The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1883-02-03

Eastern Shore gentleman for Governor"
Two weeks ago, by request of two promi-
nent and well-known Democrats on the
Eastern Shore, it published an article pre-
senting the name of Hon. VIM. Mckinney,
of Queen Anne's county, for Governor.
An editorial in the same issue alluded to
the communication, and mentioned MIR.
Roberts, M. Archer and ex-Judge Ford
as others who had been spoken of by their
friends and admirers in connection with
the Democratic nomination. The Herald,
therefore, must have read the ADVOCATE
hastily. As to Mr.. Roberts, Carroll will
90 for him in convention if he desires it.
As to the ADVOCATE, it gives to the party
all political items of Importance, publishes
the names of aspirants, notes the merits
claimed by their friends for them, and gives
its own views as to the sort of men to be
chosen, leaving to the party to decide upon
candidates after giving it such light as we
are able.
If it were proper and right for editors of
a party paper to express individual prefer
ences between candidates in the editorial
columns of their papers, the editors of the
ADVOCATE would spouse the candidacy of
Mr.. Roberts. Such course, however,
would be MUST. There are between three
and four thousand Democrats in this coun-
ty. constituting the Democratic party OF
Carroll, and the ADVOCATE is the partys
organ. The editors have no right to dis
criminate between members of its party.
As individuals and editors they assume two
characters. In the first they stand upon
an equal footing with other Democrats.
In that character they have no right to use
the editorial columns to express individual
preferences as to candidates. As editors
they express opinions as to the kind OF
men for positions, and give to the party
such information, suggestions and views as
to measures and principles as in their Judg-
ment will uphold and further Democratic
principles and the party's interest. There
are among the Democrats of Carroll a num-
Der of gentlemen competent to discharge
the duties of the state offices to be filled
next fall. One has been mentioned for
Governor and another for Comptroller, and
there may be others who are looking to or
would be willing to accept these positions
or that of Attorney General. Only one
candidate will be nominated from Carroll,
in any event. If the ADVOCATE should
espouse the candidacy of one, that would
be an injustice to the others. One has as
much right to have the influence of its
editorial columns as another
A party paper should not be personal
organ. When it becomes so its usefulness
is impaired, and it no longer represents the
party's interest With party paper all
persons of that faith should be upon the
same footing. Personal or factional organs
are destroying parties everywhere. When
party journal champions one man or set
of men and ignores others, the ignored will
soon see that the paper has ceased to be a
party journal and will set up another.
This in turn will in time become faction
paper and between the two the rank and
file become Disguised and turn down both
factions, even if the opposition become sue
cessful There are in some counties of
Maryland two factions and two personal
organs of one political faith, the result of
personal journalism. In the HeroIds own
county there are two factions in the Re
publican party, and two factional organs
The Herald is for Ensor and the Union
for Ditty. There is always quarrel at
the primaries, lukewarm support OF the
ticket from the defeated side, and crimina-
tions and determinations after the election
is over. In Hartford there are two factions
in the Democratic party, and two Demo-
cratic papers, and although the Democrats
have from four to six hundred majority,
they have occasionally lost the county.
There are two factions in Cecil county in
the Democratic party, one Democratic paper
and another paper that can be used fortac-
tional purposes when needed. In Cecil, too,
Democratic majority of four or five hun
dred has sometimes been brushed away
and Republican triumph scored. In
Frederick there are two factions in the Re
publican party, and each has an organ
Frederick has Republican majority OF
from five to six hundred, yet faction fights
have so disorganized the party that the
Democrats elected clerk there few years
ago, and will probably carry half of their
ticket through next fall In Montgomery
county there are two factions in the Demo-
cratic party and two Democratic organs,
and in spite of a Democratic majority OF
from six to eight hundred, Republican
holds seat In the Maryland Senate from
that county. There are two factions and
two organs in the Democratic party of
Washington, Kent, Queen Anne's, Talbot,
Caroline, Dorchester, Somerset and "of-
eester counties, and these counties have
sometimes been carried by the Republicans
through factional contests. In Washing
ton county there are two factions and two
factional papers in the Republican party,
and party unity there is never secured
Personal politics and personal journalism
is the bane of the times. A party journal
should be actuated by principles always.
When it becomes personal Or faction or
oan it DESTROYS it's usefulness and disrupts a