Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1883-09-21
For Surveyor,
CHARLES Il. TOWNSEND
THE STATE CONVENTION.

THE STATE CONTENTION.
1t has been said that "history is philoso-
ply teaching by examples" and it would
have been well for mankind in past times
If they had mere generally acted upon the
experience and information 10 be derived
from the annals Of their forefathers So
ciety, il is true, is ever changing, the human
race is continually advancing and never
recedes, and il is rarely indeed that COM
binatien of circumstances occurs again pre-
cisely similar to any which had preceded IL.
But amid the infinite diversity of human
affairs, and the increasing progress of So
ciety there are certain principles which are
of universal application, and the neglect or
observance of which, in all ages, has been
attended with the same consequences
Whatever" says DIR. johnson, snakes the
past or the future predominant over the pres
ent, exalts us in the scale of thinking beings"
The words are familiar to every one till
they have become trite, but the thought is
often far removed from the most contem,
plative breasts. To rise superior TO the
pressure Of existing events, to generalize
at once from the past and the present, and
= to draw differences in regard to the future,
which shall be just even in the ever-change-
full current of human affairs, is perhaps the
highest effort Of philosophical power. Facts
are but the milestones which mark the
progress of IDEAS Thought governs, forces
yield and obey, Prejudice, custom and error
have at last to yield to intellect.
These observations lead us to the assertion
that that public trust is best and most wisely
executed which, while it tends to strengthen
the public good, at the same time does not
result in wrong or work an injury upon
those by whom it was delegated. The con-
vention which assembled in Baltimore, on
Wednesday, in the consideration of those
subjuct-matters for which it was called, rose
TO an elevated plane of action Fresh from
the people where the claims of rival aspi-
rants have been canvassed and every ques-
ton bearing upon a successful campaign
had been fully and freely discussed and
considered, and evidently impressed with a
proper appreciation of the magnitude of the
responsibility resting upon its acuon--it is
hut fair to presume, and the conclusion
warrants the presumption, that the convcn-
zion in arriving at a solution and settle
ment of the questions and difficulties by
which il was environed, an even confronted
prior Ia its assembly, has been controlled
by desire to preserve intact the harmony
of the party and thus il sure its success
If local prejudces have been set aside, il
personal claims and ambitions have been
disregarhed, il partialities and prejudices
have not been pandered To, il the influence
Of rings and factions have been ignored,
let IL liz remembered that in reaching con.
clusion the great aim has been 10 select men
whose record and experience commands ad.
miration and invites confidence.
\ Other than such action could not well have
NSmanated from convention composed of
3 Nme OF the most matured experience and
Alent uf the party in the State--some of
them from among those old master spirits
who, in the darkest hours OF our national
existence, and when the Democratic column
was near giving away under the maddencd
pillows Of sectional hate, were heard to cry
Out amid the fury and the blackness OF the
Storm Waterman, tell us OF the night r-
Other than such action would have para
lyzed the hopes and prayers of large por-
iion of our party and rendered doubtful our
success at the November election.
With differences of opinion reconciled,
with divisions harmonized and united, with
animosites appeased and rounded of all an
galarities, under the influence Of Democratic
icaiy; Of the people, from the people aud for
tie people the Hon. Robert NJ McLane has
been selected as our gubernatoriu candi.
date He comes before us as no stranger;
his brilliant record in public life. the more
closely il Is studied the more formidable il
grows because Of its purity. Studying and
understanding the science Of government as
impaired 10 us by the very founders Of our
country, he has aided in fostering and en-
couraging that species of legislation which
tends 10 give tone and character 10 our in
situations at home and abroad, elevates the
millions who work, creates thought, diffuses
and strengthens intellectually, and causes
the current Of civil power to flow so smooth
ly that no one need feel its pressure.
During the past four years he was distin.
guished member of Congress, the peer Of
any in the House, and no constituency in
that body had more faithful representa-.
tive. His eloquence was of fascinating
order, and had the quality ascribed by DIR.
johnson TO Goldsmith's pen, Of adorning
everything IL touched. The hardest and
driesf subjects, the most uninteresting de-
tails the most barren incidents, derived an
interest from his method Of handling them,
and he never tailed 10 command attention
throughout any speech be made, Vet il be us
long as 1t might. His elocution was chaste
bis enunciaiion rapid, his voice round and