The Baltimore County union. [volume] (Towsontown, Md.) 1865-1909, 1884-03-29
THE PRIMARIES.

5 m R5Ss s Ct 1 dH s il ssEaa
The annals cfno other nation betray such thought
less disregard of unexampled political blessings
as has, VIGOROUSLY, become the characteristics OF
our own. The individual citizen never for a mo-
ment realizes the pregnant fact that the conser-
walton of his personal liberty whose priceless val
ne obscured by the familiar blessings which should
illustrate it, is entirely in his own hands. 1t is
in his own keeping. 1t can never be openly
wrested from him. And when it is lost; when
isidieus and unperceived agencies of ruin devel-
op into active power, he will discern in their ORR
gin the seed of his own folly and in their conse-
quences the fruit of his own criminal neglect.
Born to afiuence, the prodigal discovers only
in his poverty the wealth he has lost. Born to
health, the squanderer of healthful conditions
learns in sickness and decay the boon be has for
feited. Born to political heritage, comforting
upon every one the grandest and sweetest condl-
tons of life, we shall awake to its appreciation,
perhaps, only when the Delilah of cajoling indit-
ference shall have shorn US of our strength and
delivered us to our enemies. To large degree
we have approximated this very condition. A
glance at the political organizations of nearly
every State in the Union discovers the fact that
the people do not govern. They are the dupes and
slaves ofdesigning politicians and corrupt "rings
They see this they feel it; they lament and yet,
nairGbile dicta they permit it. But for this, the
great Rebellion might have occurred.
Never did "ring" potency more distinctly assert
its tendency nor more mercilessly its power than
in driving the Southern states into rebellion. The
greed of gain, the greed of power, the unhappy
traits of mankind at large, logically and by nat
ural law crystalize into "rings" Such is their
instinct such their congenial and reciprocal ain-
ity. The downfall of empires and notably the
downfall of liberty in every land is directly trace
able to ''ring." Nowhere is the "ring" more
pompously rampant than just here in our land,
and nowhere is it more susceptible to easy de-
struction. 1t is entirely within the power of the
people to destroy it. The means are simple
attend your primaries and to it that your cul-
pable Indifference does not permit a "ring" to
put its ticket in the field because of your absence,
and then compel either your vote or voluntary
Acknowledgement. In the present organization
Of partiss-organization resulting LARGELY from
potent and serious engine of right or wrong, good
or evil. The primary is the life of the "ring."
1t is here that popular negligence of duty gives it
the reins of power and destiny. The simple
hearted voter scouts the idea of hating team or
pillow to attend primary. "It amounts to moth
ing" says he with pastoral simplicity; "wait till
the election" The election comes and he is vexed
by consciousness that the ''ticket is all wrong"
and he realizes ere long that his vote at "gen-
eral election is but the sustainment of bad men
and evil influences.
If we were asked (which election q voter can
best afford to neglect-the primary or the gener-
alive should unhesitatingy answer, the latter,
and for the reason that the great mass of voters
of either party are honest citizens, sincerely de-
sirous of good government and therefore capable
of placing only honest and efficient men in nom
ination. When this obtains in both parties we
need not tremble for the result of the general
election. And why? Because honest and capable
men, be they Democrats or Republicans, are at
the least friends to the people-friendly to right
and duty, and safe custodians of public interests
Then, attend your primaries. In other lands
where Imperial power and privileged orders
make citizen suffrage an empty farce, real man,
with honest pride, may scorn its use, but in this
Sweet Home of Liberty-in this land of uncrowned
Kings-let every man rally around the safeguard
of his iberty-"The Primaries"