Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1899-08-14
MONDAY EVENING. AUG. IA. 1899

dissatisfaction with which the platform
and ticket are degraded by the demo-
cratic masses in other States. By their
studied avoidance of the great issues
before the country, the managers ofthis
convention have regarded the election
to a mere vulgar contest for spoils.
They repeat the cowardly tactics OF
confession and avoidance which brought
defeat and discredit to the democracy
OF MARYLAND in the election of 1896
and 81. 1t is not necessary to 60 over
the shameful story of those years. The
democratic masses of Maryland are not
responsible for it,save to the extent that
they suffered set of tricky and un-
principled wire-pullers to put them in a
false position. The result was the loss
OF the State--governor, legislature and
everything, including the retirement to
private life of two faithful and reliable
Senators, Messrs. German and Gibson
The platform of this convention means
that either the Maryland democrats
are not in sympathy with the demo-
cracy of the Union, or that, being IN
sympathy with them, they lack the
courage to say so. The embarrassment
resulting from this action will be felt
chiefly in Maryland. When the canvass
is we'll begun and battle joined it will be
easy for the republican speakers to ask
anv democratic orator-"Where does
your party stand on the Chicago plat
form ?" Are you for free silver or against
ii? Are you in favor of government by
injunction, or are you opposed to it? Are
you for an income tax, or opposed to ii?
Are you for the Philippine war and CO.
lonial system of annexation, or are you
against the whole business? DO you
include street railroad franchises in
your denunciation OF the trusts, or not?
What do you mean? Why do you
dodge these important questions that
every one is talking about? Why was
your convention silent about Bryan,
whom 10000 Maryland democrats sup
ported for President in 1896? Ninety
hundredths OF the democrats in the
Union are for him. Are you against
him, and if SO, why? If the democratic
speakers think these questions will not
be put to them by their opponents
they will find themselves mistaken.
Suppose Mr.. German should magnani
mously agree to 60 on the stump TO
support platform that by its silence
and evasion condemns his own record,
how could ne meet such questions save
by the candid reply that the conven-
ton lacked the courage of its convic-
tions and ignored the history of q great
party. And this brings US to the
ticket. Why was Mr.. Isador Rayner
put OF the ticket for Attorney General?
Is it to applaud the course be pursued
in boiling the national democratic
ticket in 1896; bis cringing servility to
Cleveland and his gang; his fierce de-
nunciations of the democratic party or
the stump in 1896, and his presence in
the Indianapolis convention of boilers
and renegades that nominated Palmer
and Buckner' and thus helped to
iofict Mr.. Mckinley, Alger and
the beef contracts on the couD.
try? Where has Mr.. Rayner stood
since 1895, but with the gang OF
boilers and recreants who have aided
to impose republican administration
on the State of Maryland and install the
negro influence and Decentralization
which, as this platform declares, has led
to ''an alarming increase in crime ami
menaces the peace and good order OF
the State ?" Did not Mr.. Rayner by
his boiling performances help to bring
about this very state of things? Is tn,
hair of the dog good for the bite ? The
nomination of Mr.. Rayner means an en-
dorsement of his course and antece-
dents. If boiling is to be honored i'll
mis- person-honored conspicuously,
then why may not he repeat his boiling
performances and vote whenever ne
plesses against the other gentlemen Oh
the ticket who did not bolt in 1896?
Is he not at full liberty to bolt again
when Mr.. Bryap shall be nominated in
1900, Gas he will be-, aud may he not
once mora demand high honor from
the democratic party of Maryland SIS
the reward OF his treachery to Bryan?
Is not Mr.. Rayner's nomination aD
implied condemnation of each one CT
the los, 900 faithful democrats who, in
1896 did not bolt, as Rsyner did, but
Loyalty supported the regular demo
cratic ticket? But if there be any doubt
on this point, it is still certain that Mr..
Rayner's nomination is equivalent to a
censure of the ablest democrat Mary.
land has sent to the U. S. Senate in If
ty years or more, as Arthur P. German
is not the mere creature of tricksters,
but man of force and eloquence who
has rendered signal service to
the party in Maryland. In 1896,
q,oJ;bo Mr. Rovpar ho DroD,Dtlu rsva