The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1905-10-13

representing two-thirds of the white
people of the State, now proposes an
amendment to the Constitution OF
Maryland under the operation of
which the evil in question will be
greatly reduced. We do this not only
in discharge of a solemn duty I'M
posed upon us by the popular vote
of 1903, but with the profound con-
viction that it will open the way to
intelligent and clean politics by lodg-
ing the power i'll the honest, respon
sible and patriotic masses without
reference to their party inclinations
and affiliations.
at is alleged, though without truth
or justice, that the amendment con-
templates the oppression of a class.
AS matter of fact, it does nothing
of the kind. We seek merely to set
up a standard of citizenship where
by the obviously unfit may be ex-
cluded from the ballot box and to lift
the franchise from the gutter into the
realm of common deceucy. In the
hands of the ignorant and depraved
the ballot is public peril. In the
hands of the intelligent and the viz
tuous it is the safeguard of our hal
lowed institutions. The Democratic
party of Maryland appeals to the
whole electorate to defend the honor,
integrity and the peace of this proud
Commonwealth.
Nothing in the proposed amend
ment discriminates against any race
or class. The poor as well as the
rich, the humble as we'll as the
mighty, the naturalized as we'll as
the native-born citizens-all can ex-
ercise the privilege of sovereignty,
and on perfectly equal terms, under
the operation Of this amendment. To
say that it violates the organic law
of the nation is to indulge in mere
idle rant. Those who make the accu-
sation know that it is intended only
for the wigwam and the stump.
They know that it would receive
nothing but contempt and ridlcule
i'll the forum of the courts.
"The truth is that the law we adj
vocate is more liberal and just and
righteous than any Of the laws that
have been enacted anywhere for the
purpose of protecting society and
civilization as against corruption,
anarchy and crime. 1t constitutes
bulwark for the State, for property,
for order, for the hreside. That any
man, at once honest and intelligent,
can oppose it must ever be mystery.
1t appeals to everyone who respects
himself and at the same time consid-
ers the welfare of his neighbor.
This is an intimate and personal
question with all of US. The capital.
list, the merchant, the wage earner-
these equally depend for their pros
perity upon wise, orderly and viz
tuous methods of government. If the
ballot be retained in the hands of the
ignorant, degraded and criminal
classes, whose home is safe? Whose
livelihood assured?
"The Republicans set up the propo-
sition that they will continue to
employ these $4,000 ignorant, cor
rupt and irresponsible voters with
out injury to the Commonwealth,
without injury to our civilization,
without peril to society. We re-
pudiate the claim as insincere physi-
cally, morally and intellectually inn
possible; and we charge them with
full knowledge of that fact. On the
other hand, the Democratic party
submits to the white people Of Mary
land platform without technical
tiles or evasions, an issue clear-cut,
non-partisan, plea for good gov
eminent, for the integrity of our in
situations, for the protection of our
families and the safety and honor of
our fresides.
eve say again, therefore, that there
is but one issue-the publication of
the electorate And as there is but
one issue, so there can be but one
appeal-to the conscience of honest
and enlightened men.
with this distinct declaration of
our views upon the vital question
which now alone engages the atten-
ton of the people, and with our
hearty commentator of the admir-
able manner in which the business
affairs Of the State have been man
aged by the Governor, Comptroller
and Treasurer. we enter upon this
campaign confident that the people
will again declare with renewed en-
phasis their resolute and unalterable
purpose to maintain the supremacy
of our race"