Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1873-10-02
TO THE REPUBLICAN, PARTY OF
ST. MARY'S.

AS some OF my good friends have chosen to
characterize my course during this can
vass as being impolitic and have charged
me with various combinations, all tending
to the disruption and breaking down of
the republican party. l take this as the
most certain aud speedy mode Of putting
an end to such rumors. or in other words
I propose to show to the people generally
bew aud where stand and why ! came
to be where l am 1t was only after long
continued and urgent solicitations b; :.
large number ofwarm personal and political
friends that I consented to become can
didate for Clerkship Of the County Court.
and then only with the understanding that
when the republican party came together.
and BY fair expression Of its wishes de-
cided against me. would take my place
in the ranks aud do all that l could to
secure the success Of my more fortunate
competitor. who ever it might be. l felt
satisfied at that time. and so did my friends.
tina. there would be an impartial party
convention. Later became fully salts
fed of the fact. rs at the FIRST large repub-
lican meeting held at Beals school house
in the Factory district on Easter Monday.
the question was debated or discussed by
Capt. A. A. Lawrence. Mr.. J. b. Davis
and others. and if I am not mistaken de.
cided in favor Of primary meetings and
convention without one single negative
vote. Acting upon the action Of that
meeting. wen; to work in good faith
canvassing for the endorsement. believing
the party too true to its own interests and
leaders. too sagacious to 60 against what
seemed to me at that time the almost unan-
imous sentiment Of the party. In con-
versa;ion with one Of my opponents, Mr..
Camalier, | said to him, mir. Camalier,
our canvass is merely a temporary one.
We are both sighting for the endorsement,
of the party. If when the party comes
together you are their choice, you will
End no man in the county who will strive
more earnestly for your success than l
will" Now. right here let me say. that
when l made this proposition it was done
in good faith, believing that he. like my
self. was more anxious to secure success
to the party with which he profcssed to
fra,ernize than his own individual success
Now. then. need say that was some
wha. more than surprised at his reply.
and after making the above statement to
him of what my course would be, said
to him. .'Of course, Camalier. If the par
ty endorse Mr.. Watts, (who was then a
candida,e) myself or any other gentle
man. you will abide BY the action Of the
party and support whoever they may place
on the ticket = His answer was, "No,
sir. l viii not abide BY the action ofany
party. IL the republican party endorse
me viii make square sgh, for sae ticket;
IL they do not, am n candidate for the
Clerkship any way, and win make the bes.
tight l eau"
Now IL would seem to me that His course vas
mo-e calculated 20 breed dizeord than nine.
tie virtually says, If the republicans want me,
they must ray rny price, and yet am the ell
esnent Of dixcord. The fact Is, there Is bat one
Of two views that reasonable man can take.
One il, that NJ that time Mr.. Watts was q can
didafe, . gentiemaa whose claims upon the
party were 50 greatly superior 20 either Of ours,
that there Is bat little dcset had he stced out,
q eonsentica would have swarsaed him the nom
inatien, and he (Nr. Camalierl was afraid 10
sabuii his fate 10 the test, bat, ike Wilkins
Micaweer, held an in the vague hoPe that some