The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1897-09-24

Fellow Maryland Democrats:
You owe To the political situation, i'll our
beloved Commonwealth, 1t rlain duty
The obligations have accepted rOp OF any
faint OF presumption the call | make on 1ou
40 it,
II every Democrat will perform his plain
duty the hour Of delivcrancc is at hand.
We are the creatures of ii condition. the be-
getting of which is largely our own fault.
We have fallen by the waSSlde, because we
have not stood together.
We have sacrificed. for the time, our true
position as Marylnnders, because we have
grown Indifferent to its Importance.
Accustomed. for generation, to the sun
shine Of political liberty, rs secured by due
regard to constitutional limitations, we have
come TO assume that the sun will shine, of
course, and that our highest duty is to rebuke
the spots on 1t.
/ cannot permit myself to doubt that it is
owing to tins hypercriticsm which, aiming at
the shadow. mas betted the substance, that
we are what area minority party in
majority State,-a band of pensioners, begging
as ii favor what belongs to US as right.
Maryland is essentially Democratic. All its
instincts,-all its purposes,-ail its hopes
tend toward Democratic rule.
Those who are old enough to recall differ
eut regime, have no need of reminder that
Maryland magnan'mity can only prosper
under Democratic supremacy.
AS with men, so with parties, some are born
to rule, and they rule benignantlY, because
th9y rule M turully.
The essence of Democracy Is the aegiS of
liberation.
assume that we all realize these truths; but
To avoid such possible calamity, make this
appeal.
Maryland Democrat would deliberately choose
the sacrifice of his convictions on the altar of
expediency. resentment, or spite.
Apprehension that Indifference, the hybrid
offspring of any two of these, may work an
evil. equally bitter and CALLING is my justitica-
ton for this warning.
We must work, If we would prosper.
We must toll, if we would triumph.
We must guard the portals, If we would
repulse the Zoe.
1t would he uncandid TO deny that he cause
of Democracy has met SOME set-bnckS,-seri-
Gus though undeserved,-in this Democratic
stronghold:
We have lost where we should have won.
We have trailed where we should have
triumphed.
ulaI tered in mutual fellow ship.
/ assume that there is not democrat in
Maryland, who thinks for himself, and feels
for the common brotherhood, who does not
experience modification ut the spectacle OF Il
sovereign State mlsruled, necessarily, because
ruled by minority conditions.
There is unquestioned unity in Democratic
ranks on all essentials. Shall there be further
division, because OF nOn-essrutios:
] anticipate only one answer:-a patriotic
repeat. fellow Democrats, we are to-day
what we are because we have magnited con-
tlicting nOn-essentals, and minimized the es-
sential spirit that guards our Liberties.
This is Il blunder we must not duplicate.
Democrats never march prouder,-never
work worthier,-never feel freer. than when
they are bending their energies To the fullest
trultion of political prOblty, coupled with in
diYidual sacrifice.
Human foresight cannot always determine
just what il is best to do.
Mind is Gods special gift to man. Its posses
sion involves the right TO think.
l have my opinion as to the best way to
reach the goal we ain at You have the right
routes, but. while the Mecca is the same, the
choosing of paths should noG divide our pur-
pose.
We are all Democrats. Each of us under
stand and appreciates the fact that, however
much we may differ as to the means, we have II
common end.
sist. advise, encourage the enemy, either 10y
active aid, or passive acqulescenCe,-Or be To
your friends 1t very little kind.
The bass OF our taIIh Is a fixed principles.
In this we differ lrUm our foe as Heaven DIFF
terS from earth.
The ends we aim at make our cause "Our
cOuutry's, our Gods, aud truths"
We see the beacon. ana it becomes our
guide.
United we stand. Divided, we fall. Our
possible fall means the fall OF what Is above
and beyond personal ambition Wemay differ
about details and yet agree That our political
hope is in the party that, from the beginning,
has always forged ahead and never falted:-
has always struggled for, and never denied,
the peoples rights.
Through perverSity or blindness, infatua-
tor or indifference. we have yielded once, and
even twice, to the voice oi the syren.
We have been attempted 10 accept the Gre
clan gifts of our enemies.
We have opened the Trojan gates.
We have reaped the fruits OF the incursion.
Pillage and pillagers:-pelf and pelterers;-
booty won, and booty quarreled over, because
not won, is the record made by those who,
long deprived would no longer be denied.
Booty and spoils, such the watchword,
Spells and booty, Such the snibbUleth of
those who have prated from birth and knelt at
maturity, ut the shrine of, the idol "Reform,"
In abatement OF such EVIL, such false pre-
t.,,. !, NOR ffr W.
no man, or his ambltiuui-nO set OF men, or
possible sinister schemes.
We must not farter in our faith that the
work of the campalgn against promises SO
puere and fruitinn SO tetid, will he guided by
that intrepidity that rises above fear, and fort
flied by that pOsitiveness that leaves no shadow
OF question.
To that end duty is never doubtful. Practi-
cal conditions confront us. Practical effort
will meet them. I he American citizens buck
Ter is mis- ballot. In such sign we shall conquer.
But, to conquer, we must be alert. We must
not sleep on our arms. or underrnte the Toe.
The ballot will win, if you it, / adjurc
you to use il. Let no indifference blunt its
force or delay duh its edge.
Maryland law demands u fixed and unaltcr-
able condition of the voter He must be
registered or he cannot vote. have no doubt
OF the result, if all who agree in the essentials
of our canvass, take time to register their
right of suffrage, and afterwards tOeXercise il.
Register! Vote.
In such emergency the voters duty becomes
so clenr that language must fail to make it
ballot we victims of caprice that eNer
threatens tyranny. our rulers change IL we
vote. If we do not vote they will not change,
however dire the need. II we do not vote We
are virtually DISTINGUISHED. If we neglect to
secure the right to vote We dIsiranchiSe our
selves. We commit hari-kari. Politically, we
are disemboweed. We are as helpless as the
alien. We may complain. without right, be-
caust we have neglected our duty. We may
repinc without remedy; because we despised
opportunity.
Therefore, Registeri
Keep your minds eye on the prOner date.
Remember there are only two days of regis
tratiOn-Sept. 70 and Oct. 6-and one day for
revisiOn-Oct. II. Early apply for the record
OF your franchise. Take care that it is secured
and then On election day make it your prov
ince to execute the trcemaus will. as light
ming does the will of God
There is no question of the result.
1t would blur Maryland's history:-iusulth her
traditiOns;-enervate her prowess;-mortify
her prde,-to consider any possibility except
the success OF the party whose name, in Mary
land, has always stood for material progress,
and political liberty.
MGRRAI FAEDIHER,
Chairman of the Democratic State Central