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


Of the public meeting held in Leonard
town on the 18th inst. and Of the recent
publications in the county paper, re-
hecting upon The School Board and upon
INV acts a. Examiner, il is well that
some plain statement shosld 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.
Twill at the outstart say that I do not
propose TO enter into any controversy,
that no personal feeling prompts me 10
address The public. aud 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
persistently condemned and misrepre-
scented by any one, or by any class Of
persons, no matter from what prompt
leg or under what leading. proper res
pets totue Community ~ large may re-
quire explanation and disclaimer.
The great importance ofmatters bear
ing on education, and the interest all
mnst take in the same, render the pre-
sent an occasion when opportunity
should be afforded the people ofjudging
the acts Of their servants, in the light
Of their own statements. ] propose
then, as servant of the people, and in
behalf of the Board, to address myself
70 the intelligence and candid judgment
Of those whom il 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
eIamor 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 OFthe views
Of tone Of The largest meetings assem-
bled Tor many years" j am unwilling
20 assume that The Editors would wit
tingly 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-
w large one-there was also not lit
de excitement. The large assemblage
was due, however, tothe day ixedupon,
the LIST 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, rs published, all must know
would moi have been so responded TO.
was not present al the meeting un-
Gil 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 unPrejudiced person
will admit that II was confined to very
few-mainly the personal friends oftwo
or three persons who thought themselves
aggrieved il 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 utierances Of those who have ae-
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 10 their views OF the grievances
complsined 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 utierances
l 6nd--charges still--something more
specific, II Il true, but charges still and
nothing more-not one single word of
proof. ! will endeavor, however, TO
sin out the charges, aud wiz show The
utter shallowness ofthe foundation upon
which has been erected 50 monstrous
. structure oil misrepresentation.