The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1898-10-07
An Opposition Party.

MI OPPOoItIOh
The Democratic party through all the
years from 1865 to 1896 had played the
role of opposition party to the Republi-
cans. The party professed through their
press and speakers to occupy high ground
and talked grandiloquently of Jefferson
aud Jackson democracy, and formulated
high sounding, patriotic platforms, filled
with shadowy principles but nothing
definite or tangible for the public to lay
hold on.
AT the National convention of 1896
breakup Of The party was threatened, and
stampede of the rank and file of the
party South and West to the Peoples
party was imminent, aud only prevented
by the determined movement that cast
the old party leaders aside and adopted
platform at Chicago which expressed and
meant more than the empty platitudes
that had been formulated as the principles
of the party for the third of a century.
That national declaration is the funda-
mental law of the party at present, and
all why deny or strive to shirk it, as the
party in Maryland is attempting to do,
will be either forced out and into the
Republican party or they must come into
line with the national organization under
the Chicago platform.
| Dodging behind non -committal plati-
tudec nc tho conversational copvartiorc -,
this State have done will not answer.
Such policy is sure to throw the Mary
land machine Democrats out of line with
the national party and cause its delegates
to be turned out of the next national con-
vention, delegates elected by the party
holding allegiance to and endorsing the
Chicago platform being admitted as the
bonafde representatives of the national
party from Maryland.
Such a delegation to the next national
Democratic convention as was sent from
this State to the Chicago convention i'll
1896 would be turned out without even a
contest. Not delegate chosen by con-
ventions sailing under such colors as are
displayed by the Maryland congressional
conventions this year, or that have been
put out as State platforms for years past,
would be tolerated at national conven-
ton of the party in 1900. The Demo-
cratic party Of the Cleveland regime and
prior to that inglorious administration,
had better consider where they are "at,"
and get out of the German machine party.
There will be no vacancy in the U. S.
Senate from this State till 1903 unless
death or resignation should make one,
back into that body may as we'll be con-
sidered closed, and his on-the-fence
policy abandoned. 1t has brought defeat
TO the party and is certain to continue 10
bring disaster in the future if adhered TO.
German was the architect of his own ruin.
This effort to toll the "gold" Democrats
back has been losing game this fall.
Their place is in the Republican party.
An honest, patriotic alignment under the
Chicago platform by every congressional
convention would have, almost to GER
tainty, carried every district and given
the State solid delegation in Congress
in line and touch with the national organ
ization. AS matters now stand almost
total defeat stares the party in the face in
this State.
But if even some of the candidates are
successful what use will be delegation OF
goldbug Democrats in Congress except
to aid the Republicans in passing Wall
street bank bills?
The rejection of Talbot and permitting
him to name his successor was cowardly
act on the part of the delegates of the
second congressional district, and will
not add to if it does not decrease the vote
of the party. No doubt the man whom
Talbot named is candidate of the same
kidney, but will be of less experience and
influence in Congress-if he gets there.
There is nothing in the promise or in
prospect held out by any of the Demo
cratic conventions to enthuse and rally
the independent vote, and that vote will
decide the elections in this State.