Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1880-10-28

ms DNih VI AhG AAOth r. HS
democratic party OF the United States. ="
says the address Of our State Central
Committee, expects that those who
profess lis faith IN Maryland, will. from
this hour, until The polls are closed on
the day Of the presidential election, de-
vote themselves TO the business OF the
canvass; and that they will see to il that
every democratic vote in their respec-
tive districts or precincts is cast on that
day. This bFiei sentence embodies ell
that there is Gin The law and the pro-
phets" and teaches the last remaining
duty which is devolved on democrats.
here or elsewhere, 10 perform. There
was time for argument, but that has
passed. The hour for action is upon
Us. Previous OUTLAWS Of reasoning and
eloqucnce will avail us little or nothing
il We shall be found wanting in this SUI
preme moment. Professions and promi-
ses are good enough things in sheir way.
but IL Is only the vote that is put in the
ballot-box which counts. The demo-
crat, then, who absenis himself from
the polls IN times as perilous as the pre-
sent, except for serious sickness or
home obligations which admit neither
denial nor postponemens, is recreant
and unworthy of after comradeship,
whether his party be defeated or vicio-
rious. When Clerks and Registers and
other local officers are to be selected,
our entire community Is seen in state
of widest fermentation. We have no
reproaches TO pronounce against the
popular excitement which is aroused on
such occasions. None. II is, indeed,
a matter Of serious moment to the peo-
pie that the different local positions
should be filed by competent and hon
est men. AL this is admitted. What
is gainsayed, however, ~, that il can
be wise or safe for the people TO ex-
haust their activity in contests for
county officers and carry only luke
warm and half-hearted interest TO
the determination Of national issue
such as is 10 be decided on Tuesday
next--an issue which puts in hazard the
very life of the Constitution, their own
and the liberties OF their children. We
have all become familiar with the charge
made against democrats that twas their
purpose TO put the negro back into bond
age upon their restoration TO power
This groundless and wicked accusation
has served The purpose Of the radical OF
fee hunter 10 the past and may serve il
for while longer in the future. tits
q question. however, Of time merely
that those who have arrayed the negro
against his natural friends and fattened
upon its outcome should be exposed 10
the retribution Of their dupes. This
will come in good lime. But 10 return
to the slavery business. II is not the
old chattel slavery that the negro has
now to fear. but slavery of different
kind and from q different quarter than
the one alleged. This threatens The
negro. however. neither more nor less
than il does large masses Of white men.
II Is the slavery which is The outgrowth
oi consolidation-it is the restriction OF
suffrage to the property classes as sug-
gested by Conkling in recent speech
lit Is The advent Of an oveFmasiering
money power under Garfield, should he
be elected, with the inevitable corolla-
~ Of military empire under Grant--in
brief. II is the shadow Of possible
Charonea And the imminency Of
this peril makes the present apathy Of
our people. as compared with their ac-
tsiy and feverlsh condition when
sheriff is n be elected. a matter Of gra-
vest wondeFment. We can only here
sound the cid note o. warning--''awakel
arse or be forever fallenw Work