The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1897-10-16
G0RMAN'S LATEST MOVE.
HE OFFERS TO RELTNQUfSH the
STATE CHdTRNiNSHTP
IL Mr.. Edwin =. Abel, owner of the Balti-
timore sun, win Assume IL and
support the Ticket.


States Senator German to-day issued ah
open letter to Edwin f. Abel, publisher
OF the Baltimore sun, in which he offers
to relnquish the leadership OF the Demo-
cracy in Maryland, provided Mr. Abel
will accept il and support the Democratic
ticket in the coming State and legislative
campaign. He also intmates that he will
forego his ambition to succeed himself I'm
the United States Senate il fl can be
shown that such a step is necessary TO
Democratic success.
The letter. which is a very long one, re-
views the course OF the sun in its oppos-
ton 10 Mr.. German because Of his views
| upon civil service, ballot and tariff reform
measures. To all the charges made
against him upon this score. Mr.. German
pleads guilty, but quotes the Sun as hav-
| ing admitted tnat such questions were
largely matters Of opinion and asserts
that every man is free to think as he
pleases regarding them. He defends his
course i'm connection with oil these Gues-
lions and concludes with the following
proposition:
a PERSONAL QUESTION.
And now, Mr.. Abel, let us pass 10
| question touching which there can be no
| misunderstanding These statements and
counter-statements, arguments ana re-
! torts-ai this petty class OF protestation
aud observation-disclosures 10 very little
at the best. You have declared your un-
dying devotion TO the Democratic party,
and have said that my leadership. my per-
sonal ambitions. my selfish purposes and
these only, prevent you from restoring
your newspaper 10 the service Of the loyal
people who originally made ii rich and
powerful by their patronage, their conu-
dence and their support
you have given Maryland TO under
stand that. but for me and the '9osSish'
you are pleased 10 attribute 10 me, you
would bring back the Baltimore sun 'o
its old moorngs and devote 10 10 the
exposition OF Democratic principles ana
the confusion and overthrow OF kepuD"-
can rule in this State.
You have stated In ef0ct-cerlaihly
with the intent Of being SO understood
that YOU still love the Democratic party
and stil wish to see IL predominant lh
Maryland. and you thereby involve your
self in a pledge to cast off your kepupu-
can affiliations. repudiate your Kepupi-
can alliances and labor heart and sou
for the success of the Democratic party
as IL will remain after being purged OF
me.
OFFERS TO RESIGN.
III YOU be sincere i'm this the solution
OF the difficulty is simple enough. II my
aspirations. my leadership, my influence
constitute the only distractions 10 The
return 10 the people who made your news
paper and founded your fortunes and
gave reality 10 your position and your
power I stand ready 10 remove them
Office is less 10 me than you suppose
Political leadership is not so necessary
TO my happiness as you, IN your igno-
rance Of my character and motives are
pleased 10 say. Strange as it may seem
to YOU / am willing 10 surrender every
prospect of personal promotion IT by so
doing / can reunite the Democratic party
and restore 10 its rank all their pristine
strength and harmony. In the dissen-
sions and anlmosity that now exist and
effect the humilatng spectacle pictured
by yourself and men of your way ot
thinking-the spectacle Of the Democratic
party betrayed into the hands Of the
enemy by those whom the Democrats
have in the past exalted and enriched.
do not undertake 10 say how much
you or any other Aian may love the DEM
Ocratic party, but / know now mucn /
love ~. and I know that nave no per
sOnai ambitions I will not sacrifice for IT'S
honor and welfare. / know, too. that l
have no affiliations no engagements, no
plans Of any kind that could by any pos
sibility cmbarrass me I'm making the pro-
posed arrangement.
you may understand this as an over
ture of surrender on my part-as am adj
mission that the Democratic organization
cannot hope for further life without your
aid and countenance. / am prepared for
that.
REPUBLICAN RULE.
81 have been misunderstood by you so
long and so unreasOnably that a little
more or less will count for nothing. As
matter Of fact. ] am satisfied that the
people of Maryland have become disgust
ed with the two years Of Republican NAL
administration, which you did so much 20
make possible. and that they are 300 the
humOr 20 make an end Of the experiment.
II is not only what has been done. 10 is
also the extravaganza and the corruption
which they see awaiting them in the event
OF perpetL alton Of Republican rule.
They feel that very substantial interest
I'm the State IS ieOpardzed and they are
determined. with or without your aid, 20
restore 10 power the Democratic party
which has never hitherto betrayed them
and in whose hands they will fee. their
honor and their interests 10 be secure As
20 this 1 have not the shadow OF q doubt.
But they want also restoration Of the
former harmony Of the party They
want 10 see the old lines restored and the
old operations rehablitated and they owe
them too much as 10 feel not only willing
but anxious 20 cOnsummate any wish OF
theirs, no matter AT what cost 10 mo.
Are you ready and willing and free
10 meet me on this ground I'm good faith
I'm all loyalty without provisOs or reserva-
lions. on the honor Of q gentleman Are
you az liberty 10 take charge pcrsOnally2
Personally and through your agents Of
d." Democratic campaign for the mayor
atty OF Baltimore. FOR the Legislature.
and for the succession to that place I'M
the Senate concerning which i have but
one desire. that OF seeing ii filled by a
Democrat whose loyalty 10 the party IS
unQuestloncd and proved. and who will
advocate and uphold the principles 10
which YOU profess unseliish and sincere
devotion?
III YOU are. I am ready TO meet you
more than half way
Let me hear from YOU. and let our
fellOw-citiZens judge between ms by the
measure of our personal good faith and
party loyalty therein.
(SigncO "A H. GORATAN
October 10 1897"
Mr.. Abel tonight declined 10 say what
course he would pursue I'm the matter or
to express any opinion concerning the
letter.