St. Mary's beacon., 1861-10-10
Organize for the Coming Election.


It ia a matter Of the highest Importance
that the Peace Party in this State. espcci-
ally im the counties. should proceed at
once to organize. in order that working
maturity opposed to the continuance of
the present ruinous and unconstitutional
war may be returned to the next House
Of Delegates. Little is to he hoped from
baltimore city in the way Of assistance to
the Peace movement in the State. In
decd, it il even doubtful whether the peace
mcn there will vote at ALL The suspension
Of the Board Of Police rendering any cleo
ton null and void in that city under the
existing laws Of the State. But the coun-
ties are differently and more fortunately
situated in this respect, and it will be for
them to decide at the November election.
whether Maryland shall be actively COM
mitted by her Leg stature to the further
prosecution of u war which was conceived
in outrage and brought forth in iniquity
and which is in dice, opposition to her
dearest interests aud her lifelong sympa-
thies. IF The ballot box il not abolished
or the people prevented from voting ty
test oaths--a faverite scheme with the
loyal press and toyalists generally-we
have not the slightest fear for the result.
Prescription and persecution have had the
same effect in Mary land which they have
had in other countries and in other ages
They have made few hyp"cri'es who will
desert the Government the very moment
j, is their interest to do so or as soon as
they can do it with safety to themselves.
One thing is patcnt to all h"ncst and in-
trlligent minds an that is. that Lincoln
has neither strengthened his friends nor
weakened his opponents by his Stafford
like course Of action in this State. On
the contrary, he has alicnated from the
Cuion party many men who were honest
ly favorable to the Government in the
beginning Of the war. but who have now
become. in consequence Of his oppressive
aud illegal conduct towards tier peace
friends and neighbors and particularly for
his Cromwellian Outrage upon the L"gis-
latire Of Maryland and the freedom of the
Independent Press, the most bitter and
daring Of his enemies. But whilst Access
sious to the great Peace movement in
Maryland from the war or Union party
arc to be enumerated by hundreds. it has
lost little or nothing Of its original strength
BY assertions to the enemy. Since the war
began. it would be difficult to name q stu
gls man of distinction or influence in the
State that was in favor Of peace who is
now in favor Of war. Indeed, the friends
Of peace and constitutional Government in
Maryland have every incentive and ell
couragement to LABOR for the success Of
their ticket in the coming election. They
have a cause to labor for which is well
worthy sheir best cxer,iuns. Its success
depends upon themselves. Let them then
organize at once in the different counties
Of the State. Ons-half the energy, which
is excrtcd to carry an ordinary partizan
election. will nov be sufficient to place
Maryland permanently on the side Of peace.
Will it bs Withheld? We are confident
that it will Mt. On the contrary, We be-
lieve that it VII be rcdoubled, and that no
honorable effort will be spared to make
the victory which awaits the Peace Party
in November nsxs decisive Of the true po-
sitiOn Of Maryland on the war question for
all time to come. St. Mary's sends greet
lug to her sister eounties-l2OO majority
for peace aud the Constitution