Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1905-10-06
STATE CONVENTION,

With an unanimity and an enthusiasm
that left no question of its genuine sponta.
neous character, the Democratic State Con.
vention held on Thursday of last week at
Ford's Opera House, Baltimore, adopted Its
platform and renominated its candidate for
State Comptroller Gordon T. Atkin-
son, OF Somerset county, says the Baltimore
San.
As had been recognized, the suffrage
amendment to the Constitution is made the
single issue of the campaign and, except for
an Endorsement Of the business administra-
ton OF Gov. Warfield, no other theme Is re-
ferred to in the resolutions. In the whole
convention, which was one Of the largest
and most successful held by the party In
recent years, there was not a single vote
against the amendment and the ratification
of the platform was accomplished with
cheers amid the greatest enthusiasm.
From end to end the measure dominated
the assembly, and the purpose Of the party
to make its adoption the battle cry In the
campaign was declared as firmly and as
forcefully as the English language would
permit. Powerful speeches by distinguish
ed Democrats from various sections of the
State in support Of the amendment were
made, and to the declaration that the time
for words had passed and the hour for &C
ton had arrived there was a tremendous re-
Spouse from the delegates and others who
crowded the building. Hardly another sub.
ject was referred to by any speaker and man
after man called upon the party people to
rally TO the call and go into the fight with a
vigor and aggressiveness that will result In
relieving the white people of the State OF
Maryland Of what was declared to be the
intolerable burden Of unrestricted negro
suffrage and Its attending evils.
The faces of many we'll known and promi.
nent party men who have not appeared at
State convention In years were seen on the
stage and among the delegates.
While unusual demonstrations were &C.
corded Ex-Governor John Lee Carroll and
Ex-Governor Elihu E. jackson, whose strong
addresses stirred the crowd to wild enthusl-
asm, the real feature of the convention was
the brief speech of Senator German.
In the 10 minutes consumed by his speech
he made 1t plain that his heart Is in this
fight and that 30 far as he is concerned II is
fight toa finish. Alter stating that he
knew of no man in the Republican party in
Maryland, "from Mr.. Bonaparte up" who
could conceive Of man standing by his
own party without hope of reward, he made
what was generally regarded by those who
heard itas a most significant statement in
regard to his future.
I In words that could not be mistaken he
declared that II the amendment Ia carried
and the negro eliminated as a political fac.
tor in Maryland, he would agree to seek no
further place and would die happy man.
II, however, "a corrupt combination of dis.
affected Democrats, mugwumps, white Re-
publicans and their negro allies" succeeded
In defeating the measure, he promised that
he would still be a soldier and would fight
on.
some of Mr.. Germans closest friends con.
strued this declaration as distinct promise
that if the amendment is adopted he will re-
tire from public life and will not be can
ddate for reelection to the United States
Senate at the close OF his present term. II
II is beaten this time, however, they say he
means he will not drop the fight for negro
Acknowledgement, but will continue 1t as
long as he lives.
Governor Jackson asserted that he had
given more of his time and more of his
money to aid in the election OF Governor
| Warleld than he had to bring about his
own, and that the Governor had been elect
ed upon the principles OF the amendment
which is to be voted for this fall That the
Governor should now oppose that measure,
he said, made him feel sorry, and he felt
that he was doing a thing which later he
will find impossible to explain TO thousands
Of his best Democratic friends. His speech,
at the request of Governor jackson, was read
to the convention by Mr.. Alonzo l.. Miles,
who explained that the OK Governor had
arrived in the city from business trip to
Mississippi only few minutes before the
convention assembled and was so worn out
with the journey that he did not feel equal
to the task of personally addressing the
gathering. To the cheers that were given,
the ex Governor bowed and waved his
hand.
Another feature of the assembly was the |
address OF General John Gill, who at times |
past has bitterly fought the Democratic party |
and denounced the Democratic leaders, both |
Senator German and Mr.. Rssin. 10 his ad.
dress, with both Of these leaders looking on |
from the box, General Gill came ont vgor. |
ously for the amendment, declaring his be. |
lief in its principles and his confidence that |
it will be adopted. He also made some sar.
castle references To Maj. Richard N. Vena.
BILE and others who are opposing the meas
ure, and was vigorously cheered by the
crowd.
Two we'll known figures In the building
were ex-GoV. Frank Brown and ex-GoV. |
John Walter Smith. The latter sat with |
the Worcester county delegation. Enthusi.
astic greetings were given by the conven.
ton to both Dr. Joshua W. Herring, the
permanent chairman, and former Congress-
man Joshua W. Miles, the temporary chair.
man, both Of whom made forceful addresses.
Other speakers included Mr.. Derby Lynch,
oil ST. Mary's county, aud Mr.. Edward q +.
Peter. Of this county, who being new figure
at State convention, was called on with
out warning by the chairman, and made |
brief speech which was vigorously cheered
The following is the platform adopted by
the convention
"By common consent the only Issue In this |
campaign 10 whether negro suffrage put up |
on us against our will by force, shall be re-. !
stricted and It's powers for evil destroyed. /
This Democratic convention, representing |
TWO thirds OF tho white people Of the State, |