Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1897-03-11

notices Of our fellow-countian, J. Frank
Ford, and naturally have expressed the
hope that he be continued in the posi-
ton to which he wes chosen some six
years ago, sharing with the rest of the
State ticket, the honor of a majority
approximating thirty thousand votes.
When you published the notice in 1891
Of this majority, il could scarcely have
entered your mind TO conceive that at
the close Of his term there could be the
slightest question of his reelection
should his party honor him with the
nomination. How stands the matter
now, with the majority Of more than thir-
ty-two thousand given the Republican
ticket last November; a Republican adj
ministration installed in Annapolis; a
Republican U. s. Senator, in the person
Of Mr.. Wellington, established as the
unquestioned boss, TO whose viii all Ma
ryland Republicans must bow; to say
nothing of the gentleman who holds our
hOnOred county in the palm Of his hand.
Does the prospect for Democratic sue
cess seem very bright? Are the odds
that suggest insuperable; Periods of
equal darkness, and odds quite as great
have confronted the Democratic party
before today, and yet she has gone forth
TO victory.
There are two chief sources Of party
strength. One, the code of principles
that underlies the party profession, APP
peals to the great masses that make up
the organization, and endures till il is
no longer believed in as truth. The
other, the personal influence and control
of recognized leaders, appeals to much
smaller number, and may, or may not,
rest upon the same foundation. Party
disaster and defeat may spring from va
riety of causes; but for the mos part and
most frequently (the doctrines remain
ing true and unchallenged) they spring
from preponderating individual control,
that has degenerated into mere scram-
BILE for place and Office. The adhesial
power of public plumber has ever been
great, and the influence of "the manage
ment" in determining results, power
full argument in the way of organized OPP
position. But the blow comes at last,
falling not only on those who have been
battening at the public expense, but even
upon those who have revolted at the per-
sonal domination, that has overridden
principle, faith and doctrine, to ensure
their own control. Another fertile source
of party trouble is found in the reckless
ambition of would-be leaders, who would
seek to engraft novel doctrine upon the
old stock, disregarding the old faith, in
the foolish striving after a new follow
ing.
Do you truly desire to see Mr.. Ford
honorsd by reelection? (He will, 1
am sure, excuse my using his name thus
far as text. Do you desire it as mat
ter merely personal, or for the sake of
possible Democratic control? Assum-
ing for yourself and for him the more
creditable aspect, he, as an individual, is
eliminated and the question with your
self as with him and the whole party, is
party victory. This can be had only by
candid acknowledgment and confession
of past faults and an earnest determine
ton to work in full union for the sake of
party doctrine and principle. Person
ally, one may be perfectly unobjection-
able and yet political impossibility.
That, as / conceive, is a proper charac-
terization of many who have had their
abundant share of honor and emolument
at the hands of the Democratic party in
the past, and whose influence finally cul-
minated in the ruin of the party they
professed to serve, but which they mere
" used The obstacle to the success of
Mr. Ford's aspirations, the doubt as to
whether or not we may elect any Demo
crat to office next fall, must be looked
for in the harsh, personal, selfish rule of
the managers and their immediste fol-
lowing, combined with the mad folly of
those who sought to fOist upon the par
ty novel doctrine not less than wretched
dishonesty.
These are harsh words, but say them
with perfect respect to Mr.. German, on
the one hand and Mr.. Bryan, on the other,
rs typical representatives of the classes
whose political crimes have brought de-
feat and shame to the great party of the
people. AS individuals they may be i'm
maculate and deserving of all honor; as
political leaders, they can bring only
ruin to their followers. The party must
be rehabilitated if we are to hope for sue
cess. A contest entered upon, with any
such leadership or issue as characterized
the two recent campaigns in this State
is but challenge to assured defeat.
Respectfully, GEO. THOMAS
MATTAPANy, March s. 1897.
II O.