1876 Delaware Gazette Samuel Townsend "Poor White Democratic Voters" Broadside

Description

Tirade against the perceived disenfranchisement of the "poor white Democratic voter" in Delaware. Townsend rails against a proposed system to elect candidates for the Legislature and Levy Court by delegates, as opposed to an open election by individual ballot. He writes:
"It is a damning insult to poor white Democratic voters to be opposed in this underhand manner by men who seek to lead the Democratic party for their selfish interests....The white Republicans allow the Negroes in their party to help nominate by an equal vote by ballot, and we, the white Democrats, who claim to be the descendants of Jefferson and Jackson, debar and refuse even- handed political rights and justice to the white Democratic masses."
Samuel Townsend (1812-1881) was a vigorous and interesting force in Delaware politics. "In this respect historians have portrayed him original, aggressive, and public spirited, as well as a 'cross for some Democrats to bear.' Samuel was outspoken and opinionated, submitting frequent editorials to Delaware newspapers and publishing political broadsides. He attended numerous state Democratic conventions and was a delegate to the national conventions in 1848 and 1852. In 1860, he was a key player in the controversy surrounding Delaware's delegation to the national convention in Charleston and Baltimore. Throughout the Civil War he was an avid supporter of the Union cause, but did not advocate the emancipation of slaves. During Reconstruction, Samuel helped found Delaware's White Man's Party, which fought to have the fourteenth and fifteenth amendments repealed. Samuel Townsend remained active in politics and business until shortly before his death on 5 December 1881.
Rare piece of Delaware political history.  6 3/4" x 9".