Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1895-10-19
POLITICS.!
The Situation as Seen by
Democratic Papers.
Delaware Interested !
Her Papers Say il Will be II Ca
lamity for the Republicans
to Win.
Delaware Democrat lGeorretownl

4
pecially for the citizens of Delaware,
its near neighbor. We all feel the
deepest regret for the want Of harmony
that exists within the Democratic ranks
of that State, not only for the effect il
may have upon the result this fall but
also for the influence upon the nation
al election next year. If only the cit
liens of Maryland were to be affected
by the disaster of a Republican victory
in that State, while we could not help
but sympathize with them, we would
not feel that intense personal interest
in the contest we now have. The
Democrats of Maryland should recol.
lect that the cause of Democracy for
the entire nation will be fought for in
November of next year, and that the
elections soon to come off are the pre-
liminary skirmishes of that grand con-
test. A loss in Maryland or Kentucky
or any other State now, through divis-
ions among the Democrats is so much
towards Republican victory in 1896,
and it is the duty of every Democrat
to do all that lies in his power to pre-
vent such calamity.
There was time in the history Of
our own State when dissatisfaction was
so great in Democratic ranks rs to
threaten disruption of the party. On
all such occasions the Republicans
were busy sowing the seed of disafiec-
ton just as they are now in Maryland,
endeavoring in every way 10 widen the
breach among their opponents in order
to ensure victory for themselves. Hap
PLY our people were able to resist the
temptations to desert the standard of
the party and at the polls united upon
the regular tickets and elected them.
The Democratic party has always been
party of principle and rot of mere
personal feeling. The people here, as
rule, supported the candidates nom-
mated at their conventions, not be-
cause they were personal friends, but
because they represented the principles
for which they fought. Any other
method would soon disorganize any
party that ever existed and leave it
to the tender mercy Of its foes.
The people of Maryland, or those
Democrats who are so bitterly oppOs-
ing the regular nominations, are plac-
ing themselves in the position of those
who care not what becomes of the
principles they are supposed to contend
for, 50 that the men to whom they are
opposed on personal grounds are de-
feated. They care not that the State
passes into the hands of the Republi-
cans, 10 whose principles they profess
to be 50 bitterly opposed, so that men
who represent themselves in principle
are defeated for office. Ii this is
Democracy we do not understand the
meaning OF the word. If this is that
devotion to principle that all good
men should possess we confess that we
are unable to see what good can result
from it. II seems to us that the effect
il can have will be to disintegrate the
party not only for the present but for
future years, and that it will take
long time for it TO recover from it, if
successful at this time.
We say, therefore, to our Demo-
cratic brethren OF Maryland that
serious consequences may result if they
do not change their course before elec-
ton, not only for themselves but the
country. Do not, therefore, sacrifice
your principles to your preiudices and
allow opponents to gain ioothold in
your State. Only a few years ago
this was done and by your own state
ments we are informed that an era Of
extravaganza and misgovernment was
inaugurated from which your common
wealth has not yet recovered.
One such experience should be suili-
cient for any State and if YOU would
prevent it second time there is not
an hour to be lost in beginning. When
harmonious there is no danger of the
State being lost to Democracy, there
fore, commence at once to heal the
divisions and there will he no danger.