Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1871-03-23


srs mentioned or enquired after. This.
we are sure, Is unintenfional. though we
believe We are. politically speaking at
least. not special favoritc>. But, rs We
did 50 handsomely last Fall. we are in
hopes for the future we may be excused
from being the scape-goat for every disap-
pointed politician. The cry of the Leon
ardto~n clique has served its purposes
well. and We hope for the las. time. often
having injured, nay defeated many good
cause. We have resided here several years,
and have yet to make the acquaintance of
one of that formidable organization-a
grand hoax, in our opinion.
In fact. our little village. Individually
speaking. has its share of force for good
or evils much so as any place for its
size in the county; but, collectively. we
are very weak. Priests. Preachers. Law
ycr, Editors, Hoscl-kecpcrs, &C.. all
coming from aud belongisg to some other
district except their own; all however,
excepting the clergy. looking out for them
selves and no one else. We are all we'll
and enjoying the bright sunshine of Spring,
excepting our ncighbors over the way in
the little granite building, who, though
they may go farther and fair worse. arc.
we hear. anxious to settle that little ac-
count you hold against them as the States
lawyer.
We hear there is some. if not consider
able, opposition, TO democratic Conven-
tion to nominate for this Falls election. -
Convention or no Convention, like all 9TH
er political questions. is a debatable one !;
bat the claims for each side present them
selves in greater or less force according
to the situation and necessities of the
times. That the system is far from per-
feet one, that there are grave and strong
objections against Conventions. and that
political honors are often conferred by them
at the expense of the party, and contrary
to the full and free expression of the peo-
pie of that party, VIC freely admit, but all
this is no argument against Conventions,
unless better and purer system is brought
forward One of the chief objects of
Convention is to present men and meas
ures. sustained by majority OF the par
ty, which the minority arc in honor bound
to support. An organization by it is thus
, effected, and We are better able to con-
tend with the enemy, and the fruits of our
success are sure TO be sound and perfect
On the other hand in free fight. where
several democrats offer for one aud the
same position. We will ask the question
by whom and by what Influences arc
the successful ones elected The =. =
swcr is plain-the Republican party-in
other words, they select our officers
democrats by name, but democrats most
acceptable to them, and least acceptable
to their own party. Counting last Falls
vote. We see the Republican party in this
county, not only have the balance of pow
er, but very stiff minority. and that re-
suit in the face Of strong efforts on the
part of the democratic party. Docs any
true and sound democrat wish this state
Of things? Is not defeat better And
in the end such will be the result. Can
any one vouch for or guarantee the quail
ity Of democrats thus elected, who feeling
under obligations to the enemy, will
begin in compromise and end in deser-
ton?
The democrats in the county have all
to lose, the enemy all to gain. and arc
sure to take advantage of every false step
We make. From the fusion of the wings
with the democrats to the present time,
giving the latter an overwhelming major
ity, Conventions were unnecessary, and
the people very properly so dccidcd,-
Prior to that time the necessity for Con-
ventions existed and the parties acted
upon them. Are there now less stronger
reasons for Convention than then 3? Sure
ly not. The success of either Of these old
parties did not in the least effect the body
polite, but the case is far different now.
Under no circumstances can We suffer de-
feat or consent 10 compromise Of princi-
pie. Once admit the necessity of party
organization, once admit the necessity of
preserving democratic doctrine, pure and
uncompromised, VIC mus: in scif-defence
decide in favor Of Convention. and
then whether it will be the full and free
expression of the party, rests with the pco-
pie, the interest they chose to take at the
previous meetings.
This county has reason TO be proud Of
its record made last Fall Whilst the
democratic party gained largely from the
ranks Of the enemy, We have yet TO learn
of one original democrat who stepped out
Of line. Mr.. Carey, with all his green
backs and cotton. could find no man in
our county so mean or poor IS to desert
US. This one fact makes st. Mary's still
the hammer county. More entitled to the
honor now than ever. With such evidence
should we not rather organize ard there