Port Tobacco times, and Charles County advertiser., 1870-09-30

I FRlDA1 /,
now struck will be felt year hence when the
action will actually begin. Why then hesitate
longer? What is it, fellow-citizens, that damps
the energies and extinguishes the zeal that
have heretofore shown so conspicuously forth
in political differences and party contests? Is
it apathy or is it despair? If the first, rise
like men who have work before them and cast
it to those, if any, who are basking in security.
If despair, indulge it no longer. Do not be
dismayed by their boasted numbers. Even if
they exceed you, diligence in advocating your
principles and in combating the errors OF
theirs may detach sufficient number of their
deluded followers to give you the preponder-
ance. At all events, bear in mind and act up
on the truth of that sublimely expressed con-
viction:
ssThrice armed is he who hath his quarrel Just;
| And he but naked, tho locked up in steel,
| Whose conscience with injustice is oppressed" )"
But some may say they are already deeply inn
pressed with the momentous questions now
endeavors to aid in averting the threatened
| disaster; but, being unused to active partici-
| patton in public concerns, have small hope OF
accomplishing much good and very reasonably
call upon those whom have advisedly termed
| ''late leaders," / pronounce them such be-
cause they have retired from the arena when
their services are most needed and left US with
out standard bearer for our party. Let us
examine little into this inexplicable conduct,
not to search for palliative, for there is none,
but to exhibit it in its true aspect. It is sufi-
cient only to remember the conspicuous gallan-
| try displayed by these soldiers of the party for
some years past when nothing but an imagin-
ary enemy confronted them With banners
high uplifted, they passed from post to post
addressing their followers in tones of burning
eloquence, protesting devotion, offering them
selves as sacrifices, proclaiming their fidelity,
invoking immolation, clamoring for victory
and cheering them on, when 10 the undefend-
| ed citadel is captured and what do we behold Z
Why, our valiant leaders perched upon the
ramparts, the only gamers by the conflict
No longer ago than last year, when there was
no issue Of consequence before the people, they
and glowing words, jealous of our rights, soli-
citous for our welfare, fearful for our safety,
and anxious to die for our honor. In this
magnanimous spirit, they boldly stormed an
other unresisting castle to find themselves again
by the sufferance of their generous supporters,
| fho 70 of +ho 4
seems, when the way is clear, and the hand
has only to be extended to pluck the honors
and the profits, we are at no loss for champions
and defenders. But now that we are thrown
upon the defensive with a real enemy at the
gate assailing US with calumny and treacher-
ously plotting our overthrow, where are those
heroic leaders who have carried US so triumph
antly through those quixotic dangers which
their own ambition invested with such terms?
With sealed lips and silent tongues, they have
betaken themselves to their quiet retreats, to
listen, perhaps, to the throbbings of their own
hearts, which they have closed against those to
whom they are indebted for their elevation and
advancement, leaving them at the mercy of in
cendiary attacks and foul aspersions which it
is their duty to meet and refute.
And not public speakers and State and Ma
tional legislators alone are included in this
category. There ore others of great populari-
ty and influence holding positions Of respecta-
bility and profit, who, by little zeal and earn
estness, in return for the favors that have been
conferred upon them, no less than for their own
ro;rrh< ;r<o l..
rejecting friends sense of the duties of the
hour, and, perhaps, even. draw to our side
numbers from the ranks Of the opposition
No possible injury, at least, could accrue from
this course and the people have the right to
ask this service of those they have rewarded.
The main object to be achieved, at present, is
to arouse every voter to full conviction Of
the importance of the situation and to secure
his utmost aid in overcoming the difficulties
that surround and menace US. There are two
sure methods of accomplishing this-one pub
lie, the other private. The first is by calling
frequent meetings, extending general invita-
tions to all, without regard to color or party,
and the delivery of earnest, practical addresses
by those best qualified and willing to under
take the duty. The other embraces the efforts
of intelligent private individuals fully alive to
what is going on around them, who should
seek every opportunity of enlisting the ardor
of their less intelligent or enthusiastic friends
and explaining to them the necessity of harmo-
nious and united action. These promptly and
energetically enforced and pursued with unfag-
ging resolution, may finally result in the over
| throw of all well devised and self-assured
| schemes of our adversaries.
l therefore recommend their immediate adop-
ton, and, in the name of the people, call upon
the Democratic Executive Committee to pro-
| ceed, forthwith, towards the Inauguration of
the first mentioned movement. There is no
| time to be lost. To rest in stolid unconcern,
and gaze with vacant stare while the work of
undermining is busily going on, betokens a
spirit which nothing but the plea of insanity
can excuse. And the world has Justly decided
that those who thus ignobly surrender their
rights and privileges, fully deserve all the in
dignity and dishonor that may be heaped upon
| them. Let us not allow this bitter taunt to be
spoken against us, but let the warmth of a no
BILE and manly opposition dispel the cold tor
por within US, so that if we fail in maintaining
our cause we may not receive the chilling