The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1875-10-23
MR.. WALLIS ADDRESS
TO THE VOTERS OF MARYLAND.

tices of the Democratic Ring" used the
following language:
sin such state of facts what is the
remedy for the evil? 1t is childish to seek
it in the spontaneous reformation of
Ring, which must die its political death
in the very act of reforming. Nor can re-
lief come from protest, denunciation lam
entation and acquiescence. These have
been tried, ad nausean,, for years, and have
only made things worse. 1t cannot be found
in the election of ticket placed before the
people by the very combinations with which
erer personally honorable, can escape the
pledges, the compromises, the associations,
the influences without which their nominal
ton could not and would not have been
made. That corrupt Ring deliberately
forms and dominates ticket, intrigues for
it, forces its nomination and press its cleo
ton without expecting to make something
by its success, is too absurd to think Of
unless, indeed, the people are pastoral
enough to believe that the Ring has abdi-
Gated its sceptre in fit of virtue, and lain
down to sinless Dreams
In saying this, honestly supposed that
in SO far as it touched the Democratic can
didates for State offices, it simply announced
a conclusion abundantly verified and illus
trated by the whole history of politicians
and parties. l certainly desired and in
{an 70 Ind nd T hoe
cluded, all possible suspicion of a purpose
on my part to assail the personal integrity
of the gentlemen in question. If the words
italicised above were not used and intended
to have that effect, am at loss to con-
ceive for what purpose it can be imagined
they were introduced. Indeed, used them
from abundant caution, because | was anx-
ious to avoid all avoidable personalities, not
as matter of propriety and taste only, but
also of good feeling, for my relations with
Messrs. Carroll and Gwinn were kindly,
and we had many valued friends in COM
mon. Had Mr.. Woolford stood alone, l
am free to say that should not have quail
fed my language. Under these circum-
stances it will be easy to understand my
establishment and Indignation at receiving
through the mail the following letter from
Mr.. Carroll:
DoUGHoRAoAN MANOR,
September, Both, 1875. !
S. T. WALLIS, Esq:
Sir-In your letter of acceptance as can
date for Attorney General, you have seen fit
to say, "that under the combinations of the
late convention, no candidates could escape
the pledges, the compromises and influences
without which their nomination could not,
and would not been effected" look upon
this statement as directly assailing my in
tegrity and honor, and the fact that its per-
sonal application is attempted to be con-
cealed by innuendo," does not lessen the
gravity of the assertion.
l therefore feel that have right to call
upon, and expect you as a gentlemen, to
verify in public this base assertion against
my personal character; or to stand con-
victed before the community as slanderer
who refuses to repair the wanton injury he
has attempted.
remain your obedient servant,
(Signed) JOHN LEE CARROLL.
Mr.. Carroll was undoubtedly entitled to
sistent with his own self-respect to address
me in such language. But gentleman of
his associations and position could hardly
have helped knowing, if he had reflected,
that the very act of using it destroyed his
right to expect any explanation whatever,
and rendered it impossible for him to re-
ceive one from any man socially and per-
sonally his equal who knows how to respect
himself. l accordingly mailed to him the
following reply:
[Copy.l
BREEyooRT HOUSE, New YORK
October list, 1875.
JOHN LEE CARROLL, Esq:
iSir:-Your letter of September 30th has
Just reached me by this mornings mail.
Until you shall see fit to make suitable
apology for the grossness of the language
which you have so far forgotten the COM
monest proprieties among gentlemen as to
use in it, you will be pleased to consider
this the only personal notice which l think
it deserves. Your obedient servant,
(Signed) S. T. WALLIS.
To this have received no response, and
see by the newspapers that instead of tax
ing the course which 1 think that right
minded gentlemen would generally have
adopted to ascertain whether had meant
to reflect upon his honor, Mr.. Carroll has
felt it consistent with his sense of propriety
to assail me upon the hastings in the same
style of scurrility which he adopted in his
letter. While, therefore, l feel that he has
lost all personal claim to any explanation
from me, l feel it due at the same time to
the public not to permit myself to be mis-
represented or misunderstood in a matter
which is of public concern. 1t is not my
fault if, in publishing the foregoing CORE
spondence as part of the controversy, l am
compelled to give the people foretaste of
the amenities which may be expected to
dignity the Executive Mansion in the event
of the election of the "Centennial Cover
nor"
In his speeches at Annapolis and Tow
sontown, which l have read in the reports
most favorable to him, Mr.. Carroll has gone
beyond the passage of my letter of accept,
ance which is copied above, in order to sup
port his clamor that have "vilified and
sandered - him.
l do not propose, therefore, to confine
myself to that passage in what l am about
to say. Indeed, only care to note il
that connection that Mr.. Carroll, singularly
enough, has omitted from the sentence
which he processes to quote the very word.
italicised above, which point it's meaning
and demonstrate the groundlessness of hi
complaint. l ought, perhaps, further t.
say that, inasmuch as he charges me in tn,
same connection with an attempt to &c con
ceal" my meaning by "innuendo '-a1
attempt which in the commonly received
meaning of these words would be a some
what singular one-I shall feel bound il
what follows to use my utmost endeavor t.
be plain.
First, then, did mean to say, and nov
repeat, that Mr.. Carroll was nominated 70
the Governorship of the State by the influ
ence and efforts of the combination of Dem
ocratic politicians and office holders, past