The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1842-03-05

fore the House, from citizens of Cecil
county, through one Of their representa-
lives, Mr.. Forwood:
10 The Legislature Of Maryland:
The slgners of the accompanying re-
monslrance respectfully offer The follow
ing reasons for their dissent to the bill re-
ported by Mr.. Hammond, as therein men-
tloned, entitled, An Ac! for the better Sc,
cuflty OF negro slaves" SC.
LIST. Because it violates the rights OF
conscience in many persons who are de-
slrous OF llberating their slaves.
z. Because it tends to aggrandise the
shareholders Of Mary land, to the great de-
trimenI and disadvantage oI all persons
Obliged TO employ laborers. That by such
tendency 1t is unequal, and therefore UNI
just and lmpolltlc; and the same advanla-
yes may, with the same right, be claimed
oy the holders Of any other species OF
property.
81. Because we can never admit the
precedent OF depriving free man of his
liberty, without the commission OF crime.
4'h. Because, by preventing the father
from purchasing his children from sla-
very, /. takes away the highest motive OF
industry, destroys the finest feeling of the
heart and is unjust, oppressive, and .yran-
meal.
5lh. Because, like the code of Draco, it
proceeds upon the supposllion that the
lIghlest offences are worthy of the most
condlgn punishment; and it knows moth
ing more severe for the greatest crimes.
9TH. Because security not to commit
Is illegal, contrary to tie mild tenor OF
our enaclmenls heretofore, and such that
It's rigid enforcement must drive a great
body OF the free people of this state into
endless slavery; and exhibit scene OF
misery, sorrow, and wreIchedness, unpar.
alleled in the history OF man.
7.h Because it tends to establish in
our midst a race of spies and inlormers, Il
population thousand times more worth
less than that Of which it is proposed TO
rid us, who are totally unworthy of be-
lief, and yet whose purchased testimony
is 10 be received as sufficient to condemn
a free colored man to slavery.
Iacla evidence testimony which, in other
cases, would be unworthy ofserious relu-
latlnn.
We will not weary your honorable by
a further statement of reasons, many of
which could be given for each and every
section Of the bill, but earnestly remon-
slrale against It's enactment. And YOU
petitioners will ever pray; sc.
We cut the above from the Baltimore
Clipper. We saw the remonstrance,
which was accompanied by these several
reasons, and are sorry that we are not able
to give 1t to our readers, no copy OF it hay
ing been preserved in town.
Below is copy OF numerously sign
ed petltlon, sent from here to the senate
since the passage Of The bill by the House
Our readers will recollect that we spoke
somewhat harshly Of the scll-constiluled
convention, that dictated the substance OF
gislalure, for which we were censured by
some of our friends. These petitions
support the views we then expressed, and
show that the same opinions are enter
tanned here by many others.
TO TIE SENATE OF MARY
. LAND.
The undersigned Citizens of Cecil coun-
ty, do most earnestly enlreat against the
enactment OF the bill lately pas SGD by the
House OF Delegates entitled "An act loI
the better security Of Negro slaves in this
state. and for promoting industry, and
honesty, among the free people OF color,
INTO law of The stated Mary We
regard it as containing no sentiment OF
mercy, or humanity, except IN lis .llle, and
as cruel, oppressive and unjust. We are
opposed to II, and to all It's parts:
Because 1t establishes race of spies,
and inlulmers.
Because 1t pays premium for perjury
+ and maintains, and likes as evldeuce, the
testimony Of men, IN other cases unworthy
of relulallon.
Because it Furnishes as crimes, actions
which are, and always have been, consld-
cred harmless, and innocent.
Because il tends to make the DISPOSE
ton of men harsh, and severe, and to en-
adlcate the sentimen, of mercy from their
bosoms, by the familiar practlce OF cruel
~.
Because it takes away from our colored
population, the highest motives and i'll
cenliyes for honest and industrious exer-
lion, and leaves them no resource but
peculation and idleness; and finally:
Because we consider it an outrage up
pom humanity, and unjust and tyranical,
we do most respectfully petition against
it.