The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1901-07-05
PRINCIPLES NOT MEN.

If there ever was time in the his
tory of this State, when the battle
cry should be principles not Men,"
that period has arrived. Weare now
upon a period when this Common
wealth may be regarded as moulding
national opinion. The result of the
election will be more critically
scanned this fall than at any time
even in Presidential campaigns. The
reason for this is apparent to even
the causual observer. AS is we'll
known, the Legislature at its special
session passed a ballot law having
for its object the disfranchisement Of
the illiterate voter, which means
nearly all the negroes. This action
was at first bitterly opposed by the
partisan press of the North, but after
the provisions of the law were care
fully examined it was found that,
barring this one clause, it was
thoroughly bipartisan in every re-
spect and effectually prohibited the
illegal barter of votes by abolishing
the ballot clerks who were the wit
nesses to prove that the nefarious
bargains were carried out. Many of
the leading newspapers then came
out boldly unfolding the law in prin-
ciple and urged upon their more
biased brethren, the conservative
course of awaiting to see what our
own people thought of the new legis-
lation.
The peculiar geographical position
of Maryland has more than once put
her in pivotal place. 1t will be
remembered that during the dark
days of the Civil War her action on
the question of secession was one of
the turning points in the defeat of
the Confederacy. Today she is in a
somewhat similar position upon the
question of an enlightened ballot.
Whichever way the election of 1901
goes future legislation on the ballot
laws of other States will be shaped.
Our next door neighbor this spring
seriously contemplated the enact
ment of similar legislation, having in
mind the publication reflections and
many of the best citizens of that
State regardless of politics earnestly
urged such action.
With the Importance of the present
situation staring us in the face, can
we not see how important it is to
eliminate the question of men as is
sues in this campaign? Will it do
when the eyes of the whole country
are upon us to allow any petty ques-
ton of personal likes or dislikes to
influence us in shaping up ticket to
be voted for on November 5th?
Would it not be far better to meet
The condition as we see it and rise to
the Importance of the occasion, bear
ing in mind that local conditions will
not be taken into consideration by
those who analyze the cold figures,
after the votes shall have been count
ed. The only chance today for the peo-
pie of Maryland, who regard the gov
eminent of this State in a broad pa
triotic spirit, is the rural districts.
On the counties are conferred the hopes
of those who believe in better cleo
tons. Affairs in Baltimore city are
now in such shape that no one can
foretell the outcome, and it is to such |
communities as Hartford that the
good citizens of that city will turn
with anxious eyes, looking for aid.
Baltimore Democrats are indeed in a
sad position. At their throat is a
man, who, by some unseen magnet
ism, holds the balance of power. If
he is not allowed to dictate all nomi-
nations his influence will be thrown
to the Republican party. If he does