Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1884-10-31
For Congress,
FREDERICK J. NELSON,
THE DUTY OF THE HOUR.


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THE DUTY OF THE HOUR
For three long months we have devoted
the best energies Of our mind and heart in
to our readers that the Republican
party has no principles, no convictions, no
honesty That it advocates no legislation
by which the public interests may be bene-
fitted That II stands on nothing which
touches the popular heart, and that for
more than twenty years its administration
of public affairs has been characterized by
the most shameful frauds, populations and
crimes.
We have endeavored to show that con-
tinuation of this party in power means a
continuation of these evils, and that II party
managed after such methods would breed
public corruption, and mark its course in
dur national history by a series of fragrant
usurpations Of public and private rights I'M
til in few years the best government ever
designed for man would be crushed by
Capitalization of power moro CALLING and
oppressive than Austrian tyranny.
We have maintained that whilst the CAPT.
talist must be protected in his rights of
property, he should not have special advan-
tages and privileges from the government
over the poor and the unfortunate, and any
attempt 10 obtain the same, either by con
trolling the legislature or judicial power by
the influence of concentrated wealth, or by
means of corrupting and controlling the
elections by the use of money, tends newt
ably To weaken the tenure of prosperity,
and ultimately to revolution. That the CAPT
tuist should be contented with complete
protection in his rights, but when he seeks
To control the government, or to influence
and corrupt the elections by the use of
money he dsturbs and pollutes the fountain
head Of authority and weakens and endan-
gers his own rights.
We have held with Jefferson's opinion,
shat the blessings of government like the
dews Of heaven, should fall equally and
alike upon all, the rich and the poor, the
great and the small" in other words, that
government 10 its true majesty was the har-
mony Of the State, all men paying it hon.
age, the least as feeling its care and the
greatest as not exempt from its power. That
all men are created equal as to their in
alienable rights, and Us 10 the protection of
their government, and equal AS to being the
source from which the just powers of the
government are derived--that these truths
furnished the true foundation Of our political
system, TO which all amendments, changes
and reforms should conform.
We have struggled To enforce upon our
readers the further truth, that the govern
ment which we enjoy is in trust for Others,
and moral principle impels us to preserve
its integrity aud guard its purity. The sac.
rifices of the Revolution, the tolls of its coun-
Gil chambers, the blood split upon thou.
sand battle fields pending our recent dead "
strife, we've not for one generation, but for
all, and each holds the sacred legacy in
trust for that which is To follow. There is
involved In the obligation of each TO the
past duty TO the future, upon which rests
the hope OF coming time, and the preserva.
tion OF individual freedom in the economy
of nations. That IL this country is driven
from its high position as the representative
OF popular sovereignty and free govern
ment-lf fanatIcism perverts TO its mad de
signs the constitution, or selfish abandon
ment Of the duties OF nationality TO indi
yidual ACKNOWLEDGEMENT, how long before the
people will he aroused by the jarring ele
ments oil civil power and wake to hear th,
crash Of ruin and curse the indifference,
which has wrought il. Open treason which
strikes boldly the sacrilegious blow, canno
accomplish more surely its desperate pur
pose than quiet treason which loses th,
citizen in the sel6shness Of the man, an,
forgets the national good, as IN the case of tn,
Republican party, in the idolatry of indi
yidual gain.
We have advocated that the adminstra
ton of the general government be trans
ferred to the National Democratic party be
cause it is party Of the people, for the PEG
pile and from the people. That the returl
Of the Democracy will be the harbinger o
better and brighter days for the Republic
the end Of humiliating and degrading pub
lic scandals and the earnest Of an era o
political conscience and individual response
bility TO public opinion. That il is not sim
ply change that the people want, but
restoration of true Democratic methods anC
principles, wholesome system OF publ,
policy and a revival Of honest, economic
forms OF administration. Mr.. Jefferson eve
contended that the measures best calculated
ID meet and promote the growing interests
of the Republic were embodied In the Demo
cratic party, and we have learned to realize
through the vigor OF experience that that
studied precedence given the rich and power
ful of the present day cannot be tolerated
among people thoroughly embued with
the principles and philosophy of govern
nent as inculcated by Thomas Jefferson.
The intelligent voters of the country must
realize that the shameless assessments 10
raise money TO corrupt elections, the base
prostitution Of the powers Of the govern
ment 10 partisan purposes, the countenance
and aid given 10 reputation Of State in.
debtsdness, the bribery and corruption Of
the trial by jury by the Department of JUS
uce itself; In short, the general demoraliza-
.'"h ana exsravagance In the administration