Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1903-03-28

The thought of the rail road. the
steamboat, and indeed the common
conveniences which we accept and con-
slider indispensable in the every day.
prosaic business affairs of life, found no
Judgement at that time in the imagina-
ton of the most fantastic dreamer. The
highest ideal of commerce was the es-
tablishment of a system of wagon roads
and canals to connect the East and
West
The State Treasury was apparently
For several years the State could not
meet the interest payments due on the
State bonds. So oppressive was the
State debt that the plan was even pro-
posed and considered of repudiating the
debt altogether. but the plan was wise.
ly rejected, and the credit and fair
name of the State saved from lasting
dishonor. How great the change since
those Irish patriots first assembled.
Our population has increased nearly
four hundred per cent. Our people are
busy, intelligent and law abiding.
The diseases which our ancestors
thought as inevitable as the tax gather.
er, or the rotation of the seasons, have
yielded to improved sanitary condition
and the simple and cheap remedies now
to be had everywhere Smallpox and
other contagious diseases are compara-
lively rare and are easily controlled.
The health of the public is guarded
and preserved by board of expert
physicians selected for that purpose.
The blind. the deaf and the dumb, like
their more fortunate brothers and sis
ters, who have no such infirmities. are
provided facilities and opportunities for
education and mental improvement.
The sick are cared for at institutions.
some entirely dependent for support ON
private charity; whilst others are sub
stantially aided by the State. No class of
unfortunates deserves or receives more
consideration than the insane, who are
treated at two magnificent hospitals.
supported entirely by the State. IL is
worthy of remark that at one of these
hospitals the patients are entirely with
out physical restraint, and nowhere are
coercive measures used.
The old theory of subduing person
whose mind is diseased by the use of
the straight jacket. the hand cuffs and
the dark cell, is relic of the ignorance
and barbarism of the past. Ii Is en-
couraging to know that the humane
treatment which supersedes 1T accom-
plishes many more cures and much
more satisfactory results in every way.
In addition to living in State which
can boast of the extent of its foreign
trade. its manufactures, its trade with
other parts of our own country. its
| agricultural products, its fisheries, its
enormous mineral resources, we who
are here tonight can boast that our
State, though not technically. is yet
substantially out of debt.
But in the endeavor of the State
Government to accomplish this desira-
BILE result, necessary and appropriate
improvements have not been neglected.
think we can safely claim no state ut
present surpasses us in the number and
extent, and | may add the beauty, of
the public buildings which are being
built.
No one i'll contemplating the rise and
progress of the United States. and
especially of Maryland, can escape be-
ing impressed with the share taken by
the people of Irish descent in every i'm
portant movement, particularly ii that
movement required brains and bravery
to accomplish success.
The Nation and State should never
forget the services rendered the country.
both in war and peace. by DIR. Rush,
who fought throughout the Revolu-
tion. who was a member of the Phlla-
delphia convention which framed the
Constitution of the United States, and
who was also a member of the Mary
land convention which adopted that
Constitution; who afterwards served as
a member of Congress and in the Senate
of the United States. and as Secretary
of War. when he founded the West
Point Military Academy, and who bore