Port Tobacco times, and Charles County advertiser. (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1845-1898, 1874-10-02

The Radical Candidate.

Inc IrLnce Ge0}Y1GHt Oh ItSI "cch SNoo
its readers a sketch of the political life OF
Hon. Alexander B. Hagner, the nominee
of the late Convention which met at the
Annapolis Junction. Mr.. Hagner is
clever lawyer, "but as a political shifter,"
Says our contemporary ''he has richly mer-
tied the honor, if such it can be called,
with which the Republican party has
blessed him" The Prince Georgian con-
tinues
AS a politician, Mr.. Hagner has never
had any fixed principles, and as his chief
ambition in life seems to have been to Sc
cure political office and honors, has dis
played but little Judgment in selecting the
winning side. When he first entered the
political arena, the Wing party was strong
in the State, and Of course he connected
himself with that party, but unfortunately
for him it passed out Of existence before
Mr.. HaGners object could be attained
Then came the Know Nothing party, and,
with renewed hope of political success,
Mr.. Hagner quickly enlisted in its ranks
In the fall of 1859 he was selected as the
candidate of that party for Congress in
this District, and entered upon his famous
campaign against Col. Hughes, the Demo
cratic nominee, in which he was most in
gloriously defeated. His personal pluck
could not save him from y severe political
chaStsement, and Col. Hughes, old and
feeble as he was in years and health but
strong political principles and integrity,
gained over his young antagonist an easy
victory. Then came the war and with it
the so-called Union party. Here was a
dilemma that batiled al! the political saga
city Mr.. Hagner could command.
\ strong dilemma in n desperate case.
To at with uIlalny or quit the place
Mr.. Hagner had been born and nurturcd
in Il Southern cline, his principles and
predictions were all Southern, the aSso-
Citations OF his youth and manhood We're
all Southern, he was STAKEHOLDER. and all
he possessed was in the South. What 10
do or where Ia 90 he could not determine
OF the Democratic party he could expect
nothing. His political ambition drew him
one way, his interest and sympathics an
othcr-so, like the mule between two stacks
of hay, he stood still until he had we'll nigh
starved. The war ends and with it bayo-
net rule in Maryland. The Democratic
party once more resumes its wontcd
strength and power in the State, and soon
we find him marching under its banner.
But that party, always slow to grant iavors
unless deserved, and being blessed with an
abundance Of both merit and talent. had
no honors TO bcstow upon political wea-
thcrcoCks. and Mr.. Hagncr was therefore
compelled to lead a lite of political mac
tiyity and ohscurity. Then comes negro
suffrage and with il another and last hope
for Mr.. Iagner, and to-day we find him.
contrary to every principle Of his nature.
espousing the cause of party whose plat
form is negro supremacy in the South, negro
equality in Maryland, and Radical misrule
in the country.
Such is brief sketch of the man whom
the Republican party has chosen as its
standard-bearer in the coming contest
Such the political character of him who
represents to-day the negro party in the
Fifth Congressional district. Col. Hughes
his former victor, is enorcybutin south
ern Maryland the Spirit of Democracy
yet services. To the kind care OF DR..
Henklc We warmly commend him until the
Bird day Of November next. on which day
the white men Of Prince Georges will give
him call and pay him their respects.