose fair and honorable men to
select those who are to conduct the primary
elections, and thus allow the voters unre-
stricted opportunity to make such nominations
as thev wish. In behalf of the Democracy of
the whole State we urge that so reasonable
and lust demand shall be gladly and freely
complied with.
If the party is not distracted and divided
by continued disagreement among leaders; II
they are not divided into factions by injudi-
ciOus. i'll advised and ill-tempered discussions,
at the proper time, through accredited repre-
sentatives i'll State convention assembled, they
will present to the people platform upon
which all good citizens can stand, and ticket
that cannot fail to command the respect OF
the opposition for honesty and ability.
The people of Maryland must beware of
Republican rule, and not allow personal quar-
rels and personal rivalry to divide them.
They cannot have forgotten the dark days
when that party held sway in this State. Then
they were bounded by day and night, dragged
from their homes and imprisoned without
warrant of law or sembance OF authority.
Each branch of government was bhndly and
bitterly partisan, even the judiciary. Juries
were partisan, school boards were PARTISAN
school teachers were partisan. Then Demo
Gratis had no consideration at their hands, and
they ruled with an iron hand. Despite all
the blessings Democratic rule has thus con-
ferred on the State, through foes within our
attention has been distracted, and the oppo-
turing the State. A Democratic majority OF
about %, 900 in 1879 was reduced to less than
5000 in 1882. A Democratic Senate has be-
come almost a tie. A Democratic House has
now strong Republican minority. Two CON
gressional districts have been wrested from
us and partisan Republican judges have been
elected. We see in two districts partisan
iuries drawn, which is an evidence that the
| Republican party would repeat the practices
of 1863-G7 if they were permitted to gain con-
troll in the State. If we look about the State
we find the highest tax rate IN those counties
where Republicans control the local offices.
| In Allegany county it is 69f cents on the 500,
! in Prince Georges ~, in Caroline 81, Ill
! Frederick 863 in Calvert 81, in Washington
| 80, in Charles 95, in st. Mary 81, in Garrett
| Sill. The highest tax rate in any Demo
| cratic county is 89I. In Carroll it is 80, in
Baltimore county 80, in Howard SO, in Cecil
| 81, and so on. The average for Republican
counties is 49,; the average for the Demo
cratic counties is 70E. Do not these compar-
| isons, from official figures, mean something
Do they not mean that Democratic govern
ment is more economical?
We would remind the party, too, that we
are on the eve of presidential election, and
upon the preliminary contest this year viii
largely depend our success next. The NORTH
and West seem to have repudiated Republl
can rule. Last fall there was an unbroken
line of Democratic victory from ocean tic
ocean. This year the local elections indicate
that the high tide OF Democratic success has
risen still higher, and bids fair to dFown every
vestige of RepubHcanism. While triumph
was being won everywhere through bout tthf
Union, the Maryland Democracy alone fall
tered Shall we again be laggards in the bat
tie for deliverance from Repubicanism
Shall we turn our backs in the hour of Demo
cratic success on the party which we have ad
hered to in its time of adversely, and condemn
Maryland to be perpetually in a minority?
In conclusion we say to disagreeing leaders,
cease your strife. The Democrat who is moi
willing to forego personal preference and sac
rifce self for the party's good, is unworthy
the name and of any confidence from the
party. To the party, we would say be vigil
ant and watchfuI. Forget not the past; re,
member the present. We would earnestly
recommend, too, that each and every county
send free and untrammeled delegates to the
State convention, in order that it may be a
deliberative body capable of exercising UNI