Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1901-03-22
THE NEW ELECTION LAW.

franchise has passed the extra session OF the
Legislature and lie now q law OF the State
Under the operations OF this law our cleo.
tons are TO be conducted until otherwise
changed.
From q deep and solemn conviction that
the advisability Of the adoption Of measure
Of such grave importance should rest with
our delegation at Annapolis, the SENTINEL
has avoided giving any editorial expression.
They are gentlemen of unblemished integ.
rity, intelligence and sound judgment, just
ly possessing the confidence and respect OF
the community. Ambition and the love OF
Office have not exerted their evil influence
upon their passions and prejudices, nor
warped their judgment. They are known
70 be governed by high sense Of duty To
the State, and therefore in full sympathy
with the sacred rights and interests Of the
people. More than this, they are from our
people, in touch with them, and are sup
posed to know their wants and necessties
Il is a we'll recognized axiom that every
public crisis must be managed by those who
are called upon TO deal with it.
The SENTINEL has never advocated any
measure that was solely in the interest of
any party, II in its judgment that measure
was not sanctioned by considerations OF
policy and propriety which tended To make
it useful and healthy in the interest of the
State. The period has arrived when every
good citizen and every candid and honest
voter must acknowledge the great and grow
ing need OF a sound and vigorous reform 10
our ballot system. Through the operations
of Just such stringent and vigorous ballot
system large number Of ignorant and idle
negroes have been driven from the States of
Alabama, North and South Carolina and
Georgia. This population has made the
District OF Columbia is resting place. Here
by some manner or means they manage To
sustain life-numbers OF them DOING under
hot summers sun and shivering and groan-
ing under the cold blast OF winters wind.
Early 10 the fall of the year, the male por-
ton are cooped, fed and clothed until Q short
time before the election, when they are dis
tributed throughout the State with instruc
tiOns how and for whom they are TO vote,
which instructions they implicitly obey.
This mode of procedure has gone so far that
II is known they are taken 10 the Southern
counties with bands oil music and dropped
of st well selected points. II has not gone
thus lar in Montgomery county. but We all
know that there are hundreds Of idle and
worthless negroes voting 10 this county Who
have no legal right TO do so. II was through
this element of population that the Repub
lican party carried Maryland at the last
election, rs 10 other oi their triumphs since
the negro was given the right oil suffrage.
Il ID also q well known fact that numbers
OF negroes were sent last fall To the State OF
West Virginia in order TO make sure he
publican triumph in that State.
When necessary, we remodel the Consti
tntion u suit the changed circumstances o.
the times in Maryland, keeping in view the
same fundamental principles which origl
nally established that Constitution. This
is only a step in the onward march Of the
history of the Stats, and like the correspond
ing step in the march of the history Of the
United States. II changed circumstances
require at times a remodeling Of our State
Constitution, certainly faulty and ruinous
franchise system ought and should be cor
rected Fancy, nay realize, great State
like Maryland, with the auxillaries of CON-
merce and agriculture bringing all parts of
the State together, penetrating every little
creek and harbor 10 the State with steam
boats, the increased communication of the
people with each other, the rapid expansion
of her cities and towns, the growth OF popu.
lation, the development OF vast and varied
material interests, the large and growing in
crease OF her two great industries, the coal
and oyster productions, all OF which are to
come under the supervision Of the leaders
of the Republican party who are TO see that
such laws shall be enacted and such policy
OF government be pursued in every depart
ment OF the State, rs that party may think
best Tor its own interest. Then bring to
your mind the startling aud humiliatlng
fact that such legislation and control Of the
State is TO be brought about and sustained
through the importation OF an idle and rest
less band Of negroes.
That the law may impose hardship up
on many honest and upright voters with
both parties, we are free 10 admit, but We
are consoled with the reflection that II will
correct great and ruinous evil, and there
fore, at the same time, be OF genuine worth
IN those who may be deprived Of their vote.
Whether for good or evil, the virtues OF the
new laW will soon be tested. The problem
will soon be solved whether the sober
minded and rejecting yeomsnry Of the
State will take the reins into their own
hands, or remain 10 false security, insensi
BILE 10 the dangers that impend over them
selves and their posterity from the machins
tons OF agitstors and political adventures.
We have an abiding confidence when exer-
cising the sound intelligence for which they
stand so proudly pre- eminent. that rising in
the majesty oil their strength, they will vim
dictate their own capacity for self.govern-
ment, aud rescue the fair fabric transmitted
to them by the superhuman exertions Of
their patriot sires from the lmpious touch OF
those who would subvert 1t,
II regardless Of the history Of the glorious
past, II unmindiul OF that beneHcent legisla-
ton by whose fostering care We have grown
90 great, we are at last TO be overwhelmed
and placed 10 bondage as 1t were through
the agency OF an imported avalanche OF
worthless and homeless negroes, let every
Democrat have the proud reflection that 10
the hour OF trial be stood for white mans
lie the great question which
now confronts and appeals to the intelli-
gence and pride Of the good people Of the
ancient and once honored Common wea lth
OF Maryland.