Montgomery County sentinel., 1890-08-08

tide him over difficulty that he possesses
the capacity for usefulness, we do not pre-
tend to deny. 1t is his failure to employ |
these useful faculties in right direction,
that emphasizes his unfitness to guide the
affairs of a commonwealth. AS the leader
of faction, Senator German is one Of the
foremost men Of his time; as the leader OF
party he. will always prove failure. Adroit
politician he undoubtedly is; statesman he
is not, and never can be. For twenty years
he has been prominent figure in Maryland
politics. OF all the reforms that have been
adopted in that time, he has not originated
or championed one. Nay, there is not one
of them that he did not at first oppose with
all his might, yielding at last reluctant ac-
quiescence when the pressure threatened to
sweep him away. We have never heard of
him as making an effort to stem the tide of
corruption at Annapolis or elsewhere, or to
rout the lobby; as striving TO lift the poll
tics of his State to higher and purer levels !;
as exercising his mind in devising means
for bettering the general condition OF the peo-
ple On the contrary, the men who composed
the lobby, who levied tribute upon every
interest seeking legislation, who thwarted
every effort TO relieve the burdens Of the
people, have, without an exception, been
the men who fought Senator Germans bat
ties, and without whose aid-often con-
tributed by disreputable means-he would
have been powerless. AS consequence
the few men who have had the courage to
stand up against his schemes and those of
his followers, have been unable to accom-
plish substantial results, for two reasons
first, because all their time was employed
in efforts to defeat the most glaring and cor
rupt measures which he brought forward or
sanctioned and secondly, because he has
always had the power to prevent the adop-
ton of legislation based upon advanced idea;
of administrative reform. All this has result
ed in divided party, and there are to-day
| thousands of earnest Democrats in the State
who arc in revolt, not against the party, but
against the man. Certainly he is not a wise
| leader who could thus ALLEVIATE considera.
BILE portion of those who upon fundamental
principles side with him, nor can we think
very highly of his loyalty who would jeopar-
die his party for the sake of individual
success.
We have said this with regret, 1t is not
pleasant thing to warn men of impending
danger. But a duty rests upon the con
scientious journalist, and if he foresees dis
aster, he has no right to withhold his candid
| judgment We do not advise the people Of
this State to abate one jot of their energy
and determination to carry forward the Dem
ocratic ticket at the November election in
every Congressional District. The attitude
of the party on these Federal questions is
worthy of all commentator, and mighty
interests wait upon the result of the election
But we warn them not to lose sight of their
| local affairs. 1t is not too soon to study the
situation and cast about for earnest men
as candidates year hence. The existing
autocracy cannot continue without the peo
pies acquiescence; it cannot be broken ex
cept by the peoples endeavor.