Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1873-07-25
To the Democratic-Conservative Party
of Montgomery County,

GFNTLEMES,-
again address you and present myself as a
candidate for nomination for the next Senate
tora term from this county. In doing so, !
ask no more, hope, than my past political
Eservices warrant, and your kindness be willing
to give; and here, with the expression of this
hope, would gladly leave the matter, and say
no more, did not the circumstances of misrep-
resentation which have accompanied my ca
reer, require slight reference TO the past.
The conditions under winch | once served
the Democratic party half Term in the SEN
ate, were peculiarly difficult and embarrass-
ing. In consequence of Radical tyranny, in
augurated at Washington, the seats of Demo-
cratic members were held subject TO the will Of
the dominant party. Senators being nnseated
and others substituted, regardless Of the voice
of the people, that majority in that body
might be secured 10 prevent any legislation
favorable TO the down-trodden people Of Mary
land. Two courses were then open to me-
either fierce, incorporating opposition to the
ruling party Oh every political question, or,
on the other hand, while holding fast to prin-
! ciples, 10 make the best Of a badsituation, and
by yielding on minor points, secure conces-
sions which might lead 10 the delivery of our
people and State from tyranny. The first
course would have been most popular with
many, but it would have afforded the Radicals
excuse for oppression; the second fnight'cause
me to be misrepnesentcd in my party, as in
deed it did, but would be promotive of lasting
good 70 the people at large. Between these
alternatives | could not hesitate. Trusting
then, as noU, to the good sense and justice Of
my constituents, l chose the latter course
voted for the bradford Indemnity Bill'' and
obtained in return a material modification Of
the infamous Registry law. Thus ! secured
freedom Of suffrage for many of Montgomery
and Maryland, which secured to us the State
and the Constitution of 1867.
Was it, therefore, wrong or impolitic that
did so vote Iappeal to all, and to those Of
you, especially, who were disfranchised and
compelled to stand idle and witness the prog
ress of wholesale spoliation and wrong, to an
swer that question.
am aware that in asserting all this make
strong claim; one, trust that may, in this
my last appeal, challenge your approval. To
prove that it is not groundess claim, I refer
to the letters and declarations OF gentlemen
eminent among you AS politicians, and who
were cognizant Of all the circumstances, among
others TO the published letters Of Judge BoUIc
and the Hon. JAMES T. EARLE, Senator from
Queen Annes. Both of these gentlemen bear
The most positive testimony 10 the accuracy OF
my statement.
When a man solcits nomination it is al
ways assumed that he is induced 10 do so by
some personal motive. Such motive con-
fess, actuates income which it is neither dis
honorable for me to entertain, nor for my for
mer constituents to crafty. BY failure to re-
cognize and endorse my past political action,
| | seem to be placed under the imputation Of
having been unfaithfu to the trust committed
| to me. Under such an mputation | am not
| willing to rest nor do wish 10 think that my
party, in this my native county, desire 10 cast
such reproach upon the political record of
one who, for A years, has battled with them
| for the right, to the best of his knowledge and
ability, and especially in darker hour, for the
great right eftraachise-the paramount ques-
ton in the then anxious struggle for lost inhc-
rent rights.
But however gratifying this nomination
would be to me under the circumstances,
would not ask it, gentlemen, did not fully
believe it would be entirely acceptable to the
nrst, - artx Tho pr.p o;,Nlan rr
which have been all my life devoted.
Very Respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
THOMAS LANSDALE.
July 23d, 1873.