Maryland independent. [volume] (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1874-current, 1899-08-18

The Democratic Platform.
While theic ) cessation Of lolitical
excitement in the State It III be we'll
for the voters thereof to Il Ike a calm
look a the Democratic platform pro
mulguted BY the late Democratic State
Convention. Analyze it and zee
wherein lie the good things promissd
by the boastful Democracy Of our State
We have had good State government
for the past four years-as well managed
and as clean, as y other in this union
Of States, hence We imagine the peopl
in political matters, as generally in bust
ness transactions, are content to let well
enough alone, and will not demand End
struggle for a change, unless tley can
see in the success of party out of
power brighter prospects of better
government THAI they are already en-
jcying. The Democratic party is plead
ing for renewed popular confidence.
therefore to its platform we must look
for the purpose of discerning if there
need be a change in the political manage
ment Of our State government.
Tbs instrument is a sn ootnly writ, en-
glossy affair; verbose and somewhat at
tractiye in dietion, but in dealing with
stern realities it is hopeless monde
script There is not a plain, frank.
positive avowal on any important sub
jet in the whole paper. Apart from
an economic and honestly manag d
State government there are but few inn
portant issues about which our people
ale concerned at this time On th, Sc
questions the platform is a Disappointing
void.
The paper starts out with mouihfal
of usual palaver as to tbs precarious
eo.dition Of"life, liberty AID property"
under continued Republican ascendeu-
cy," hut without word wherein the
danger lies, when the fact is, the late
Democratic management e. - - =,
belng 50 rife with fraud and corruption
become stencil in the nostrels 81
every decent man to such an extent that
the very best men in the party repu-
dated its leaders and spuFned with con
tempt as idle and false its e. cry pre-
tsnse to improvement 1t is the same
old management again at the helm, with
its usual gusto of pr misses in the WY
of better State government.
Ithas something to say on the subject Of
free speech and the liberty fthe pres.
We DO not conceive that there is any
occasios for such a declaration. There
mas been no attempt in this State. Of
which we are aware, to stifile the one
or muffle the other If there be occasion
for it, it grows out of libel suit brought
not long since against leading indie
pendent journal of the State for Inn
pooning one Of the leading Democratic
tricksters of the State who haa an an
seen hand in drafting the paper.
The question of large standing arm ,
is not before the people. The last and
a Republican Congress settled that issue
to their entire satisfaction.
Non-partizan schools is not an issue and
csnnot be 50 made. as the condnct Of the
Republican party in furnishing free books
and in other evidences of liberality is
proven its fidelity to the principle Of
free education for ell. The love of the
Democratic party for the system should
have been shown effectively when tie
party was a power. 1t was tried and
found wanting
Then the psalm-singing hymn book
of the Democracy ends with an exposiu
lation on the horrors of the day grow
ing out Of the negro voting toe Re-
publican ticket. If the negro is de-
generating in this State and politics ha
anything to do with it, the Democra i
party is responsible for the misfort me-
The election franchise to that class was
held by them as sacred and valuable
right, until sedueed by democrats to
believe that the right to vote as only
SO much merchandise to be put upon The
market to the highest bidder. It is
charged in the platform that q belief
exists among them that fealty to the
Republican party will save the criminal
class from punishment. hence the in
crease Of crime by the eolored peope.
Where lies the foundation for such an
aseertionl Has the Republican party
of the State ever in any manner beld out
a shielding hand to criminals, black or
Whiiel The charge is absolutely aid
unqualiGedly false. The action Of the