The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1901-06-15
A Word to Baltimore Democrats

A Word to Baltimore Democrats
Parties we're organized to carry out certain
principles. The Democratic party stands for
majority rule. equal and exact justice to all
men, and for the greatest good to the greatest
number. II was founded upon the Constitu
ton and must stand so long as that document
stands. For sixty years, with the exception
of two terms, it governed the country.
successfully prosecuted two wars, one with
Great Britain and one with Mexico. 1t gave
correct Interpretation of the Constitution,
!, through Jefferson, Madison, Monroe and Jack
son and proclaimed the doctrine of tariff for
revenue only.
It has lived for one hundred years and wit
messed the dissolution of all parties organized
+ in opposition, except the Republican, which
came into power through an unfortunate d.
vision in its rank in 1860.
The Republican party, as did its predeees-
sors, does not trust the people. Itbelieves IN
a strong central government, denies the
Rights of the States, overrides the Constitu-
ton, and fayors taxing the many for the bene-
fit Of the few
Its conduct during the war in this State,
aud nearly two years after, was vioatiye OF
every principle Of justice and right, scandal
lous to the extreme. denying TO citizens the
right to vote, imprisoning them without cause
and discharging them without trial.
It's rule Of the Southern States, through
carpet-bag governments, which robbed and
plundered the people, created huge debts and
raised taxation almost to the point of coniis-
cation, is still well remembered.
In Maryland it was dethroned in 1867, and
returned to power for one term in 1895,
through Democratic division, just as it won
the Presidency in 1860 through Democratic
division. From 1896 to 1900 its administra-
ton of affairs was so weak and vascillaiing;
its legislation so corrupt; its violation of law
so palpable; its greed for Office so revolving
coupled with a tax rate Of 81. 25 on the $4,000
in Baltimore, that the Democracy was welded
into one solid mass and il was hurled FROM
power.
1t has been planning to return to power
again IN this state, by importing Virginia and
North Carolina negroes and by padding the
census lists so as to give Republican counties
extra members of the House of Delegates. In
the latter part of their scheme they have been
thwarted and the Census Bureau have arrested
and convicted several of the scoundrels en-
gagged in the work and more are awaiting trial.
The State has madea new enumeration OF
inhabitants, upon which representation IN the
House of Delegates will be based and also a
distribution of the school fund, and some
changes in the election law have been made,
designed to prevent four or five hundred resi-
dents of Washington City from voting in this
State and the ballots will be so arranged that
illiterate negroes will have difficulty in voting
in the counties where that vote is heavy.
All this is preliminary to the ugly aspect of
affairs in the Democratic party in Baltimore.
There are factions 10 the party there with dag
gers drawn. 1t is not contention over prin-
cipIes. They are lost sight of
1t is simply personal contest between
individuals for supremacy in the party
organization And it seems to be rule or
ruin policy that is being played. Honest ri
valry for leadership is not Objectionable, but
when factions declare they will defeat the
ticket unless they win ia the primaries, it is
despicable factionalism, which is Disgusting
to Democrats who are such from principle,
not only in Baltimore, but throughout the
State. Why should Mayor Hayes have
Hayes factionY Why should Mr.. Raisin have
a Raisin faction2 Why should Mr.. Morrison
have Morrison faction?
If these men are Democrats from prn-
ciple they should be more interested in
good government in State aud City rather
than who should lead in the party organiza
ton. And we ask the Democrats of Balii-
more, are they willing to divide up on indi
viduals, aud let The Republicans VIM Have
they forgotten Republican rule from 1861 to
1867? Have they forgotten Republican rule
from 1896 to 1900? Have they forgotten the
cornerstone of Democracy. rpie of the ma
jority?
For the sake of The interests of individuals
will they insure the election of Sydney Mudd
to the Senate, the man whose name was so
frequently mentioned in the census frauds
trial? Will they elect Republican Comp.
troler and Republican Legislature, which
will in turn elect State Treasurer, and thus
turn over to the Republican party control of
the Board of Public Works, which controls
a large number of public Offices?
Before proceeding further in their faction
alism, we ask the Raisinites, Hayesites and
Morrisonites to pause and consider the effect
of their chickering's upon the party in general.
Let them consider whether it is better to get
together and expend their energies against
the common enemy, or divide up and turn
the state over to the tender mercies of the
cunning Mudd and the oily tongued McComas.
The man calling himself a Democrat who
falters in his duty to the party in its fight for
its life in this state next November might as
well join the ranks of the Republicans and
follow the lead of Mudd. McComas, Ching,
Guyther, Bowes, Abel and Graves.
Let them fall in line with Steve Mason, Hi
ram Watty and Charlie Wilson. Let them
keep step with the $4,000 negro voters, and
enjoy the odor of their company. There will
be no middle course. Those who are not for
the Democratic party, viii be counted against
it.