The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1883-09-29
DEMOCRATIC MISGIVINGS

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and for their fragrant misuse of power,
intend to teach their leaders revolu'
tionary lesson, by absenting themselves
from the polls, and allowing the present
election to go by default.
1t is no less true, that Mr.. German,
recognizing the danger of the present
emergency of his party, assumed at the
opening of the proceedings of the recent
convention very assuring tone. Ills
calm and imperturbable manner may
have allayed the apprehensions of some
of his hearers, from the rural districts,
but the tone of the speeches of many of
his party associates in that body, was
has undoubtedly shown rare ability as a
manager, and has recently exhibited
afresh his superiority as shrewd and
astute leader. He is probably the only
man of his wing of the Democracy, who
had brains enough to extricate his party
from the dangers and divisions which
have so recently threatened it's organiza-
ton. He has not only outwitted his am
bilious rival, Mayor White, and turned
to his own account a formidable organi-
cation within the parry ranks, but by
shrewd management, and skillful manip-
ulatio2 of local leaders, has for the time
being averted, what recently promised to
be an open and irrevocable disruption of
the Democratic party Of the State. Sue
cessful however, as he has been in mat
tiers of organization, the election by the
people of his ticket, is quite another
thing, and assuring as were his words
recently, it is evident that many of his
party associates do not share them with
him.
Contrast for moment Mr.. German S
language with that of other gentlemen
in the recent State convention.
"You have' said he, upon calling the
convention to order. been chosen by such
fair and impartial methods, that no one
can justly question your right to voice
the will of the entire party
Now what were the far and impartial
methods, to which Mr.. German refers,
and by which his majority in the State
convention was secured?
Was not one Of these methods, to Sc
lect trusted agents in every county of the
State, who in turn choosing their men
for delegates to the county convention,
should by every means known to shrewd
politicians, secure particular men as
county delegates to the State conven-
ton?
Isn't this popularity known as pacI;"g
conventions?
Were not such tickets PIT up at the
primaries, and put through in local con
ventions, i'll every county of the State,
where such a process was possible?
Wasn't it the case in Cecil county?
Wasn't the County delegation selected
from one wing of the party only, and
the other wing of it strictly ignored?
Not only so, but was not the local
ticket itself, made up of men selected
from this wing, without single repre-
sentation from the other?
Was it not in condemnation of this
very process, which he did not think far
and impartial, and which opinion is
shared by hundreds of Democrats, that
Mr.. Downs said in the convention at
Baltimore, "lWe do not present him
Col. McKenney-as the politician 'cho
fires aires and packs conventions, but as a
man honest and good"
Evidently there were men even in that
convention who did not think that to fix
wires and pack conventions, were in Mr..
Germans language, fair and impartial
methods.
Again: eve all agree" says Mr.. Cor
man, 'that the record of the party since
its return to power in 1867, is one that
we can justly be proud off, y bold as
sertion indeed, and one very assuring to
those who admire fair and impartial
methods in politics.
"The people know that it is only
through the Democratic party that they
can hope to have the State and National
administered in their inter-
est
Now if the people know what Mr.. Cor
man asserts they do, whence all this pop
ular clamor against ''bosses," and why
this prevailing unpopularity of 1.-THE ma
chine" in Maryland?
Why do Democrats take such special
pains to aoGrn the leaders not to do this,
and caution them to do the other thing?
Why the general apprehension in the
Democratic mind that all may not be well
with the party. but for some indication
upon the part of the people that past acts
have been offensive?
why" to use Ex-Gov. Thomas Ian
guage as chairman of the late State Con-
vention, care the people whom you rep
resent awaiting with intense interest and
anriety the result of your deliberations ?"
Why does the Ex-Governor abjure his
party brethren to re-affirm the grand Old
Jeffersonian maxim Everything for the
cause, nothing for mem?
Why at the same time and place does
Mr.. John B. Brown of Centreyilc, think
it necessary to tell his brethren that
there is bitter and determined spirit in
the party. That unless we provide a
remedy, this feeling of discomfort will
break out in open revolt. The whole press
of the State teens with it. Platforms
and promises will not make the remedy.
We must nominate men who are not con-
nected with those parties who have almost
brought the party to ruin" Who does
Mr.. Brown refer too
Why does Mr.. Keedy take occasion to
tell his party such unwelcome facts that
1--WE all know that Baltimore city has
time and again controlled the people Of
the whole State by stuffed ballots?'
Why does he denounce the maintenance
of numerous useless offices, kept up, at
the expense of the people, aad remind
his party that this is an age OF progress?
Why does he denounce these Offices as
gifts to the individual, keeping men in
political places and not for the benefit Of
the people?
Why all these cautions, these warnings,
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