The Baltimore County union. [volume] (Towsontown, Md.) 1865-1909, 1871-10-21
Election, November 18th, 1871.
n 9DTo the People of Baltimore County.


Under caption of "TEE PEOPLES MASS
MEErING,' the Baltimore County Union of
this days date contains report, of which the
following is an extract: =
son motion of Robt. S. Smith, the commit
tee appointed at the meeting at Chew's Hall to
wait upon individuals to see who would be
willing to serve upon the ticket was authorized
to co operate with the committee appointed to
recommend a ticket. VIM. +. Weller stated
that he wished the convention to nominate
gentleman tor the position of State Senator be-
fore the com mittee retired, one who was known
to the people of the county, who had nSsyer held
an office and never sought one. He referred to
the Hon. VIM. P. Preston. The nomination
was unanimously made by the convention, and
the following resolution passed:
"Resolced, That recognizing in the Hon. VIM
P. Preston those qualifications which peculiar
ly fit him to represent the people of Baltimore
county in the Maryland State Senate at this
time, when we require in that body recognized
ability and business talentot the firstorder, he be
declared the unanimous choice of this meeting
of the people as their candidate for State Sena
tor.
"The committee then retired"
| desire to state that the committee referred
to never called upon me, nor have |, up to the
present time, any official notice of the action
of the meeting.
The "Union," however, contains full ticket
as adopted by the meeting, naming candidates
for the House of Delegates, Judge of the Circuit
Court, Sheriff, States Attorney, Treasurer, Judg
es of the Orphans Court, and my name at the
head OF it as senatorial candidate.
| must admit that the resolution introduces
me to the meeting and the notice of the public,
in a very kind manner, and l fear with more
praise than ! am really entitled to. | also &C
knowledge that among the numerous gentle
men named as candidates are several in every
way worthy and fully capable of filling the Of
fees for which they are designated but not
withstanding all this, feel it to Be my duty
to decline the prcffered honor. 1t is we'll
known to every member of this community
that throughout my whole life have been
most earnestly devoted to the principles of de-
mocracy as expouuded and exempli6ed by JEFF
ferson, Jackson and Pierce.
1t is TRUE that have occasionally denounced
the primary meeting tfickery which at times
has disgraced even the democratic party, and,
if occasion required it, would do so again; but
those who suppose that, because condemn
the contemplate contrvances of political
-pullers, am less in love with the sacred
principles they pervert and dishonor, make a
very great mistake. My political worship ever
has been and ever shall be at the democratic
altar. l regard it as a shrine sanctifed by the
sres of the revolution, and the only ark ofsate-
ty for our common country.
Entertaining these views, and having avow-
ed them by voice and pen for almost forty
years. it will readily be perceived that cannot
consent to be placed in an attitude which might
be misunderstood or construed into giving my
countenance to principles utterly at war with
my conscience and my judgment.
Baltimore county, 14th Oct. 1871. It,