The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1905-09-30
A GREAT CONVENTION.
The Democrats Meet in Large
Numbers to Start the Gam
paign of 1905.
DR.. Herring. OF CARROLL, PRESIDES.

Among the delegates were considerable
number of Democrats of State wide reputa-
ton, and among others were men who have
grown old in the service of the party and
State, who attended to lend their presence and
voice to the cause o White Supremacy. Some
of these men viii probably never attend
another State con sention and their participa-
ton in Thursday proceedings was wholly in
the interest of younger and future generations.
State Chairman Vaudiver called the con-
veution to order and looking over the full
delegations and crowds of spectators, an
nounced "a quorum present, causing laughter
and applause. Hon. Joshua W. Miles, OF
Somerset county, was temporary chairman,
and DR.. j. W. Herring, of Carroll, was per-
manent chairman.
A solid platform for the Amendment was
adopted, and DR.. Gordon I. Atkinson was
renominated for Comptroller by reclamation.
Stirring speeches were made by Chairman
Vandiver, Joshua Miles, DIR. Herring, Derby
Lynch. ex Cows. John Lee Carroll aud Elihu
E. jackson, John Gill, president of the Mer-
camille Trust Company, and Senator 4. P.
German. A brass band diseoursed music be.
fore the convention aud during the proceed
ings, adding to the enthusiasm Of the occasion.
The platform and speeches will receive at
ten,ion next week Below sc give in full the
SPEECH OF DIR. Herring.
GENTLEMEN oF THE CoNvENTtoS:-l appre-
ciate very highly the honor Of presiding over
this splendid body Of Maryland Democrats.
We are gathered for the purpose OF taking
counsel together. for the promotion OF the
best interests of our State and of our party, OF
nominating candidate for Comptroller OF
the Treasury. and of formulating and adopt
ing such platform SIS wall reflect the time
hnnored principles OF our party and give EN-
phasis and impetus 10 the campaign upon
which we are nov entering.
Except tor the period Of tonr years. the
government of this good old Commonwealth
has been under The control Of the Democratic
party since 1867. and during that time a
record has been made which reflects credit
upon our party aud upon the SiAie We love 81
we'll
The history OF the Democratic party m this
State j. history Of good government, afford
ing to every citizen. high aud low, protection
before the las. maintaining good ORDER ut'hin
our borders and giving Ia our people az al
sections the blessings ot peace snd qu'ei.
II Is history OF honest and economical
administration Of oar public affairs the build
ing up and fostering splendid system Of
public education. giving 10 every child ~ the
Stale. white and colored. ghr opportunity ioi
fair English education, AN education intended
to IL him tor good citizenship lis history
includes. also. large improvement ~ oar
public baildiags, both q, the State Cap''si
and elsswhere, extensive and careful arrange,
menf for the hes, and mos, modern carr Of
our iudigeni insane; ard uh'ie Al THIS hAs
been done, under the wise and capable
management Of ibe Democratic parry. there
has been a substantial reduction 10 ihe pubic
debt Of the State record Of Ehaea we, as
members 81 the Democratic party, may vel
feel proud, aud whieh shoali be spp9anded
BY every good and hoaest citizen Of The Stale.
irrespective ct party Nov, ws cene before
the people Of the Stale again, ior = couituaA
ton Of their confidence. believing thai our
past record jEstiiies Us IA making sass claim.
We believe, also. thai there are peculiar
reasons why the people of Maryland should
support the Democratic party IN this cam
paixu, and ShY believe they sriA support
us IN this campaign We are hghitng the
battle OF the white people Of Tbs S'aie AgAsns1
90 effort 20 fasien uPau -, "a PcrpeiHily: the
]
1bso}Hte domination IN certain sections ~ oair
Conmon wealth. by onr nziive NaSrecs, ryiH'
forced By the horacS frnsa other States, via.
nj the Inyitatioa Of the Republican party,
flnd . political asylum IN oIr midst thHs
swelling more aud ulnre the mas ~ trrrsESao'
sib!e negro vuler~ wha form a large part 81
the lie aud strength Of that party. Against
this ws protest aud against ihis We shall ~sgr
ee4seieSs warfare
The position OF the Democratic party upon
tbs question: IS precisely ~hAI Is sAs IN the
GabernaioriAl cAapAiEn Of 1875. Les ne
read yog the declaration that sas made thea
I'VE believe that the political dss,lnies Of
Maryland should be shaped aud controlled D.
the white people Of the State, aud While 80
disclaim any purpose 10 DO any 'ulasi'es
whatever to our eolored population. &c declare
without reserve our reSoleie purpoSr 90 pre-
serve in every conservative aud constitutional
way the political Ascendeney Of cur race
| And yoa viii recall the fact, that that Vas thf
! prineipai issue ~ the campaign OF that year,
| aud Was advocated BY every Democratic gsaPe'
1 and every Democratic speaker 10 The Siafe,
/ Ton will also remember. that upon thai par,
1 ticalAr issue the Democratic party swept the
I State, eleetiug it, Governor and other Siais
| officers and three tifths majority IN both
| branches Of the General Assembly.
| In response TO this popular demand. The
| Legislature presents a Constitutional Amen"
meni 10 be passed ap0n by the electors OF the
/ State. The position OF the Democratic parts
| Is, thai the proposed amendment IS iall AHd
| fair answer 20 the request Of the people, a.
| expressed At the election Of 1898, Aud ~
| 20 into this contest confidently believing thai
the VOTERS Of ,he Stale wiIl re2is'n their torme'
I action aud make this amendment part Of the
| Constitution Of the State
| OF course. the Republican party and those
| who sympaihize with that party are oPpcSe,t
| TO the amendment, and. as they assert, upon
/ the high ground Of ''hones, elections.
| imagine. howexer, that the milk in the
| cocoanul" is the izci thAi they apprehend
that the elimination Of the Negro vote from
| the electorate world mean the elimination o.
| the Republican party from the politics Of the
| State.
| say, with full knowledge Of the fact thai
| there are a great many good white people u
| the State acting with the Republican party
/ that ans political party depending for Us eS
| isience upon the votes of the irresponsible and
| illiieraie negroes. who do rot stop for mo
ment to think or to discriminate, and who art
| hurled ike a huge mass against the Demo
| cratic party at every election, as Is the case
| xiih the Republican party ia Maryland. de
serves TO be eliminated from the politics ol
| the State.
No higher good could come to the Negroes
| in Maryland and in the entire South, than ID
! take them out Of politics. There IS nothing
/ either in time or conditions tina, will ever
atone for the gigantic wrong which was per
peirated upon the colored race 10 their en-
reimbursement, putting them in an utterly
false position, aud making them the dupe'
and tools of designing demagogues and carpet
baggers.
! The Democratic party is now and Away:
| has been the true friend of the Negro. And
| the Negroes themselves know it and realize j
every day in the year, except election day,
| When under the lash of a whip, sharper ant
severer than any that was ever cracked Over
the heads of their fellows in the worst cond
| tons of the days of slavery, they are herded
| like cattle aud driven to the polls and there
as the abject slaves Of their masters, made tc
| vote the Republican ticket.
While, as have said, the Democratic party
is the real friend Of The colored race. let II be
understood, that in the language of the plat
| form Of our party in 1908, I'VE declare with
out reserve our resolute purpose TO preserve
in every conservative and constitutional way
| the political supremacy of our race.
We believe this is for the best interests o.
both the white and colored races.
| Tall abont 9shonest elections OF course