Text in three columns beginning: "The public will see that the following communication was sent to the Gazette and held over a week, when Mr. Reynolds informed me, Mr. Johnson told him he would publish it last Friday, but I suppose the ring tyrants came down on C. P. Johnson and forbid him. White freemen arouse, your liberties are in danger!"

The text, intended for publication in the Gazette, then continues in three columns, and consists of a "rant" by Townsend concerning what he perceives as unfair election processes which seem to disfavor white Democrats.

Townsend writes: "The white Republicans allow the Negroes in their party the full free right 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." 

Townsend's complaints are rooted in racism, he writes: "Will you, Democratic friends allow our party to be beat by the niggers?" [sic]  He notes that he plans to take his message "on the stump... if I feel well and the weather is not too hot..."

Samuel Townsend (1812-1881) businessman and prominent Delaware Democrat. He was a delegate to the 1848 and 1852 Democratic National Conventions. During Reconstruction, Townsend helped found the Delaware White Man's Party, which fought to repeal the 14^th and 15^th Amendments.