Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1867-09-05
PUBLIC MEETING.

= A very large meeting of the citizens Of
our county was convened in the Court
House in this village on Tuesday last, in
1sspo6se to call made by the members of
the late Constitutional Convention. On
motion }. Col. Chapman Bllingsley was
called to the chair. and Major John II.
Milbura and j. Thompson Yates. Esq,
were selected az vice presidents. On fur
Their motion, James 8. Downs was ap-
pointed secretary. q
: Col, Billingrley. upon taking the chair.
stated The object Of the meeting. in his
usual forcible and effective manner, and
concluded bis remarks by introducing to
the audience Gen. Walter Mitchell, Of
Charles county.
-. Gen. Mitchell said that twenty-sevep
years ago be had appeared as public
speaker before this people. He recognized
in the large audience before him many ia
:miliar faces, and it was a source of great
qualification to him to be able to grasp the
hands. of many here to-day who had rallied
around tho old Democratic Same "h far
back as $780, lie was more than graft
fed to see that if time had left its frost
marks upon the exterior of many he had
heretofore met here. it had failed to chill
the deep current of their patriotism, or to
Lessen their attachment to the great prin-
cipler of democracy. The people here love
their country and are still proudly loyal to
their revolutionary ancestors. In the
great war which has swept over ur. the
country has drifted very far from the con-
stitutional land marks AZ established by
our forefatherr A radical party now
rules the country and ignores the constl-
tuition which our forefathers framed -
That party is now engaged in acts of
spiteful oppression and petty tyranny
'againt the people of one section of our
country. and against that very people who
fought best and mort in the dark and
doubtful hours Of our first revolution.
VI am here to-day. my fellow-citlzens,
10 tell you that when the late Convention
assembled at Annapolis, it was to set aside
the work of that radical element which got
CoutEOl ol INC CouuClls VI Npui bt"tc uui
ing the late revolution in which this coun-
ty was engaged. l am here to ask that
you will stand by me as IN days gone by.
in defence of the great constitutional rights
of the people, and that you will give your
united support in behalf of the constitution
adopted by the late convention. VIII you
do your duty in this matter. or will you
al IL 10 No
heresies of radioalism? Will you accept
n constitution. such AZ your friends have
framed for YOU, or remain under one
which was foistcd upon you by the FEEDER
al bayonet2 Will you sustain your party
or give aid to the radicals?
1t is true. there may be some objection
able features in this constitution. for no
work of man can be perfect But is not the
constitution which we now offer you supe-
rior to that under which you are now liv-
ingy Let us compare the two documents
and make up our verdict.
Gen. Mitchell here went into minute
examination Of the two constitutions and
gave very cogent and elaborate reasons
why the one now presented should be
adopted, He argued that it WAS = fallary
70 hold the late convention responsible for
tho abolition of slavery. for that work had
been virtually accomplished, several years
since. through the medium of President
Lincoln Slavery was a thing of the past
and did not live IN the issue before us. The
most vital question involved was that of
free restoration to their stull rights of all
those who had incurred the displeasurs OF
radcalism and were prescribed by the
constitution under which We now live.
He believed all who sided with the South
in the late struggle did so from con-
scicntious conviction of duty. and believed
they were doing battle for tho defence Of
thcir constitutional rights. He wished to
see all these men-many of whom return
sd here maimcd in the conflict -enjoy all
the rights which the proudest among us
enjoy; and, to that end he intended to Ia
Der. in this contest and in all future con-
'tests until this great work shall be sccom-
phshed.
Men talk of compensation for slave
property. II is right we should have it.
Bun, if it be not, attainshle. at present,
shall we barter away all other rights be-
cause this one shall be withheld Such
theory as~this would work a political sui
eide; and l conjure you, fellow citizens,
TO pay no attention to men who would cx-
cite your prejudices on this question. Re.
gard them. if you please. As your personal
friendS. but rest assured they are your
POLITICAL enemies They may mean right.
but they hug vain delusion to their
bosons. The practical tendency Of their
vie~s is. to induce you to give virtual
support to rsdicalism. by leading you as
tray upon the great iasue now before you.
Many Object to negro testimony So
did | when it was frst proposed in the
con~vnt,gn::- ! fought again't .lts intro
duction into the constitution nov before
you, and would have left it entirely to flu
ture Legislation. IA it is, however, the
people control this matter IN toto. 1t IL
amply an experiment forced upon Us BY
Federal legislation, and it cannot survive
the next scssien Of the Legislature. unless
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