Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1893-06-30
THE PEOPLE AND THE PRIMARIES.

THE PEOPLE AND THE PRIMARIES.
Now that the date for the primary election
has been announced, we may look for in.
creased interest in Its result and increased
activity on the part Of candidates and their
friends tits, of course, quite natural that
those who seek the votes Of the people should
work with zeal and earncstness, hut the
really important thing is, that voters should
exercise judgment and discrimination in Sc
lecting the party's standard bearers Para
doxical as it may seem In the light of our
practice and experience, the great mass of
the people who are not candidates for office
are really those who have most at stake and
who are chiefly responsible for the results
of primary elections and nominating con
ventions.
Time and again II has been pointed out
by thoughtful men that the primary cleo
ton is not only the source of all political
power in our county, but is also the expires
sion of the political morality OF the com
munity, and this does not state the case too
strongly. 1t is true that many men vote
carelessly, without the intention 10 inflict
wrong, and from desire to do neighborly
act or because "Bill is a good fellow" But
this does not excuse the carelessness, for
"Bill' may be after all sadly incompetent
and no one knows il better than his kind
hearted neighbor.
The truth is-a truth which public spiri,
ed and patriotic men will always recogniz.
and act upon-that principle should inhu
ence our votes at primary elections as well
as at general elections. 1t is generally true
that those who have for alang time con
uollod parties become AFRO ht and dicta
torial, assuming to determine party policies,
insisting upon improper nominations, and
employing the public patronage. present AMI
prospective, confluence the venal, or threat
ening the party lash" TO terrorze the timid.
They appeal to party loyalty" well know
ing, all the while, that real party questions
are not involved in the contest and that their
own continuance in power is the chief end
In view. II they succeed, the result is
lower political morality, a greater stumbling
block in the way of the peoples deliverance
from the tyranny oil the politicians.
These reflections are not out OF place at
this time in Montgomery county. Never
before has the party machinery been EN-.
ploYed in the interest OF particular candl.
dates who are supposed TO be acceptable TO
party leaders" and never has there been 80
bold an attempt as is now being made To os.
tracize all those who dare TO hold opinions
of their own and refuse 10 follow blindly
Leadership which they distrust No matter
how loug man may have voted the Dem
ocratc ticket, no matter how earnestly he
may have striven for Democratic success, he
Is pronounced unworthy Of recognition or
endorsement II he voted for Cleveland dele
gates in last years prmares-unless indeed
he will consent TO aid the interests Of the
machine-the consideration being promise
Of Office or of influence 10 secure one. II Is
a condition which should be stated fully and
frankly for the consideration u our people.
They should understand distinctly that fac.
tiona lines have been drawn by self styled
REGULARS" and that men Of character and
ability are being subjected TO persecution Tor
no other reason than that they Opposed the
personal schemes which those who live by 1
politics sought 70 carry through the Legis- !