The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1899-11-03
The DEMOCRATIC MEETING.

The meeting of the Democrats of Hartford
county, which was held in the Court House
on Tuesday, was very greatly interfered with
by the heavy storm which prevailed during
| the day, and which prevented the attendance
of the hosts of voters who live outside of Bel
Air. AS 1t was, however, the spacious room
| was well filled vi it'll the adharenIs of Democra-
cy. 1t was truly a representative meeting,
nearly every district in the county being
| represented.
The meeting was called to order at $50
O'Clock by Hon. Thomas Il. Robinson, of the
State Central Committee who nominated
Hon. Herman Stump as president and Mr..
Charles A. Wilson, secretary. Upon taking
the chair Mr.. Stump made one Of his Old time,
characteristic speeches. After expressing
his thanks for the honor conferred upon him,
he said In part: "There are no national is
sues in this campaign, they are merely and
solely those of the State and county, and il
would be highly improper for any effort to be
made to drag national questions in to warp
our judgment III the selection OF executive
officers for this grand old commonwealth.
In order to properly understand the position
of the Republican party it is necessary to re-
vert to the time when, as many of US remem-
Der, the National Government invaded our
State aud deprived many OF the Democrats Of \
their franchise. Shortly after our rights were
restored by the Constitution of 1867, we
found ourselves hampered BY negro votes
and We were forced to meet a new condition
hau
us the fact that Maryland is a white mans
state and on that principle, Hartford county
for more than thirty-fye years has been Demo
cratic to the hearts core" lie drew parallel
of the condition of the colored race previous
to the civil war, when they TSTe happy, con-
tented and joyous, going to and from their
work with songs, when their masters were
prosperous and life ran smoothly in all its
grooves. 1t wSs an after thought, an after
issue of the war, to free the negro, just as
expansion was an after thought Of the
Spanish war. Look at the difference. The
proclamation of freedom came. His enfran-
chisement followed, and then ia order to use
him politically, it was found necessary TO in
flame bis passions. Look at our late police
troubles, and their cause. l am free to de-
clare that it was the debauching of the negro
for political purposes, which has caused all
Of the trouble. Here the negro has been get |
ting worse, and We find 1t necessary to protect
our families. Only day or two ago, within
twenty miles of this Court House most
uisbolical outrage has been perpetrated.
A notice came TO me lately which bears
upon its face, its palpable faisshood. 1t
claims that the acknowledgements of So, COO col
ored men will be the result OF Democratic
victory. II Lloyd Lowndes is guilty OF
fathering this assertion he has done thing l
would never believe him capable Of doing.
The position of the two races is simply this:
if they band together, tho white aud eolored
Republicans, it may result, if they win-in
placing us in the position OF the people OF
North Carolina.
By dissensions among ourselves four years
years ago, we lost control of the State. At the
election last spring, Baltimore city said-and
that with no uncertain voice-that she Was
tired of Republican rule. In November, your
votes will redeem your State, by placing Col.
john Walter Smith in the Gubernatorial chair.
Be not fearful of Hartford county. Our party
is united here and tue only question is as to
the amount of the majority. OF one thing /
AM sure. No white man who has any respect
for himself, will ever vote the Republican
ticket again"
DIR. j. w. Herring.
Democratic candidate for state Comptroller.
was then introduced, and received with ap-
pause. He s. iu:-"When ! awoke this morn
ing in Annapolis and heard the wind blowing
and the storm raging, l thought that there was,
an end to the meeting at Bel Air; but when
remembered the devotion of the men of Har-
ford to Democratic doctrines, and Democratic
urinciples, made up my mind to attend, if
only to see how things were going. am glad
to bring you cheering news from every part
of the state. have never seen the party more
united and more determined than at the pres
emf time.
The great question before us is, whether
Lloyd Lowndes, as the representative of Re-
pubIicanism, or John Water Smith, as the ex
ponent of and standard bearer of Democracy,
shall be chosen as chief executiS &c of the State
of Maryland.
We believe that the highest interests of the
State of Mary land demand the restoration OF
Democratic rule, the party which for many
years had the control, and the party to which
the Slate rightfully belongs. And L am glad
to tell you, that having traversed the greater
part of the State, that from the mountain
peaks of Aiegany and Garrett to where the
waves OF the Atlantic wash the shores OF Wor-
che ter, we have thoroughly aroused, de-
termined and united party,
Look for a moment ut the unique feature of
tho convention which made the state nomina-
tions They were made by reclamation. The
sentiments of the people cbrystalized and con-
conferred, and the Convention of August, un-
| trammelled by bossism named ticket which
merited and met the approval of the party OF
| the people. The doctrine of Democracy Is
that the individual votes of the people are the
voices of sovereigus, 1t was Woisey who said:
| "Let all the ends thou aimest at he
| Thy country's, thy Gods and truths,
| Then if thou fallest, o Cromwell!
Thou fallest blessed martyr.
| If you keep public servants, under the
scrutiniz.ng eye of the public, public safety is
| sssured. State issues alone are concerned. and
| we don't propose to be side-tracked by Ne
Il braska Senators, or Rough Riders, or other
importations.
| Dr. HerIug reviewed the history of the for
nation of the Republic, giving the different
views of Alexander Hamilt on, the advocate OF
i
Jefferson (the difference between centralized
and popular government) The people con-
stitute the government, and the Democratic
party is prominently the party of the people
The great Democratic party stands today, as
! it always has done, as a breakwater. a safety
guard between the rights of the people and
the encroachments of the Federal Govern
ment.
1 tbn no rty in mower il
Maryland, a very large part ofthe Democratic
party was DISTINGUISHED. The Democrats pait
the taxes and the Republicans did the voting
Then the people arose in their might anc
framed the Constitution of 1867, document
so broad in its provisions that avery man was
| protected in his rights There was wide dit
ference when they came into power in 1895
They were not shielded by cpauiets ant
muskets as champions of reform. "All thu
| crooked should be made straight, and thu
rough places plain" Now, what have the!
done? They claim to having passed certain
laws. We'll, ought to know something abou
that for got into official life at the time the.
got into power"
The speaker gave short history of the re
markable winter campaign in Carroll count
which resulted in keeping the Senate Demo
, cratic, and gave review of the session o
; 1896, when the Assessment Bill, the Electio
Bill and the Free School Book Bill were passed
/ with Republican House and Democrat
: Senate, neither party can make q superio
:. claim to law, for it must pass both House
!. before it becomes law. The election law c
which they boast OF so freely, was based upo
. the Australian ballot law, which was passed
:, 1890 by a Democratic Legislature and signe
7 | by q Democratic Governor. John Waite
:. smith was the author and persistent advocai
:, of the School Book Bill. There was not sing
7 act of Legislation passed by the Republica
= Government of Maryland, for which they ca
. claim any merit NOT n single thing done b