Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1872-07-25
ADVICE TO DEMOCRATS.

At the ratification meeting in Harris
bnrg. William A Wallace took occasion
To define the duty of Democrats in the
present crisis. lie was one Of those who
did mt vote for Mr. Greeley in the Penn
sylvaHia delegation. and his words will
have weight with all who hold similar
views. Mr.. Wallace spoke as follows:
Among the political revolutions of the
past fifty years no more significant or sim
gn!ar spectacle has been presented than
that which eliminated at Baltimore in the
nomination Of Greeley and Brown. for the
offices of President aud Vice President by
Democratic National Contention, with
MI the solcmni,y and in perfect accord ance
with the rules and usages Of the orranizs-
tion. True it is that we have in onr own
days seen n British Premier bow his head
20 the fiat Of progressive public opinion,
aud deliberately reverse his position upon
grave questions of State policy. but he
lad upon him the robes and obligations Of
official station. and was bound TO aid in
chrys'aliziug into law the will of the peo-
pie whose scrvan. he is That a great po-
li'ical organization, whose highest boast
has heretofore been that Of devotion to
principle, whose membership has been
cohcred and strengthened by that very
devotion. and which with calm delibcra-
ti"n, accepted obloquy aud scorn. re-
rr"ach. and contumcl y during a blondy
civil war rather than surrender or Weld
single syllable Of the opinions that were
based upon the doctrines Of the Cuns,itu,
tnn and the plain principles of free gov
ernment. should by its chosen representa-
tves. with unexampled unanimity, place
the standard of their faith and their or
ganization in the hands Of one who during
all those years was ever foremost in their
denuncia,ion and who by his present an
iagonism to the cardinal tenet. Of tha,
faith had won for himself among the mas
one who sOugh. to destroy and not to heal
may well lie said to he singular specta
Gle. or the reason for this result il is m ,
purpose to speak. aud whilst in my rlact
as Senatorial delegate. representing 81,
Democracy Of the State. did what
could III honor to resist the tide. and vo-
ted with the twenty three men from Penn.
sylvania whc composed the minority Of the
delegation and voted against Mr.. Gree.
ley, yet can appreciate the arguments
that were so potential in accomplishing tn,
end. More than two-thirds Of the Con.
vention. and a majority of your own del.
egafion having liz solemn form yielded thci,
t,,
sion would have been but far,ious. and in
obedience To the instructions Of your dele.
CATION. which had so honorcd mc-au
avowcd anti-Greeley man-as to place me
Mt it's head. | accepted the result. singular
as 10 was. and moved an1 voted TO make
10 unanimous. What has produced this
most marvellous change? What potent infiu-
ences or unsnswerable argument, achieved
>" momcntous purpose Why has the
Democracy passed by their own men o,
intellect. Of culture aud OF statesnlanship
and chosen one who has been an alien to
their views. their thoughts and their pur.
pnses? The periods Of peace that imme.
diately follow times Of great social com.
motion or Of internecine war. have invari.
ably been those during which the .lihsrtic.
Of free people are in jeopardy. TAxi,y
Of morals, familiarity with bloodshed. hab.
its Of luxury aud the subordination of civ.
il 70 military power. breed neglect of lega
and constitutional restraints. and thai
which before war would have been 8
crime rneriting deposition or punishment,
passes after itss bu, venal ofFcnse or 8
tridng irsegularity. aud the man in Official
station. who is bodies, in desp;sius its le.
gal aud moral obligations, is he who re.
ceives the highest plaudits Of vitiated
sed debauched public sentiment. Tosuch
condition has this, our unhappy coan.
try. come.
need not stop to point you to these
evils-you know aud see them; you hear
them criticised. condemned. or eoudoncd
in every hous Of jour waking moments
No sane man denies their existence non,
can justify or excuse them. They s,rik,
as the very vitals Of the political aud so
cial fabric. They sap the foundation o
,frse government. and dnos arrested wil
dcstroy our institutions sad sacrisce on
liberties. To put an end 10 these and I,
restore TO the repablic period Of pasi,,
Of Official mesals. Of strict obedience /,
ce6cisl obligations. Of relief from oppres
sive taxation, aud from unnecessary pro
scription. vss klsc desire Of al within ou
9 orgsnAsaicU and many taousands wishcu
.its pale. The unina of these fofces f.
d. the asaiAaent Of these ends. all cnscedc<
10 Be su,inen''y g. and proper. Taas Iii