Port Tobacco times, and Charles County advertiser. (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1845-1898, 1883-10-19
The Democratic Mass.Meeting.

Governor McLane did not arrive as expected
having gone home from Marlboro on the day
previous good deal indispoSed. There was
some disappointment expressed when this was
learned, and some of the boys wickedly suggest
ed that our gallant standard bear was coming
Hoadly on 'em;'' all were in good humor, how
ever and when it was learned that Hon. Chas.
B. Roberts and Gen. Bradley 7. Johnson were
here general satisfaction was expressed
The meeting organized by the election of
Richard H. Edelen, Esq, President, VIM. B.
Ferguson, Thomas D. Stone, Capt. Wan. F..
Dement, and Joseph B. Gardiner vice-Presidents
and Chas. F. Daley, Secretary. Gen. Bradley
T. Johnson was the first speaker. He addressed
the meeting for about an hour and a half IN IA
able and argumentative speech in which he
compared the principles of popular government
maintained by the Democratic party with that
of strong and paternal government advocated
by the Republicans, and showed how danger
GUS to the continued liberties of the people
was the policy of centralized government.
From this policy of paternal government to
govern and regulate the conduct and business
affairs of the people, Gen. johnson said flowed
allitbe oppressive doctrines of protective tariff,
subsidies to corporations az other invaslons
of the private rights of citizens. He said that
a centralized government would inevitably be-
come the instrument of the monied pow ers and
corporate wealth, while the Democratic doc
trine of a government of the people by the peo-
pie and for the people was the only means of
restraining the power of these dangerous classes.
Referring to our State campaigu-Gen. john
son said that while he bad not favored the
nomination of Mr. McLane that he was an hon.
est supporter of him now. He said it was OF
the highest Importance that the State govern
ment be not allowed TO pass into the control
of the Republicans. The Governor of the
State, he said, by virtue of powers conferred by
former Republican Legislature, was invested
with the appointment of all the registration
officers throughout the State and with the
practically gives him complete control OF the
election machinery OF the State. He could
have honest or fraudulent registrations and
elections as be saw fit. The speaker SAID that
he was ready TO give his personal guarantee
that Hon. r. NJ. McLane would not abuse but
would honestly administer those large powers
and be asked his audience il any one Was will
ling to say the same of Mr.. Holton Gen
johnson then referred to the various frauds and
improper manirulaions of conventions which
had been chriged upon Mr.. Holton by Col.
Diity and other prom iuent Republicans, and
which had not been refuted or even denied. Tie
wished to know if this was the MAN TO entrust
with those large powers. Gen. johnson con-
cluded by referring 10 our local resources and
the importance of developing them, aud SAID
that be felt confident that hen Mr.. McLaue
was placed AT The head of the State government
with Mr. Roberts 10 draw the laws for hun
that We should have some well dieesied laws
looking 10 the development of the resources OF
the State.
Attoinc, General Roberts MAS the next enc
to address the audience. He commenced by
saying that he ieit an unusual pleasure in ad
dressing ii Charles county audience because be
ship of number of our young men. He adj
monished his audience of the high duty ineum
bent upon the American citizen OF casting an
intelligent ballot, and said that the apathy and
indifference of some citizens indicated that they
did not fully realize that fact. lie referred 10
the fact that the convention which nominated
our State ticket had been admitted on all sides
10 have been one Of the most intelligent and
respsctable political bodies that bad ever as
semblsd in the State, and be scornfnliy repu-
dated the assertions made by Republicans that
the nominations there made Was the woik OF
any ring or cabal. He alluded 10 the brilliant
record and irreproaehable character of Mr.. Nc
Lane as public man and private citizen and
pointed out how absurd il is to say that such
"A man with such n record would become the
superserviceable creature OF q ring. For him
self he said that, if be believed that his nomi-
nation had been derived from any such source,
he would indignantly spurn and decline it
Mr.. Roberts then referred to the claims of the
Republican party TO further continue in power
and said that their only record upon which
they could commend themselves TO the people
was their part in the war of 90 years ago. He
read from statistical table showing the great
extravaganza of the Republicans when in pow er
in this State. Mr.. Roberts illustrated his
points by several happy anecdotes which oeca-
stoned much laughter and was attentvely lis
tened to throughout. This was his first APP
pearanc, before our people, and be made a
most favorable impression by his frank and
honest manners and solid intellectual attain
ments.
After the conclusion of Mr.. Roberts speech
DR.. VIM. H: Cole, OF Baltimore, was introduc-
ed and made few remarks. The meeting then
adjodrned.