The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1889-05-24
Is f. l. A L H, M d.
Friday Morning, May "a, 1889.
The Future of the Democratic Party.


An immense audience assembled at the
Concorda Opera House, Baltimore, on Tues
day night, to hear an address by Hon. Isidor
Rayner, on the Future of the Democratic
Party" Hon. VIM. A. Fisher presided.
The address was listened 10 with attention
during the two hours it took to deliver it.
MIR. Rayner first spoke of the Democratic
party in the country at large. He repudia,-
ed the idea that there is no real difference
between the two great parties and went on
to show in what respect the Democratic par
ty differs from other parties and upon what
it bases its hopes for the future.
First and foremost, he said, this is a govern
ment Of the people, while the Republican
party is the party of the classes and not of
the masses. Its banners are distinctly in
scribed:
"Protection to the American Monopolist'
and taxation to the whole American people
to enrich the interests and enterprises of the
particular sections and localities that furnish
the resources for Republican success"
He held that the question OF tariff is not an
economic one but a political and constitution
al one, whether the government has the right
TO levy taxes beyond the limits of its neces-
sary expenses and obligations for the purpose
of enriching the producers and manufactur-
ers who control the supply, at the expense Of
the people who consume the products.
He also took strong ground against the
right or power of Congress to reconstruct
local governments in the South. Local self
government, he argued, must be maintained.
He expressed himself as in full accord with
the civil service law.
Mr.. Rsyner laid down the sound doctrine
that the Democratic party is opposed to
spending the peoples money for the benefit
OF particular interests and sections that will
not inure to the benefit of the whole country.
lie showed that the aims and tendencies of
the Republican party arc vastly different
from those ofthe Democratic party and not
In accord with the principles inculcated by
the founders of our republic.
Leaving national affairs be spoke pointed
ly of the condition of the Democratic party
In Maryland. He believed in looking at it
squarely in the face, not to try temporarily
to bridge it over, but to adopt some perma-
nent plan TO keep the State, in accordance
with the true sentiment of a large majority
of our people, safely within the Democratic
ranks This can not be done, he thought, by
converting the warning factions and dividing
the public perquistes and patronage among
them, for there is power outside of their
ranks which demands something besides
this.
The Republican party, he said, is under the
most thorough discipline, and presents an I'M
broken front, their objective point being the
next Legislature and a Republican Senator
from Maryland, The Republican party is
upon its good behavior now it always be-
hayes well when 1t is in the minority and can
do no harm. 1t always clamors for reform
when out Of power but whenever it is in
power and has the opportunity to reform, it
yearns for the spoils and patronage with an
appetite that betokens the days of famine.
MIR. Rayner next proposed a remedy for the
troubles in the Democratic party. 1t is
very simple one, too, and its effectiveness is
undoubted. In the first place, lie wants the
principle proclaimed that when public offices
are to be filled the best men should he press
ed To the front and the scalawags sent TO the
rear. Next, we want men nominated for
the Legislature who will command the re-
spect and confidence of the people, who are
rot pledged to anybody for anything and
who will serve the interests of the people.
Absolute fairness in selecting candidates is
another prerequisite for Democratic success,
80 that the ticket nominated will represent
the peoples choice and no one else's. What
is required, he thought, in candidates is in
tegrity more than ability
Altogether, Mr.. Rayner's address was able
and timely 1t is better for party as for an
individual to have its faults pointed out by a
friend before it is too late to correct them.
The future of the Democratic party is in
the hands of the members of the party
themselves. Let all those who desire honest
pure government, upon Democratic princi-
piles, take part in the prelminaries of the
campaign let them do as Mr.. Rayner advises
give no encouragement to weak ineffi-
cient men or men of no character, who aspire
to be nominated. Select honest, faithful men
and there will be no doubt of their election,
nor of their fitness to perform the duties of
office, when they are elected.