The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-08-05
TILE M1RYLAND BOURBONs.
A Democratic state Convention Wholly In
the Control of Political Hermit Crabs.

ney- General Is an eX-CongresSman ana the
candidate nominated for state Comptroller Is
physician and also a bank cashier in the little
town OF Westminster on the Western Mary
land Railway. a place OF 5000 inhabitants. He
was formerly n State Senator at Annapolis.
Structurally the ticket nominated Is weak
The nominee for Governor Is gold DEM
ocrat who had free silver Democratic on
ponent in the field against him last ycW
The nominee for Attorney-General Is Glove
land Democrat. and the nominee for Comp
troer Is generally regarded az gold man. too
All three nominees come from the eastern Sec
tion Of the state. the candidate for Governor
from the only Maryland county on the Atlantic
coast. the nominee for Attorney General from
this city and the nominee for Comptroller from
town less than one hours ride from Baltt-
more. The western section Of the state. In
which usually close elections in Maryland are
decided and in which the Republicans are
strongest. Is unrepresented. and the southern
pennsuar counties. Charles, st Marv's. Prince
Georges and Calvert. are unrepresented. too.
The ticket was nominated by the rcactionary
forces in control OF the convention. n conven-
ton very largely made up of old men whose
importance has vsiby increased in Democratic
politics In Maryland since the Federal and
State and most Of the local offices passed into
the hands OF the Republicans. This was the
old mems opportunity. and they have utilized
II in the ticket nominated and In the extraor-
binary mossback platform adopted.
The substantial difference between the leg
endury Rip Van Wrinkle OF the Catskills and
the political Rip Van Wrinkles Of Maryland. in
session at Baltimore on Wednesday. is that
whereas the Catskill Rip slumbcred for twenty
years the Maryland Rips have been asleep for
thirty. Their platform declarations would have
been OF some contemporary interest In 1869.
Al. Nh.A
issues and conditions OF 1899: for instance.
their apprehension for the freedom OF the
press necessarily curtailed. for military rea-
sons, during the civil war OF thirty eight years
ago. and notably SO in Maryland n border
State within the field OF conflict. 1t Is n fact.
so well known as to invite general comment.
that in no State OF the country during the
past eighteen months have criticisms OF
and assaults upon the conduct Of naval
and military operations Of American arms
been moro reckless. violent and Incorporate
than in Baltimore newspapers: but there has
not been the faintest approach to interference
or admontion by those whose efficiency. verac-
ity. good faith and patriotic devotion have been
assailed. The Maryland Democrats. with their
minds firmly fixed on 1869. IRE outspoken in
glorious year for Americans everywhere and
in everything. lest the freedom OF the press
may be invaded.
They are equally troubled concerning the
fearsOmo menace Of a standing army. Like their
predecessors OF thirty years ago. they aro APP
prehensive-thouGh without any vestigc Of
reason. assigned or imaginable-that Mary
land will be overrun with troops. the inhab
itants of the State terrorized. the power OF the
courts overthrown and the populace subju-
gated. but by some unaccountabe inadvertence
they do not quote the now historical phrase
used by Frank ?. Blair. Jr.. Missouri man Of
Maryland descent. unconstitutional. revolu-
tionary and void" in describing the menace OF
military thraldom which Blair In his letter OF
acceptance OF Vice Presidential nomination.
called the peace OF despotism and death"
Another subject which has engaged the at
tention and justified. with all the vigor OF
thirty years ago. the rebuke OF the old line
Maryland Democrats Is that detestable limo
walton, equal suffrage irrespective Of the color
lin" and as incorporated into the Constitution
Maryland voting "No"-in 1859 To this
Fifteenth Amendment tho mossbacks are very
much opposed. their chief objection to it being
that in Maryland the negro electors perversely
persist in voting the Republican ticket. not
outstanding all arguments and eXpostula-
tons OF the white Democrats to the contrary.
To this enormitythe Democrats Of most North
ern States have grown to be reconciled. while
further South than Maryland legal meth
OuS have been alOptcd to restrict thp
suffrage by educational amendment. There is
no allusion in the MARYLAND platform to the
bred Scott decision. the tenure-of-ofllce act.
the Seminole war, the right Of search for fugi-
tive or impressed sailors. the pony express
across the plains, the cession of Creek lands.
DORIS rebellion. the nefarious custom OF Mis-
sissippi steamboat CAPTAINS who were accus-
toned to race their boats. or the rules adopted
in New York for the indenture Of apprentices.
As to these subjects, oil interesting in their
time Though not all at the same time, the
Maryland Democrats are silent They fear to
sneak of 1898 or Of any events relating TO IL.
being wholly occupied with questions dead a
generation ago.
In the thirty years Intervening MARYLAND has
gained enormously In population, in material
wealth, the conveniences Of life. the security OF
laws, the facilities OF TRANSPORTATION. and the
enlarged opportunities for livelihood Balti
moro is one OF the chief ports of the country.
ranking second to New York in exports and
advancing rapidly in mercantile inheritance
II the mossback illusions to the political