The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1891-10-03
Are They the Party Nominees


ately after the meeting of the Demo
Gratis in unity convention al Elkton
on TuesdIy the rinth day of June
ISoI,-what it has more than once re
| ferred To during the course OF the
pend ng campaign,-what ought to be
perfectly apparent, to any one who
is not purblind through obstinacy,
through prejudice half blind, or through
ignorance stone bIi d,-the WIG pu--
poses now to make SO clear, that the
wayfaring man, ough fool, need no;
err therein.
We mean II affirm, and more than
that TO demonstrate, that the irregu-
larity-to call the unpr cedented pro-
cedure by no harsher name-ln the
Eighth elect on district under the call
for local primaries, and in the results
of which the popular expression of
preference tor candidates on the Demo-
cratic ticket in the Sixth and Seventh
districts was also inextricably involved
-robs the Democratic county con-
vention OF any and every claim to be
considered a party council, and re-
leves the individual voters of the
Democratic party IN Cecil county, of
any obligation, to abide by its act. or
edIcts.
We assert, without fear or apprehen-
sion OF successful contradiction, that
tile bottom facts IN that indIScreet
transaction, rob the candidates chosen
through and under it, of any possible
claim 10 recognition beyond 0ohat Per-
sonal preference may accord them,
and a6S0lze tile iUdl1Idual Democratic
0otey from any ShadoW of party
allegiance.
We declare with the boldness born
of honest convict on, that Mr.. ames
T. Graham, and MIR. Austin L. Croth-
ers, are no more the party nominees of
the Democratic convention in regular
| council assembled, than are Mr.. VIM.
S. Evans or Mr.. Hester Hess, Mr..
William P. Howard, or Mr.. William X.
Reckefus not even more are they the
regular nominees OF the Democratic
party of Cecil county for the posi- ions
Of Clerk of the Circuit Court and
States Attorney, thin are Mr.. William
J. Smith and Mr.. Robert c. Thackery
the nominees of that party.
He only is party candidate who
has put his claims for nomination be-
fore party convention regularly con-
stituted and regularly assembled, and
has received the voluntary and unin-
| auenced endorsement of such a con-
vention.
Will any one attempt to galnsay this
posltlon2
Hardly we think.
Did Mr.. James +. Graham or Mr..
Austin L Crothers receive their party's
endorsement in any such way7
Let US see.
A convention of the Democratic
party OF Cecil county was duly called
by the regularly constituted committees,
to meet in Elkton on the ninth day of
June last, to nominate candidates TO be
voted for at the election to be held on
the third day OF November next for
various offices, among which and most
| prominent. were those OF Clerk Of the
| Circuit Court and States Attorney.
The convention was ordered to be
composed of five delegates from each
| election district T+eV were to be
chosen by ballot. Judges of election
and clerks were appointed, anG the
polls ordered TO be Kept open from two
O'Clock p. M, until seven O'Clock p. m.
Every precaution commensurate with
the circumstances and the notorious
rivalries of ambitious competitors for
party preferment, was duly taken to
prevent unscrupulous advantage at the
primaries.
The contest was one of the most
exciting and bitter ever known.
In most of the districts the full party
strength was polled, and in some dis
trlcts the poll was larger than was ever
known to be cast by the Democrats at
a general election. Notably was this
true in the Third district, where the
rivalries of contending factions at
tracted larger vote than was ever
polled by the Democrats at a general
election, and vote far in excess of any
the party can hope to poll during the
passing century.
Party managers had added their
might to aid local candidates in their
battle for supremacy.
The preliminary canvass had been
so thorough and tireless, that the result
IN many districts was known with
approximate certainty before the polls
were opened.
In few however, the smoke had to
clear away before the result of the
carnage could be known.
! The report of "killed, wounded and
missing" was necessary to determine,
who was entitled to hold the field.
The Sixth, Seventh and Eighth dis
trlcts were the special ground of this
uncertainty.
In these districts, the adherents of
Messrs. Graham on the one side, and
| Crothers on the other, were drawn up
in battle array, and the cry of "no
quarter" had passed along the lines.
Nothing seemed more certain than
that one or the other must go down in
the hopelessness of defeat.
The probabilities pointed to the un-