Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1897-11-12
THE LEssON or TIE ELECTION.

THE LESSON or THE ELEC1IOA.
The SENTINEL has uniformly accepted
the results Of the primary elections and sup
ported the nominees Of the Democratic
party. Al times we may have felt called
upon To criticise the conduct Of individuals
in places Of responsibility and power, a.
tending 10 discredt the party and endsnger
its supremacy in the State or delay the sp-
plication Of It's principles To the sdminlstra-
ton Of Federal affairs; and this was duty
as well as right, springing from sincere be
lief In party principles and answering
efforts in behalf Of party success. A ike
duty rests upon us now in the day OF defeat,
10 find, II we can, the cause Of disaster and
point out the course which will avert 1t IN
the future.
Doubtless there were a number Of infu-
ences Of greater or less weight which com
bined 10 produce the result, but it would be
Idle and disingenuous 10 disguise the fact
that Senator Gormah' 8 candidacy for reelec'
ton was more potent than all the rest TO-
eether. We take this view without any feel
ing Of personal hostility to Mr.. German, and
without stopping 10 discuss the justice Of the
opposition To him which exists in the Dem
ocratic ranks The important fact is that the
opposition exists and is likely 10 continue
40 long a. the machinery Of the party is
kept in the hands OF his especial friends and
used for his political advancement.
While we reirained, during the campaign,
from giving expression 70 this view, we have
all along had no doubt and are now con-
frmed 10 the opinion, that had Mr. German
last spring, in advance Of the opening OF the
campaign, honestly withdrawn from the
contest, Democratic victory would have been
easily accomplished, and Mr.. German himself
would have been stronger in the future, be
cause his retirement would have disproVed
the charge of sel6shness which was used
against him with such telling effect. AS 1t
was, at every stage of the campaign he held
the reins more tightly than ever before IN
his life, and strove TO combine all currents
10 bear him on 10 victory, and the result was
that large numbers Of earnest party men be
came uhlly U1UIe anu uioiS SOu'ihNNS '"t-s
his SUCCESS portended an exacting and re-
lentless party machine, from which the only
relief lay in revolt.
II is difficult TO conceive Of loyal party
man insisting upon his own candidacy un-
der conditions which threaten defeat, when,
without his candidacy, the chances all point
ed " success, and 1t was this insistence on
Mr.. Germans part that drove thousands OF
men to vote against his ticket and induced
thousands more 10 remain at home.
1t follows that conditions must change II
the Democratic party is to regain power in
MARYLAND In three successive campaigns
we have met defeat under leader whom
many refused 10 follow. The fact that they
will not follow him must be recognized In
the future battles Of the party, and the plat
form and organization Of the party must
henceforth I've broad and liberal and just
enough 10 include all who oppose Repubi-
canism on fundamental questions. There
must be an end Of the conditions and
methods which foster opposition and dis
content in the party ranks.