The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1885-09-12
A Contrast.

A Contrast.
Some Republican journals have attempted
to be funny over the numerous applications
Of Democrats for Office under the Cleveland
Administration. These attempts at wit might
have had some point, and been amusing, but
for the fact that Republican President was
assassinated by disappointed ofice-seek
and the Republican party split up over the
possession of federal and state Offices.
AS to Democrats, they are entitled to fill
every appointment under the government.
The people last fall voted for Change
change of men as well as measures and there
is nothing odious nor unseemly in any Demo
crat applying for position. This is peoples
government and it is the right ofeyery citizen
to aspire to a share in administering it. 1t is
particularly the right of Democrats, because
the people have just decided that they desired
change from Republican to Democratic gov.
eminent.
The Democratic party is not party organ
lied to seek and hold Office merely. 1t is
party of principle 1t has lived for nearly
century, with the same fundamental principles
to-day that were formulated by Jefferson in
his first inaugural eighty-fve years ago. 1t
has not split and gone to pieces when adverse
fortune overlook it, but battled on for the right
steadfastly and zealously. Democrats relaxed
not when prosecuted and driven from the
polls at the point of the bayouet, and were
insulted and imprisoned for opinions sake.
When there was no hope Of success they de-
clared their principles, put candidates in the
field, and went forth to preach Democracy
and reform, always having an abiding faith
in the business of their cause and knowing
that Democratic principles would be upper
most when the passion and prejudice OF the
hour passed away. Three or four times they
saw the government pass into the hands OF
the opposition, but they despaired not. For
twenty-four years previous to last March their
opponents held power, and they saw viola
ton of every article of the constitution and
nearly every law; they saw the most reckless
extravaganza; they saw rings formed every
where for the purpose of public plumber, &c.
For five years of that time to protest against
such acts, was high treason. Backed by fed
eral bayonets, for five years of that time the
Republican party in some states, Maryland
included, would not permit Democrats to vote,
and in others counted the ballots so as to
make Republican majority appear. From
1860 to 1865, and even later, Democrats had
no rights Republican was bound to respect.
But the Democratic party, true to principle,
and with patriotic resolve, pressed steadily
forward Their efforts were crowned with
success in 1876, but they we're not dismayed
even though they saw the victory wrested
from them by shameful methods. Not only
was the party not dismayed, but its great
leader in that campaign has lived to see near
ly all the rascals, great and small. engaged in
the theft of the Presidency, come to grief
Some have died by the assassins hand, some
passed away after long months of suffering,
some have filled drunkards' grave, some are
behind prison bars. some are homeless wan
derers in foreign lands-Dut Samuel Tlden
still lives, and the great Democratic party still
lives. 1t has recently succeeded to power,
and when the present lease of four years is
terminated, the beneficial results of Demo
cratic government will be so apparent to all
a further lease will be overwhelmingly voted.
The Republican party, on the other hand.
has always been party bent on office princi-
pally. 1t has organized under various names,
but usually composed of the same clements. /
After national defeat or two, the name has
been changed. For twenty-five years it sailed
under the name of Republican, (although /
there was small party of that name before,)
but since its defeat we see the name being |
changed in some states, and in some others
the party has refused to go into the fall cam
paign at all. 1t has no principles, and where
there is no hope of Office the party retires
from the field.
In Maryland the Republican party is as
lukewarm as possible. There is some stir in
counties where they have majority, but there
is no interest manifested in the state cam
paign. In Carroll many Republicans are OPP |
posed to putting county ticket in the field,
because the Democrats have majority That
majority has existed for eighteen years, how
ever, and yet the party has always put forth
candidates. Why is this change now? What
reason exists now for retiring from the field |
that did not exist before? No hope Of object /
As long as the Republican party had control
of the national government, there were post
Offices to be filed, and hundreds of places in
the custom house and postofiice at Baltimore,
and in the internal revenue service. These
places being gone-or shortly will be-there
is desire on the part of many Republicans
to dsband and retire. The party has no
principles to contend for? 1t is party for
office solely. When the Offices are lost. dis
bandment is next in order? We have always
said that the Republican party was only held
together by the cohesive power of public
plumber, but we did not believe that our words
would be verified so soon in Carroll.