The Washington times., 1911-08-28
THE DUTY OF MARYLAND'S
DEMOCRACY.

1
mon for President would be the great
est service the Democrats could render
to President Taftj it would restore to
him q chance to snatch success from
the jaws of defeat.
J Likewise, the mass of Maryland
voters recognize that the nomination
of Arthur Pue German, Jr., for COVER
nor in tomorrow's primary would be
equivalent to inviting the Republicans
to grasp their best possible chance of
carrying the State.
Maryland Democracy must decide to-
morrow, just as the national Democ-
racy must decide ten months hence,
whether it will invite confidence or
distrust; whether it will look forward
or backward; whether it will touch ell
bows with the forward movement of
national thought and morals.
Let no Democrat underestimate the
national significance of the polling in
Maryland's first Statewide primary: If
German is nominated for governor it
will mean that a delegation will 90
to the national convention next sum-
mer committed to cooperation with the
Tammany machine of New York, the
Sullivan machine of Illinois, the Tag
CART machine of Indiana, and the broad
purpose of imposing reactionary
leadership on the party.
This is no incidental, local, neighbor-
hood affair that engrosses Maryland.
Its national bearings are so plain that
no Maryland Democrat can be excused
for failure to recognize them.
1t is not often that the line is SO
clearly, so unmistakably, drawn in a
political fight. The two candidates for
this nomination have made their
records in the same forum, the State
senate. There they have been the
leaders of the opposing factions.
Blair Lee has been the spokesman
of enlightenment, of popular measures,
of everything that right now COM
mands the imagination and the best
thought of the nation.
German has been the exponent of
the old regime, of the manipulating
machine, of secret caucuses, of subter
ranean service for selfish interest, Of
everything which brings SAVIOUR from
those political cauldrons in which the
Quays, the Platts. the Whitneys; and
the greater Germans of an older day
were wont to mix their political brews.
There can be no mistake about what
Maryland means. if she shall nomi
nate German tomorrow. The records
between which she must choose are
too clear. They have been published
so fully and fairly that no voter is
justified in error as to the real issue.
If Maryland Democracy names Cor
man for governor it will be the proof
that Maryland Democracy wants that
kind of a governor. Nay, it will be
more. 1t will be the evidence that
Maryland Democracy would rather meet
defeat under the black flag of political
buccaneering than victory under the
banner of straightforward, frank, sim
cere public service.
Look at it in the most sordid possible
way, the arguments still are in favor
of Lee. The nomination of German
is widefung invitation to disaster.
The presentation of Lee is proclama-
tion of purpose to deserve victory.
It is unbelievable that Maryland can
have been insulated from those cur
rents of progressive thought and in
terest which have galvanized the old
Democratic party into splendid new
life and promising prospect of national
victory.
Has Maryland felt none of the thrill
which the Wilson reformation of New
Jersey has communicated to the utter
most parts of the nation?
Has Maryland been unable to cast
a glance over her northern border and
recognize the proportions of the revo-
luton there going on against machine
rule and boss government
Can the achievements of a Demo
cratic House, approved and applauded
well-nigh everywhere, claim from
Maryland nothing better than the re-
buke that would be implied in putting
a German on guard when the tariff is
at the forefront of national issues?
German is, first of all, German.
He stands for all, save the ability,
that his father represented. And it
was his father who led in betraying
the national Democracy on the issue
made up in the Wilson bill. Would the
son do betterH
We must judge that by his associa-
tions. His chief supporter is John
Walter Smith, Senator from Maryland,
and head of the Democratic organiza-
tion, who during the Payne -Aldrich
tariff session was always down as an
"Aldrich Democrats lumber tariff
norooorof N norooorok &c Al. .1-I 49,