Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1878-10-03
TO THE PUBLIC.

In view of the reported proceedings
of the public meeting held in Leonard
town on the 18th inst. and ofthe recent
publications in The county paper, re-
fiecting upon The School Board and upon
my acts as Examiner, it is well that
some plain statement should be made,
setting forth certain facts, which pas
zion and prejudice have singularly mis-
represented as also TO expose the ground
lessness Of the charges lately brought
and so freely circulated against the
Board.
will at the outstart say that ! do not
propose TO enter into any controversy,
that no personal feeling prompts me to
address the public. and that mere per-
sonal attacks, as they do not merit, so
they will not receive notice at my
hands.
The official acts Of public officers are
open to criticism, and when these are
pcrsistently condemned and misrepre-
scented by any one, or by any class Of
persons, no matter from what prompt
ing or under what leading, proper res
pect TO the community at large may re-
quire explanation and disclaimer.
The great importance of matters bear
ing on education, and the interest all
must take in the same, render the pre-
sent an occasion when opportunity
should be afforded the people ofiudging
the acts of their servants, in the light
Of their own statements. ! propose
then, as a servant Of the people, and in
behalf Of the Board, 10 address myself
to the intelligence and candid judgment
of those whom II is our pride to serve,
trusting fully that the rendition of the
impartial verdict Of all true supporters
Of education, will place the seal of con-
demnation upon the utterly groundless
clamor that has been raised upon this
question. FIRST then as regards the
meeting of Tuesday, 18th inst. The
editorial notice would lead one unac-
quainted with the facts. to look upon the
resolutions as an expression Of the views
Of Zone Of the largest meetings assem-
bled for many years" am unwilling
10 assume that the Editors would wit
iingly give an unfair coloring to their
reports Of public proceedings, however
their own feelings might incline, and so
must presume that they were misIn-
formed or did not weigh the force Of
their comments.
The assemblage in the Court House,
on the day IN question, was undoubted-
" large one-there was also not lit
tie excitement. The large assemblage
was due, however, to the day fixed upon,
the 1st Tuesday of Court, and TO the tact
that il had been selected for the OPEN
ing of the Congressional campaign. The
mere call for a meeting on the school
question, as published, all must know
would not have been so responded to.
was not present at the meeting I'M
oil late hour, but from the statements
made to me by many of those who were
there, am convinced, and have no hes
itation in asserting that the resolutions.
were not the act of the meeting, the
larger portion Of those present taking no
part whatever in the proceedings, re-
garding themselves as mere lockers on.
There was, too. some excitement, but |
am sure that any unprejudicrd person
will admit that IL was confined TO a very
few-maInly the personal friends Oftwo
or three persons no thought themselves
aggrieved in the recent examinations.
Now, as to the preamble and resolu-
tions and the charges therein contained.
These are so general in their terms and
character that am compelled 10 resort
20 the utterances Of those who have &C
ted as spokesman in this matter TO find
something in the nature Of specific al
legations. Those who have led in the
agitation and have given public express
sion to their views of the grievances
complained of. may fairly be presumed
10 be the authorized opponents OF those
who claim that they or their friends
have been aggrieved, or the educational
interests of the county improperly cared
for.
Referring. then, TO these utterances
I 6nd-charges still-something more
pecific, it is true, but charges still and
nothing more-not one single word of
proof. will endeavor, however, to
sin out the charges, and will show the
utter shallowness ofthe foundation upon
which has been erected so monstrous
n structure OF misrepresentation.