American watchman and Delaware advertiser., 1826-09-15
FOR THE wArcHMAN.

ei nor at the ensuing General Election. ! esteem
them both as men Of correct pertinent, and would
unhe si,angly pronounce them worthy the conh-
dence and support Of the parties to which they are
respectively attached From these sentiments,
which believe generally prevail, was induced 10
hone thai the coming contest would be decided at
the polls in an orderly and temperate manner; and
that 10 nvidlous comparison needless lnvestiga'
tion Of the talents and abilities Of the rival candi-
dates would take place through the medium OF the
newspapers. In this hope, however, have been
disappointed. Your brother OF the Gazette no
sooner became acquainted with the names OF the
candidates, than he began drawing odious compar
lsons-placing Mr.. Polk in point OF talents and
ability, lar above MIR. Hazard; and find in the
last Of his papers which has reached me, the same
string is touched to the same tune again. This
assumption Of Mr.. Harker is false and anfounded !;
and while am willing 10 admit that either OF the
gentlemen are worthy the trust to which their
friends arc anxious to elevate them. must from
my own knowledge deny that Mr.. Polk is in any
respect more intelligent more capable OF discharg
ing the duties Of the Office of Governor, or more
independent than Mr.. Hazard. Fully assured
that Mr.. Harker's character as a writer is so we'll
known and so duly appreciated that he has for so
long time been in the habit OF speaking conf
dently of the characters and talents OF men Of
whom he knows nothing; oi dscoursing at great
length aboat measures and motives oi which he
lis entirely ignorant wilfuly blind that he has
so completely Disguised all Impartial men OF all
parties that not one in ten of his subscribers pre-
tend to wade through his wire drawn, fulsome and
false editorial remarks; and that whatever he as.
serts in his editorial capacity is more likely TO be Ia
ken by contraries, as some persons take their
dreams, than otherwse--I should have passed by
his idle puings without notice but there has
been gotten up along the borders oil Kent and Sus
sex counties an eectioneering tale which ought to
make its authors blush and hang their heads, that
their cause should be deemed in want OF such
shameless, and unhoy pretrxt to aid and support
it-and while am proud to have it IN my power
to subscribe to The truth Of the aforesaid ,ae on
account of the object intended by its authors to be
attained through its agency, can by no means
suffer 1t to pass without comment.
There dwels along the borders Of the lower
part Of this State, adjoining the Maryland line,
horde OF mscreaDts, of all parties, of any party,
and OF no party, amounting perhaps in the whole
to 20 individuals, among the most abandoned oi
those who disgrace humanity, who deal and traffic
in human flesh not that which they msy by law call
their own property, but they often lay violent hands
upon the poor unfiended free black, and beat, bind
and sell him to southern traders, in despite Of all
laws human and divine. These wre,ches are otter
brought before our Courts of Justice upon charges
ot kidnapping /; but in most they have acted
so warily though they are neatly always considered
guilty, that they make out 10 evade conviction-or
1t Is midnight business, and those who could most
positively prove their guilt, have been by them con
veyed where their cries for redress and justice afe
hushed by the commands OF ruthless task master
who answers all their complaints by fresh appIi
cation OF the scourge of tyrant. Aud when they
are convicted, 10 most cases our weak Governors
have yielded to their cries for mercy, and remitled
The punishment which the laws have declared shall
follow as consequence Of their crimes. To this
class OF voters, some of Mr. Folks nconsidcrate
friends have ventured address themselves in the
following terms" Mr. Hazzard Is a member ofl
the .4boltion Society and friendly to the emaucpa
tioa of the blacks and il he is elected, those loho
may happen to be so unfortunate as to be conrcted
of certain otenceS against them, cannot erpect
mercy at his handS''
When first heard that such tale was afoat
and relied upon by Mr. Polk's friends as likely to
add to the number of his supporters | set the re
por, down as ialse and idle, but have since heard
from several frderaliss that such report is in cir
cuation along the Maryland line, and that they be
lleve it will have q considerable effect with a.
certain class of persons.
Is there man among US so vile as to own him.
sell kdnapper and to acknowledge that he will
prostitute his right of suffrage by giving his vote
to one Candidate for no other reason than that he
would be more likely than the other to pardon his
cars, should he be unfortunate as to be caught
stealing and approprsting to his own use free
black fellow being There are fear, some few
such men, and am sorry to say that perhaps a
very limited number of voters will for such bas
consideration refuse Mr.. Hazard their votes. But
|. Tor one, am willing 10 dispense with their sup.
pori-they are disgrace to any patty God send
them good clearance from ours, - l, would be a
disgrace to be elevated by the votes Of such men.
have long wished TO see in our State, Governor
made OF Sterner stuff than planv whom we have
had to rule over us-and ! hope if MIR. Hazard
is elected, he will not render our criminal code
dead letter by the almost indiscriminate remission
Of all fines and foreiinres mains and nen allies which