Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1905-07-28
Party Loyslty-A Contrast.

NJ. Editor The test Of loyalty is the
readiness to serve under all conditions. The
true party spirit is displayed when one Is
willing TO meet defeat in order to keep party
principles before the people, trusting In the
strength OF cause rather than In the result
OF campaign, and looking hopefully TO the
future for the triumph Of the right
1t does not severely tax ones grit and
loyalty TO become candidate when every
thing points TO victory and the honors and
emoluments OF office appear within easy
reach. These, indeed, are the conditions
under which the politicians press TO the
front with self laudation, claiming recogni-
ton to which they are not always entitled,
and proclaiming services which are not al
ways real.
We find the truth of this In two Instances
10 the later political history OF Montgomery
county. In 1895, when the Democratic party
was sorely beset by divisions Mr.. Blair Lee
was nominated for Congress in the Sixth
District He did not seek the nomination,
and TO all appearance he accepted II with
reluctance. In district normally Republl-
can and with his own party out Of harmony,
defeat seemed inevitable. But 1t was inn
portant that the lines should be kept intact
as far as possible, and In the true spirit Of
service he took the banner the people ten
dered him and bore IL manfully and honor
ably to the end,
Eight years later, in 1904, In the Demo-
cratic Congressional Convention assembled
10 Rockville, report was presented asking
Mr.. Spencer U. Jones to accept the nomina.
ton. The convention never took q vote
upon it. Mr.. Jones was present and i'm
mediately declared that he would under no
HlrNnmaia ha nnnNtnaktAn Ia
declaration was made with considerable
heat, and created not little surprise 10 that
assembly oil Democrats. He gave no reason
for his declination other than his unwilling
ness-his fixed determination not to serve.
The result was adjournment and confusion
and condition which weakened the party
10 the district, as Mr.. Walter A. Johnston,
who CALAMITY came TO the rescue, discov-
cred as the campaign progressed. At the
time oil the convention the conditions were
unquestionably better than they were In
1885, and yet he who had never refused TO
make the running in smooth water, seemed
afraid TO buffet the waves of real and
doubtful contest.
The contrast Ia striking one, and should
carry weight with our people at this time,
when Mr.. Lee aud Mr.. Jones are opposing
each other for the Senatorial nomination. -
Mr.. Lees loyalty was tested upon the firing
line In the fercest political battle Of our
time; Mr.. Jones's found expression In long
years OF we'll paid office holding.
And just here 1t occurs TO me, that one oil
the objections urged against Mr.. Lee 10 that
he Is not sufficiently identified with the
county. 1t is true that he has lived here 9
great many years and that he is probably
the largest individual taxpayer, and thai
ought to suffice. But the point l wish To
make is this: II Mr.. Lee 10 not now suffi
GENTLY Identified with the interests OF the
county to represent US In the State Senate
how could he be sufficiently Unidentified with
our interests eight years ago TO represent us
In the Congress Of the United States The
people who make this objection TO him now
did not make II then, and the glaring incon-
sistency of the thing would be amusing
were 1t not 30 disgusting.
FAIR PLAY.