The Democratic advocate., 1895-12-28
Saturday's Victory.

The Democratic victory last Saturday
was one of the most notable in the history
Of the country. Though only IA Senator
was to be elected. the result settled the
nolitical fate of state and had a cOnsid-
erable influence upon the national election
Of 1896. Had Carroll gone Republican
MARYLAND would have at least been doubt
full next year, and with Maryland doubtful
fbe election of Democratic President
would have been Il matter OF very great
uncertainty.
The political control of the Senate was
;,volved in the result, and with 1t whether
the state would be at the mercy OF set OF
rabid and bitter paltisans who are IN con-
troll of the Republican party.
The issues were momentous, and the
conditions altogether disadvantageous to
the Democratic party. 1t had to meet
party flushed with recent victory, aided by
the power of undistributed patronage, well
supplied with speakers of ability and with
a large campaign fund. Besides this, a
shrewd. scheming and unprinclpled cam
pai"ner was sent into the lower part OF the
county to corrupt election officials and de
bauch the people. He was sent there,
too. it is alleged by distinguished Re
publican of Baltimore who aspires to the
United States Senate--mot this year, bur
two years hence.
From the outset Of the cam .'aign the
Republican reliance was the power d pa
tronage and money Par, lrinci les
were not pressed and comparison ri caIdi-
dates avoided They made most des-
perate contest Dispensers Of ''b""dle
were never so bold Democrats Of neceSsl
tous circumstances were tempted with large
sums to remain away from the polls or
vote the Republican ticket. and attempts
were made 10 bribe the Democratic ballot
clerks of three districts Manchester Free
dom and this. and possibly more. Evidence
is at hand to convict Senator-elect IN an
adjoining county for the attempt in Free
dom. and his impeachment is matter OF
strsng probability. Relying upon the
success of his undertaking, Republican
calculations of success included Repubh-
can majority in that district. And their
figures for Manchester district did not eX-
ceed three hundred majority for the Demo
cratic candidate. when the normal majority
is one hundred more So large was their
cor1Dtion fund. and so bold was its use
and attempted Use, that Republican
majority of from three to four hundred was
confidently expected.
The Democrats made straight issue OF
Democracy versus Republicanism. Twen-
tv-four meetings were held, and from the
platform true Democracy was eNpounded
and reason appealed to. Democrats
were exhorted to stand by their party and
its principles, and the old Jacksonian spirit
was aroused The party turned from per
sonalism to principles. When the true
doctrine was presented the response was
hearty The candidate was a ciear-cut
Democrat, able and popular, and made a
most splendid personal as well as public /
Every Democratic worker and
speaker came to the front. Fractional dl- |
vision disappeared. and the result was Il
triumph unparalleled.
The Democratic party in Carroll Is the !
majority party, as has been demonstrated
steadily for a quarter Of century. Dlvl- !
ion last year and this, i'll November, re-
suited in defeat, but the party has not lost
by desertion or has the Republican party
grown in the same ratio as the Demo
cratic
In the late campaign the Democratic
party was assaulted by the largest corrup-
ton fund ever known in the county, and
its use was the most open and daring ever
ATTEMPTED. The alternative was presented
of meeting Il condition or allowing false
verdict at the polls and the m1iction of
disastrous blow to the party that would
have been far reaching in its influence, and
which would have left the people and their
interests in the hands Of an ambitious, re-
sentful, overbearing and unscrupulous Re
publican cabal. Democrats. as much as
they disliked to, as distasteful was the
task. had to meet the onslaught with like
weapons They had to hold their lines
solid by making good what the opposition
offered, and they had to invade the oppos-
ing lines with tempting offers 50 that a
large part of the Republican fund had to
be expended upon Republican voters.
When it is considered what a desperate
fight the Republicans made; when the
boldness of their attempts at bribery is
contemplated; when the desperation OF
bringing repeaters to Freedom, as was
done, is noted, it is surprising that
Democratic victory was achieved. 1t is "A
matter of great congratulation that the
party withstood the assault, and the party
is to be congratulated that the number OF
its voters who succumbed to the tempting
offers by the Republicans in these hard
times was so small The day was only
saved because the spirit of Democracy was
aroused. because the candidate was able
and popular, and because, in defence Of
themselves, the party met a condition.
The proceedings of Congress this session
will be principally game of politics. The