The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1904-02-13
The Sentinel and Grow.

Readers of the AdUocdte will watch its ed
torial columns this week with more than or
binary interest People are curious 10 see
whether it will meekly ''eat crow and swai-
low the Rayner dose without making WY
face Sentinel.
The readers of the ADyocATE well know
that this paper never eats crow, dish our
neighbor frequently dimes upon, and they we'll
know that it does not belong TO anybody 5
band wagon or hail with delight the election
of any man to public position when 1t be
heyes some other should have been chosen.
II acouieses in the will OF the majority, but
acouiescence is different from eating crow,
and acquieseuce does not mean change Of
opinion. 1t does not take orders from any
leader. big or little, though it eounsels with
Democrats frequently.
How about the Sentinel ? Is it not blind
follower of State and local leaders, meme OF
whom consult it upon any matters politica2
Was it ever known to criticise Republican
Official or dissent from what it believed TO be
wrong in the party2
The ADVOCATE, while a straight Democratic
party paper, is always independent enough to
interpose to save the party from errors. Il
opposed the election Of Stevenson Archer rs
State Treasurer, aud had its advice been fol-
lowed the State would have been saved from
the only blot that has occurred under Demo
cratic rule since it succeeded TO power in 1867.
1t opposed the course and policy of the late
Governor Hamilton, because We believed II
would end in party disruption, and STOOD alone
among the Democratic papers in the State for
about two years, when nearly all followed the
ADvOcATE's lead.
II criticised the course of President Cleve-
land more than a year before bis term ex-
pired, and predicted that il something was not
done 10 increase the money supply and lessen
tariff taxation the Populis,s and the Demo
Gratis of the West. driven almost to desp@rs
ton, would combine and eou,rol the party
For its criticism Of Gov. Hamilton and
President Cleveland the ADVOCATES course
was disapproved by every Democratic county
and district leader in Carroll, bur time yindi
Gated the wisdom Of It's course. Hamilton
retired from the executive office with scarcely
political friend in the State. and Mr. Cieve
land retired from the Presidency with Only a
fragment Of the Democratic party standing
with him. while the Western and southern
Democrats, combined with the Populisis, cap
tured control of the Democratic party.
The ADVOCATE claims no special merit for
its course. 1t but did its duty to preserve the
Democratic party and to maintaiu the ascen-
dancy Of Democratic prineiples-those Prin.
ciples, when applied to government, are the
safeguard Of the republic and guarantee Of
the peace, good order and prosperity Of so
ciety.
They are mentioned here merely to show
the difference between the Sentinel, whose
chief diet is CROW, and which never dares 70
criticise Republican officials or Republican
policies, and the ADVOCATE though Il party
paper, which is always ready 10 strike for the
preservation Of t:e Democratic party FROM
false policies from within and from attacks
from without. as well as to advocate proper
men for public position and oppose those
whose election would not make for the best
interests of the party.
TIE Sentinel will not appreciate that course
in a party paper. but the readers Of the Ap-
yocATE will With the ADVOCATE party is
6rst; the success or failure of individuals sec
ondary. The policy of the Sentinel is-'Go
it blind"