The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1905-10-14
THE DEMOCRATIC CONVENTION.
The Enthusiasm With Which the
Amendment Was Adopted--Reg-
ulars, Independents and Others
Present


BALTIMORE, October 18th, 1905.
Discussions which have occurred since
the State Convention met two weeks ago,
would seem to indicate that Maryland
Democracy, as an organization, is enthu
siastically in favor Of adopting the suffrage
restricting constitutional amendment
The city forces are already vigorously at
work for its passage. Democrats through
out the counties may rest content that
nothing will be left undone in Baltimore
to secure as large vote as possible for the
redemption of the pledges made by the
State Convention Of two years ago, and
advocated by the candidates nominated and
elected on that issue. The issue is un-
changed BY anything of occurrence since;
least of all unchanged by the present atti-
tude Of the champions then selected
champions still. no doubt, though mex
plicably in the cause and camp of the
enemy.
Opposition to the amendment, except
ing negro and Republican party opposi-
ton, is restricted almost entirely to Balti-
more; and the opponents here, with the
unfortunate exceptions alluded to above, are
almost every one men who usually oppose
the Democratic party and its candidates.
They style themselves Democrats or indie
pendent Democrats, but all have easy ac-
cess to the space Of the newspapers, where
anything they say on the subject is loudly
proclaimed as an indication of public senti-
ment; when, in truth, they express their
personal views and no more-views further
more, in which they are so genuinely in-
terested that on election days they forget
to vote Their directing aim is to see
themselves in print; they like denunciation
since it couples well with the high-sound
ing phrase and sophistical argument; the
Democratic party is a large affair and safe
u public; why not sail into type anent the
Democratic party aud anything 1t advo-
cates2 This however IS scarcely fair ;
they really are ''agin the government,
no matter what party may be in the as
tendency nor who the leaders; the RepGb-
hcan party in power is sufficiently big and
public aud safe Hence it is that for
thirty years their old crowd have roasted
each succeeding administration. Although
the late Governor lsowndes was elected by
their aid to accomplish certain results, in
which he fully succeeded, they did not
scruple to attack him and his administra-
tion; even though he did everything in his
power To crafty them, he failed. They
are at present silent as to Governor War
field, but before the close Of his term in
Office, their views of him may confidently
he expected He Is doing his utmost to
aid them; they did their utmost TO prevent
bis election; vet if this small tub have the
slightest effect on these loud whales, it will
be the frst cause in the period already
mentioned to produce such result.
The convention Sept. 2S was remark
able in several ways, probably in not more
than one other since the war has there
been the general and large attendance; not
oitener has their been the spontaneous en-
thusiam; and not in that time have there
been in the audience more Maryianders OF
distinction Ii was packed, in that
the building was unusually orowed; 1t was
'eut aud dried affair, in that for forty
years 4 per cent Of these present had been
waiting to do what was done that day.
-Four of the six living ex- governors were
in attendance on the convention and in
harmony with its proceedings ExGOv-
ernors jackson and Carroll, favoring the
amendment, spoke to the point with force,
explaining why in their judgment all white
men should east their votes for it; ex x-Goy.
Frank Brown spent most Of the day ON the
foor Of the theatre or in its lobby, where
he met many old friends aud with all or
nearly all of whom, and in his old time
vigorous and enthusiastic manner, he talked
amendment Other prominent Maryland
ers were there; it was not a regular organ
ization gathering; the audience was plen-
tifuIly mixed with independents and voters
Of no party.
Such men as ex Governors Brown and
Jackson, Mr.. Blair Lee, General John
GI, Congressman John Gill, Jr,, the
Messrs. Peter, of Montgomery, Mr.. j.
Augustine Mason, and at least one hun
dred others hardly wear collars about their
necks, nor do they obey the mandates OF
political leaders or bosses. Their utter
ances and their presence at the Democratic
Convention created the impression that
they attended of their own free will, to dc
or help to do what they consider best fol
the interests of the State, and their mo-
tiyes are not generally doubted.
PAUL WINCHESTER.