Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1856-07-26
Political.
From the St. Mary's Beacon
TO THE WINGS OF ST. MARY

~ AhG w liUo Or OI. MA Ky y.
We, the undersigned, Two of the del
egates appointed by the meeting which
assembled in Leonardtown on the Dist
of June, to represent you in the Con-
vention recently held in the city of Bal
timore, having intentionally held our
selves aloof from, and refused to partici-
pate in the proceedings of said Conven-
ton, deem it due to you, as well as our
selves, to make known the reasons that
impelIed us to adopt this course. On
our arrival in Baltimore, it very soon
became manifest to us that large ma
jority Of the delegates in attendance were
prepared, and had determined to recon
mend Mr.. Fillmore to the wings OF
Maryland as candidate for the Presi-
dency. This induced an effort on our
part to discover how such condition OF
things was brought about. We were
not long in ascertaining that many Of
the counties were entirely unreprcsented
eight, as it afterwards appeared, moro
than third of the whole number of the
State-tbat number of the delegates
appointed, in the counties represented,
were not in attendance, and that some Of
these had purposely remained at home,
as we We're informed, not approving Of
the course which they learned had been
pursued in sending delegates instructed
to adopt particular course, when the
original call and purpose of the Conyen-
ton was for adyisement and consultation.
Our convictions with regard to the con-
dition and predetermined action of the
Convention amounted almost to positive
assurance, and the result proved that we
were correct. This Convention then,
thus constituted, could scarcely be re-
garded by US as a fair, certainly not as a
full expression of the sentiments Of the
wings of Maryland. Whether then we
should 60 into the Convention and secede,
or hold ourselves entirely aloof, was the
alternative presented to us. We adopted
the latter, not choosing to commit you or
ourselves by any act, even of question
able propriety, in opposition to what we
conceive to be. your manifestly expressed
opinions.
1t will be remembered that large and
respectable meeting of the wings of st.
Mary's convened in Leonardtown, on the
Both of May, 1855, for the purpose Of
maintaining and strengthening their par
ty organization, in which the work Of
disintegration had then already com
menced. At this meeting, among other
resolutions unanimously adopted, was
one in reference to, and denouncing the
American or Know-nothing party, then
first rising into signifcancy, which con-
cluded with these very emphatic words :
And that we, the wings Of st. Mary's
can feel no sympathy, nor hold any a6ili-
alton with, any such party in any man
ner whatever" Through all the vicissi-
tudes of this organization, its modifca-
tons Of platforms, its mutations Of prin-
ciples and policy, such, We presume to
think and state, is still the opinion Of the
wings Of st. Marys in relation to it;
ard we appeal to you with confident
assurance that we do not misrepresent
your feelings and opinions in making this
avowal. If then, we are right in our
presumption, the only question is-could
we, as your representatives, and consist
emily with your views, have endorsed the
nomination of the Philadelphia Know
nothing Convention, and recommended
Willard Fillmore as a candidate for the
Chief Magistracy Of the country, worthy
OF the confidence, and entitled to the
support Of the wings Of Maryland?
1t is a part Of the political history Of
the American PARTY that the Philadelphia