Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1926-10-01
THE PLATFORM
ADOPTED BY THE
MARYLAND STATE
DEMOCRATIC
CONVENTION

CUNvENIlUN
We. the representatives Of the Demo
cratic Party of Maryland. In conven-
tion assembled, believe that the prob
lens and conditions which confront
the people of Maryland can be better
met and solved through the agency OF
the Democratic Party than through
any other.
kinds. one involving underlying politi.
cal conditions as they manifest them
selves In this State and in the other
states today, and the other involving
the administration of the State Gov
eminent.
ToLERATIoN, LIBERTY AND STATE
RESPONSIBILITY
Almost three hundred years ago
the province OF Maryland esta blished
In the new world three vital and en-
during things
The first, In the field of religion,
was the spirit OF liberation and free
dom towards all creeds and denomi-
nations.
The second, in the field OF govern
ment, was the conception Of liberty
for the individual, the recognition OF
the individuals right to pursue his
own happiness and enterprise in his
own way so long as he did not inter
fere with the like rights Of others or
the sanctions OF society.
The third, also In the field of gov
eminent, was the idea Of a self-gov-
erning State, free and obligated to
settle its local problems as it's people
willed.
These things have always been the
most priceless possessions OF our peo-
pie and the political heritage Of the
Democratic party In this State. They
still are. They are indeed the prin-
ciples upon which our great Ameri-
can democracy has been built, and
upon which justice and liberty among
men depend.
Ahc bOuoy 40 AASh
too much government.
The Federal ship OF state has been
overloaded and sub jected to too great
a strain. Incompetence and red tape
and abuse Of authority and mounting
cost and taxes have been the inevi-
table results. The peoples govern
ment is getting farther and farther
away from the people.
The energies and the enterprise of
men both in business and In all the
adventures and relations OF life are
being fettered and harassed and
checked by excess of government, by
undue Federal supervision and in
spection and by the deadenlng effect
of Standardization. Sumptuary laws
lacking social sanction are imposed
upon the people, and the result Is
that enforcement, which is the life
of all law, breaks down.
These conditions have come about
very largely through failure to pre-
serve the proper equilibrium between
the Federal and State functions;
through the failure of the States, in
the first place, to fulfill their respon-
sibilities in local AFFAIRS. yielding
instead to an ever broadening and
meddling central government; and
through the failure OF the individual,
In the next place, to insist upon and
fight for his own inalienable rights,
and thus preserve the spirit of self
initiative and self-reliance which
made America great and which alone
can make America greater.
What is needed is a rededication to
the basic concepts of our government
and OF our party, in the terms OF
today and the needs OF to-day; a re-
awakening of political consciousness;
a response to the challenge for free
worship. free speech, individual lib
erty, security of the home, equality
before the law and state RESPONSE
bility.
1t was the challenge for those
things which in an age OF intoler
ance and suppression made men free.
1t is the same challenge which still
demands that the people OF each
State, as their American birthright,
shall have the right to educate and
raise their own children, determine
their own lives and happiness and
enterprise and otherwise settle and
regulate their own affairs, subject |
only to the laws of their respective
States, and without control by the
Federal Government or by any one
or all of the other States OF the
Union.
These principles embody the polit- |
zeal inheritance of the people OF
Maryland. They embody, we believe,
the political philosophy Of Maryland
still. They are the creed and gospel
OF the Democratic party In this State.
They are the heart Of Governor
Ritchies political faith, and have |
been proclaimed by him plainly, con-
sistently and fearlessly, both within
this State and before the country.
Colonel Willard e. Tydings, the |
nominee Of this Convention for the |
United States Senate, has actively |
supported these principles through |
his votes and speeches in the Ma
tional Congress
They are none the less the political
faith of our other candidates.
Those principles should commend
all our candidates to the electorate
Of this State,