The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1897-10-23

ludl MlltIl IUG measure came before mat DOQV
there was majority againstit There can be
no one acquainted wit the events of that
memorable time, inside or outside the Senate.
who does not know that the committee, of
which | was member, is to be credited with
having overcome that majority and made the
passage of the bill possible. 1t is all of rec
ord, open as the day, subject to no conceivable
misconception, save by those who will not see
the facts. | shall waste no time in the discus
sion of an axiom. As we'll point out the
beauties of a landscape to the blind or make
sweet music for the deaf. The man who says
that did notin good faith aid in the repeal
the genuine repeal-of the purchasing clause
OF the Sherman act says so in defiance of fact
and reason, and because he deliberately re-
fused to speak the truth.
There is still another matter: You accuse
me of having entered into an intrigue in 1892
to defeat the denomination of Mr.. Cleveland.
If by that you mean TO say that | opposed the
denomination | cheerfully admit the Justice of
the accusation. ltwas my privilege as a Dem
ocrat to entertain a preference as to who
should be the leader of the party. 1t was my
Judgment as a man that Mr.. Cleveland's
leadership would not be advantageous. But
there was no intrigue, so far as | am concern
ed. My opposition was honestly entertained
and frankly ayowed You must be aware,
however, though you have carefully refrained
from giving me credit for the facts, that after
Mr.. Cleveland was nominated-and on plat
form of which l did not wholly approve-I
gave to the Democratic candidate my hearty
and active support. | repaired to New York
and devoted my entire time and effort to the
triumph of the ticket. That was my duty as
a party man. discharged the same duty in
1896. have no apologies to offer or regrets
70, gl,,la-9
belief that the interests of the people and the
country are best subserved by the ascendency
of the Democratic party in national affairs.
And now, Mr.. Abel, let us pass to a ques-
ton touching which there can be no misun-
derstanding. These statements and counter
statements, arguments, and retorts-all this
petty clash ofprotestation and Impeachment
amount to very little at the best. You have
declared your undying devotion to the De
mocratic Party, and have said that my lead
ership, my personal ambitions, my selfish
purposes, and these only, prevent you from
restoring your newspaper to the service of
the loyal people who originally made it rich
and power by their patronage, their conf
dence, and their support. You have given
Maryland to understand that, but for me and
the 'bossism" you are pleased to attribute to
me, you would bring back the Baltimore Sun
to its old moorings, and devote it to the ex
position of Democratic principles and the
confusion and overthrow of Republican rule
in this State. You have stated in effect-cer
tainly with the intent of being so understood
that you still love the Democratic Party, and
still wish to see it, predominant in Maryland,
and you thereby involve yourself in pledge
to cast off your Republican affiliations, repu-
diate your Republican alliances, and labor
heart and soul for the success of the Demo
cratic Party as it will remain after being
purged ofme. If you be sincere in this the
solution of the difficulty is simple enough. If
my aspirations, my leadership, my influence
constitute the only obstacle to your return TO
the people who made your newspaper and
founded your fortunes and gave reality to your
position and your power, | stand ready TO re-
move them. Office is less TO me than you
suppose. Political leadership is not so neces-
sary TO my happiness as you, in your ignor-
ance ofthe character and motives, are pleased
to say. Strange as it may seem to you, | am
willing to surrender every prospect personal
promotion if by so doing | can reunite the
Democratic Party, restore to its ranks all their
pristine strength and harmony, allay the dis
sensions and animosities that now exist, and
effaee the humiiating spectacle presented by
yourself and men OF your way of thinking
the spectacle of the Democratic Party be-
trayed into the hands of the enemy by those
whom Democrats have in the past exalted and
enriched. | do not undertake to say how
much you or any other man may love the
Democratic Party, but | know how much
love, and | know that have no personal am
bitions | will not sacrifice for its honor and
welfare. | know, too, that | have no aiiilia
tions, no engagements. no plans of any kind
that could by any possibility embarrass me in
making the proposed arrangement
You may understand this as an overture of
surrender on my part-as an admission that
the Democratic organization cannot hope for
further life without your aid and countenance.
| am prepared for that | have been misun
derstood by you so long and so unreasonably
that a little more or less will count for moth
| ing. As matter of fact, am satisfied that
the people of Maryland have become disgusted
with the two years of Republican maladmin
istration, which you did so much to make
| possible, and that they are in the humor to
make an end of the experiment 1t is not
| only what has been done; it is also the eX.
travagance and the corruption which they see
awaiting them in the event ofa perpetuation
of Republican rule. They feel that every
substantial interest in the State is ieopardized,
and they are determined, with or without your
aid. to restore to power the Democratic Party,
Wnlcn mas never nlLneflO DelTayeu tneuli anu
in whose hands they will feel their honor and
their interests TO be secure. As to this,
have not the shadow, of doubt. But they
want, also, restoration of the former har
mony of the party. They want to see the old
lines restored and the old associations rehabil-
itated. And | owe them so much as to feel
not only willing, but anxious, to cOnsummate
any wish of theirs, no matter at what cost to
me.
Are you ready and willing and free to meet
me on this ground in good faith, in all loyal
ty, without provisos or reservations, on the
honor of gentleman? Are you at liberty to
take charge personally, and through your
agents, Of the Democratic campaign for the
| Mayoralty of Baltimore, for the Legislature,
and for the succession to that place in the
Senate concerning which have but one de
sire-that of seeing it filled by a Democrat,
whose loyalty to the party is unquestioned and
proved, and who will advocate and uphold the
principles to which you profess unselfish and
| sincere devotion? If you are / am ready to
meet your more than half way. Let me hear
| from you, and let our fellow citizens judge
! between us by the measure of our personal
good faith and party loyalty herein.
A. P. GORMAN.
October 18th, 1897.