The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1903-10-24
Mr.. Williams on Civic Spirit.

in Republican leaders, is Mr.. S. A. Will
liams' latest and most remarkable plea for
Democratic votes, without which votes he
confesses he can not win the Governorship.
In speech delivered at Rockville re-
Gently Mr.. Williams said, among other
things, cit is of the utmost Importance to
the public good that every political party
keep active and alive among its members
what is called the civic spirit, which, as
understand it, is a disposition in the indl-
vidual to take disinterested interest IN
party and public affairs, and not simply
with view to any personal advantage that
may come to him from so doing. 1t is al
WAYS easier to cultivate this spirit In mi
nority party than majority party, be-
cause the influence of the oficeholdlng
class is not so overpowering. | have tired
to show that the men who are possessed
of the civic spirit have, at the present
time. more influence in the Republican
party than in the Democratic party. In
proportion as politics succeed the influence
of this spirit becomes very much less Ell
fective.
The friends of Mr. Warfeld, the popu-
lar and winning Democratic candidate Tor
Governor, can study this Republican state
ment with much profit and edificatlon.
Republicans are no better individually than
Democrats This is interesting when con-
sidered in the light of the fact that there
are nearly 60, 900 negro Republican voters
in the State. Mr.. Williams is more gen
erous than some of his friends who do not
give the Democratic voters SO much praise.
The civic spirit is to be found in the
minority party, says Mr.. Williams There
fore, he argues, you should elect the Re
publican candidates. His plea is to Dem
ocratic voters to come to his assist
ance and desert their standard bearer, MIR.
Warfeld who was undoubtedly nominated
by the people. An answer to this plea,
convincing but most disturbing to MIR.
Williams, is found in the numbers OF those
who focked to greet Mr.. Wartield wher-
ever he goes on his campaign. At Mount
Carmel, Baltimore county, the number
present was conservatively estimated at
over 10, 900.
The ''civic spirit becomes less effective
in proportion as parties succeed, MIR. VIII
Hams continues. The Republican party,
with the aid of Democratic voters, sue
ceeded in 1895, and again in 1897. The
Democratic voters will not soon forget the
sad and disgraceful spectacle of the Mary
land House of Delegates Of 1896, pre-
sided over by the Hon. Sydney f. Mudd
as Speaker, or again the House of 1898,
presided over by the Hon. Louis Schafer.
These leaders, according to Mr.. Williams
logic, should have been the embodiment
of the sscivic spirit Neither will the
voters of Baltimore and the State soon for
get how quickly those 90, 600 colored vot-
ers-whose votes, Mr.. Williams holds has
been for good, lost sight of the civic spirit
and ran amuck to the terror of white women
everywhere--on crowded streets in the
city as well as on lonely country roads.
Finally, the civic spirit, says Mr. Will
liams, is disinterested interest in party
and public affairs without a view to per-
sonal advantage. This the Republican
leaders have in abundance, he intimates.
Mr.. Williams was State Senator and now
wants to be Governor. The Hon. Louis
+. McComas to be reelected to the Unit
ed States Senate, and has announced his
candidacy, accompanied by the statement
that if the Republicans win he will be re-
elected The Hon. Sydney E. Mudd did
want the United States Senatorship. He
was beaten out by Mr.. McComas. He
now wants anything and everything he
can get. The Hon. William +. Stone now
has the Collectorship of the Port of Balti-
more The Hon. Stephen r. Mason is
now Register of Wills in Baltimore. He
wants the postmastership of Baltimore.
The Hon. Hiram Watty (colored) is now
a City Councilman in Baltimore and will
want to be reelected Elk Gov. Lloyd
Lowndes wanted to be reelected Cover
nor. Mr. Williams took the nomination
from HIM through the aid Of the Repub
lican machine, but Mr.. Lowndes lives in
hope. The Hon. George A. Pearre, who
says that the Democratic record is record
of thieves and thugs, is Congressman
and wants another term in Congress. The
Hon. William H. jackson has not an
nounced his wants, but he is now Il Con-
gresham. The Hon. Phillips Lee Colds
borough is Internal Revenue Collector.
These are the Republican leaders, State
and City, Have they the proper disin-
terestedness to bubble over with the civic
spirit? Mr.. Williams will certainly have
difficult time in convincing the voters of
the State that they have, in view of their
office holding records.
Undisturbed, even needless Of the soph-
istry, abuse and misrepresentation OF his
opponents Mr. Warfeld goes placidly but
theoretically along on his campaign, win
ming votes by his frank and direct speech,
as well as by his kindly and courteous
treatment of his fellow-men. He does not
boast of his "civic spirit but in him it
is to be found deeply imbedded, and not
of mushroom growth, He believes in
everything that can add to Maryland S
growth and prosperity. He would keep
Maryland the law abiding State that she
now is, to encourage the growth of her
population, to insure the SATELLITES of her
industries and the peaceful enjoyment of
all property rights. He would hold the
fair fame of the State dearly by enforcing
honesty and efficient service in high places
He would assist Baltimore to secure the
improvements she so badly needs, and
aid her in the struggle for commercial
greatness. All these he has pledged to
the people, and his pledges have no I'M
certain ring. He has promised to carry
to the office of Governor the same business
methods that have made his name, his
business and his State known in many
countries. Such Governor is needed in
Maryland and Mr. Warfeld will be elected
by plurality that will carry confusion into
the ranks of the Republicans. The tide
has set in overwhelmingly for him and
nothing can stay it.