The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1901-02-08
THE DUTY THE HOUR.

The Democratic party To-Day, In
Maryland, stands upon the thresh-
hold of almost its existence, and the
least misstep, by those who are at
the helm, might precipitate its desti-
nies into an oblivion that would re-
quire years of toll and even blood
shed to reclaim. The gravity of.the
situation has just begun to dawn
upon the minds of those who go to
make up the different elements of the
party and there is, at this time, a
harmony such as has not existed for
years. 1t is not now a question be-
tween the gold and silver element, in
dependent or regular, but with rare
exception, all of the different issues
have been merged together in one
common request to Governor Smith,
to convene the Legislature in extra
session to enact legislation that will,
at least temporarily, give the white
man supremacy in Maryland.
1t is not so much a question ofmere
partisan advantage, as our Republi-
can neighbors seem to think, as it is
principle ofrace supremacy. Thecon-
dition in Maryland now stands the
same as it did in North Carolina a
few years ago. Had thepeople at that
time possessed the foresight and by
taking time by the forelock, enacted
similar legislation as that now con-
templated by the Democrats, the dark
days through which this State has
just passed would have been happily
averted. No one seriously questions
the fact that there is strong immi-
grafton of the negro from other
points amongst us. Anyone who
takes the pains to examine into this,
can easily be convinced. Right here
in Hartford, strange colored people
are constantly locating, and of the
criminal cases tried in court the ma
tivity of the majority ofcolored GRIM
inals is not Maryland. but some other
southern State.
With these facts staring US in the
face, how can we escape the respon-
sibility, even by the mutual fore
bearance Of races" Can we afford
to sit idly by and see this colonization
go on daily without raising our
hands in protest until it is too late ?
Is it not better to meet the question
fairly and squarely and do now
peacefully what will, in the course
of time, require force or even blood
shed. So plain does the question
seem to us, that it is almost incredi-
BILE to think that prominent Republi-
can leaders are actually arraying
themselves to defeat the enevitable
by any means either fair or otherwise,
because, mayhap, it may result in
some temporary advantage to the
Democrats. 1t is not a time tor a
show of partisan spirit. Of course,
it seems almost unnecessary to state,
this argument is simply addressed to
the good men in the Republican party
and we still believe there are such;
to the spoil seeker we would say that
his time is simply wasted in reading
this article. This appeal is made to
those men no matter their politics,
who have enough patriotism to see
that the States drifting near danger
Gus shoals that threaten to wreck
both our domestic and political hap
piness.
1t now seems an assured fact that
the extra session of the Legislature
will be called, perhaps before the ink
is dry on this edition. When this is
done, our Chief Executive has done
his full duty. 1t now simply remains
for those who are chosen, not to
represent any particular party, but
the whole of the commonwealth, to
see that they conscientiously carry
out the oath required to be taken be-
fore becoming eligible to seat in the
General Assembly.