Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1899-07-08

JOHN w. PITTS.
STRONG ENDORSEMENT.
IT is not necessary for us To
extol the good qualities of
Worcesters' favorite son to
whom the Democrats of all
Maryland are turning TO lead
the party 10 victory this Fall,
but il is well for us to print the
very complimentary things that
are said and printed by the
people and the press of other
sections of our State about our
friends. Ii has been the pleas
ure of some irresponsible news
papers to endeavor to belittle
this truly able and honorable
citizen, and To classify him
with the men who are supported
by ofiice-holders and those who
desire 20 hold office. but no
such things can be said of the
men who more than once have
shown To their party and the
people that they are thoroughly
independent and fearless of the
party whip by whomsoever it
is welded. 1t has been pointed
out that such men would not
support Col. Smith, therefore
il would not be wise To nomi-
nate him. The truth is mighty,
however. and must prevail. and
that the people of Maryland
are thoroughly aroused over
the candidacy of Mr.. Smith. is
no better evidenced than was
proclaimed IN the news columns
of the Baltimore Sun last Sat
urday morning by the Hons
William Pinkney White and
James Bond. two of the most
distinguished citizens of Balti-
more City, representing the
very class of men who have
found fault with the conduct
of affairs by their party in the
past and who are called the
independent element of Balti-
more City" Mr.. Smith has
been conscientious sturdy
Democrat. and while the regu-
lars are all for him. at the same
time, the Independent element
of the party appreciate his
many good qualities and do not
intend they shall be misrepre-
scented.
Probably no man in the State
of Maryland is So well known
as FIX Governor and cx- United
States Senator William Pink
ney White, and in the San of
Saturday he said:
This State is. i'm my opinion.
soundly Democratic: and. if the
same conservative Judgment is
exercised by the Democratic
State Convention as was shown
in this city i'm 1898 and i'm Nav
last. there is no doubt i'm my
mind that Maryland will resume
its position as IA Democratic
State"
"Who is likely to be the Dem
ocratic candidate for Cover
nor.'
Now you ask me to guess.
or, perchance, from the exper-
fence of the past, to prophesy
Well, that is not pleasant. Yet.
from the names from time ia
time talked of. il would be hard
to say who might not be IA
strong candidate. Some of the
gentlemen, however all of
whom are friends of mine and
for whom | entertain high re-
spect-have apparently dropped
out and the scope is narrowed
greatly. IL seems, speaking as
of today, that John Walter
Smith will enter the convention
with votes enough to nominate
him on the first ballot. and it
may be that he shall be the
choice of the convention by
reclamation. The Eastern Shore
is solid for him, | believe. with
out the loss of single county,
and his splendid fight in the
Congressional district last wear
has won for him strong support
in the Western and Southern
counties. If was a bettor, |
would take him as a winner
"Will you support him if he
is the Democratic candidate"
"Will /? Why not; am a
natural-born Democrat. and the
principles of that party are as
dear to me as when my father.
in old Jackson days. taught me
what they were. | have never
raised "A hand against it except
when it got upon a big drunk,
and then Il was only cruel to
he kind ! think it is now 'as
sober as a judge and every
Democrat ought to turn in and
help it in its righteous ways.
But, apart from this, entertain
for John Walter Smith. per
sonally, "A warm friendship, and
4 LAIsaUa fh. nn..fxr n.1 l..