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

time, appeared yesterday IN an enlarged ana
decidedly attractive form. It deserves sue
cess.
The Democratic primary elections are held
to-day to nominate candidates for the City
Council. WEGa.
COMMUNICATIVE.
Ar. Eaito, With your kind indulgence I
propose to address few words Of serious inn
port to the people and late leaders Of conserva-
tive political sentiment among Us.
The most careless and obtuse cannot fail to
perceive that our public affairs have at last
reached crisis, upon the turning point of
which ultimately rest, not only our financial
prosperity, but our social rights, ireside privi-
leges and personal dignity. Timely action,
earnest, energetic and manly, may preserve
them, while contrary course, one of cold in
difference, hesitation and vacillation, must in
evitably result in the overthrow of all we should
most highly prize. including our very birth
rights.
This being undeniably the case, why, in the
name of every principle that should animate
and nerve men in the cause of interest, honor,
and self-respect, do we find our people sitting
idly and supinely down, wrapped in a shame
full lethargy, while the posts of exclusion and
degradation are being hastily prepared for
them. 1t will not be denied that our oppo-
nents are far in advance Of us in zeal and en-
ergy, striving by every art and device to secure
the victory in the approaching election as well
as in all subsequent contests. Their orators, or
rather orator, and drill masters are exercising a
sleepless vigilance and ceaseless activity, and
by false representations and incendiary appeals,
are filling the minds of the newly made voters
with dark suspicious and unkind feelings to-
wards their late owners and real friends, and
binding them in ballot-box slavery more de-
grading than that from which they have just
emerged for theirs is the bondage of those free
and noble faculties, the mind and the consci-
ence. Their Immediate design is the election
of their candidate TO Congress, result most
fervently to be deprecated, the defeat of which
demands our most strenuous efforts; for every
Democrat returned hot only takes one from the
party of prescription and pillage, but adds one
to that constitutional, law-abiding band who
are struggling for the there-inauguration of better
things. But, Notwithstanding the great i'm
portance Of the present controversy, to us of
this unfortunate section, their success would
have deeper significance. In securing it, they
will effect strong and compact party organi-
cation which no subsequent exertions of ours,
however ably or skilfully directed, may be able
to break or disorganize. Then what must fol-
low7 Like well appointed and well trained
army, they will be prepared to enter upon new
campaigns with an augmented assurance of
success. Under such circumstances what have
we to lose? This is question that should go
straight to the heart of every white man and
woman in our midst, and fire them with indig-
effort within their power and influence to pre-
vent the consummation of the deplorable evils
contained in the answer. The reply is plain
and obvious. We should lose every Office in
the gift of the people and be robbed of the in
contestible right of managing our own con-
Germs. fancy can see sardonic smile settle
upon the sinister countenance of our seditious
adversaries, and hear them mutter the hack
neyed phrases about loaves and fishes. But,
without going farther, let US say to them that
it would not be the loss of Office, or its honors,
or emoluments, we should deplore, but their
possession by the base, abandoned or illiterate
characters that would obtain them, and the in
justice that would be meted out to us at their
hands. 1t is this and the preservation of our
natural right of ascendency, and the Unborn
privilege of directing our own affairs, that
should encourage US in the adoption of every
fair and honorable means to save our public
places of trust and responsibility from the con-
taminating touch and sordid grasp of those
who would prostitute and pollute them.
If our people would exercise the slightest
reason and reflection, and take but limited
view of what awaits them in this supposed
event, they would surely open their eyes to the
horrid prospect and shake off the dull sloth
that seems to paralyze and enchain them. Let
them for moment reflect who may possibly
be their next Sheriff in all the pride and impu-
dence of ignorance and savage dignity, serving
negro-scented writs of executions upon them.
Let them picture to themselves what manner of
Clerk or Register they may have. Above all,
let them view in Imagination their next Board
of Tax Commissioners, the most important
Office in their gift, upon which depends in a
large measure their material prosperity, and if
they do not blush at the degradation, their
pockets surely will vince at the prospect.
Viewing the subject in this light, it must be
manifest to the most callous and short-sighted
how imperatively necessary it is for them to be
up and doing if they would not suffer humilia-
ton which must sting their pride of manhood
to the very quick. The congressional issue
now before us is the rallying point. Now is
the time to organize and prepare for the COM
ing struggle which is to decide whether the in
ternal affairs of our county are to be retained
in the hands of respectable, capable, honest
men or transferred to the keeping of ignorance,
rapacity and injustice. The force Of the blow