The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1899-02-11
To the Democrats of Carroll.

Carroll has been noted heretofore for the
absence of political controversy among the
people except for short periods each year.
In some counties, in fact in the most OF them,
politics and candidates are discussed the year
through. The smoke of one battle scarcely
clears away before another is on, and much
time is spent on candidates and by candidates
that could be more proftably employed.
The people Of Carroll have always attended
to public affairs and eviuced not only an IN
terest in candidates but in electing them. But
they have not neglected business or become
excited about either until the time for action
arrived They have engaged in private and
public enterprise, both to their own and the
county's welfare, about nine or ten months IN
a year. The early candidates found dull ears
to their appeals for support, and not many
have appeared. The people have been too
much engaged in business matters to listen to
aspirants for Office much before August, and
prior to that time very few candidates have
been active.
This year affairs may be different. In both
parties number of candidates have an
nounced their aspirations and the rivalry Is
little warm for at least seven months IN adj
vance of nominations.
How our Republican friends manage affairs
does not much concern us, but we would sug-
0est to Democratic candidates that modera-
lion be used. Do not sow seeds OF dlscord.
Do not seek to discredt each other. Stand
upon your own merits, not upon the alleged
shortcomings of others. Be brotherly one to
the other, remembering that you are one
family in principle. There is no need for
acrimony; no need for personalism; no need
for Jealous effort.
There should be no primary contests between
candidates. 1t would be manifestly wrong
where there are several candidates IN DIS
triet for any two candidates to run rival tickets
for delegates, thus shutting outall others.
Every person has right to aspire to pub
lie Office. and every Democrat who does 50 Is
entitled to have his name presented to the
nominating convention. Some persons shrink
from urinary contests and combinations aud
some of this very class would make strong
candidates and very capable officials The
people, or the delegate, should not be es-
stopped from choosing from this class be-
cause they do not push themselves to the trout
Let the Democratic county convention this
vsar. as It was 1885, be composed OF m
pledged delegates. Let there be selected IN
each district five discreet delegates, unbound
by promises and instructed only to place
before the convention the names o! every
asnirapt for nomination in their respee-
tive districts. No candidate who has con
tideuce in his strength and popularity with
the people should object to such an arrange
msnt. and all candidates should be willing 10
acouiesee in and heartily support the work oil
the convention-
Where there are more than one candidate
for a position there will be disappointment
but that disappointment will be easily oorhe
&c candidates do not become too much inter
ested in getting public Office and permit them
selves to believe they sink or swim as they
lose or win. Besides, no man ought TO ny
TO force himself upon the party. Nor need
any man fear of being kept Oft the ticket by
manipulatioss of politicians. Some men are
more influential than others, bat we are not
aware of any ring or combination bent upon
selfish purposes. None such should be i"les-
ated. and none such can be successful u ms
creet and independent delegates are chosen
from the various districts. There Aeei be no
fear as to the work of convention so com
posed. II is the pledged delegation that Is
likely TO be unsatisfactory; the Delegations tha'
is for one man first, last and all the time and
believes il has done It's whole aud a noble duty
II It succeeds in getting its candidate nom'-
mated. 1t is the pledged delegation that IS
willing to eombine-not the unpledged-and
a combination of seven candidates with seven
DELEGATIONS can control convention. In
combining. too, those seeking to form y do
not always consider the fitness for public po-
si,ion of those who have delegations. With
them success is first; fitness may be q serious
matter with the voters afterward.
The Democrats will have 20 trouble in
scoring substantial victory in Carroll next
November, il the opportunity IS nos destroyed
by strong rivalry Of candidates personalities
and district contests. So far nothing has
been done to initiate against success For the
sake Of the party, for the good Of the county,
let not rivalry degenerate into aerimoAy.
All candidates, present and prospective, and
all Democrats. should consider well the ad
vice given in this article. 1t mast meet with
general approval bv all who place party above
individuals.
The Republican primaries in Baltimore viii