The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1842-11-19
From the Baltimore American.

Repudtdt0n.-l he address delivered be-
fore the Agricultural Association of Bal
tmore County, a short time since by J.
II. B LATRoBE, Esq. has been published
IN the "American Farmer" In alludmg
to the agricultural class aseminently CON-
servallve in its character, and as deriving
IN It's turn many advantages from repub-
lican institutions, Mr.. LATHRoBE adver
ted 10 the doctrine of reputation when
some even in Maryland have venlured,
with or without shame, to avow. We
subjoin the remarks of the speaker on this
subject. The sentiments expressed in
them are entertained throughout the State
BY all good citizens.
We may take occasion here to notice,
since we are upon The subject, that the
eloquent letter Of J. J. SPEED Esq. in re-
ference 10 Reputation. has been copied in
to the principal London Journals. 1t is
justly regarded as indicative Of the sound
state of public sentiment on that pou: in
Maryland.
Reputation itself is not a thing to be
argued about. 1t cannot rise to the dig
nifty If a debalcable question. No one
need attempt TO prove that swindling is
dishonest. The attempt to do SO wGu'd
imply an insult To the hearers Of such all
argument. and nigh, indicate want of
moral perez ,tion or of common sense on
the part of the arguer. All that is ncces-
sary is 10 set forth the true nature ol the
subject that it may be fully understood.
Tins is well done in the annexed extract
from Mr.. LATHocE's address:
lake ii for granlad, Mr.. President, that
the object Of these remarks is already UNI
derstood, and that the duties which we
arc called upon to perform, and TO which
lmore particularly allude, are those grow
ing out Of the assertion in our country OF
tie modern doctrine Of repudiarion,--lha,
new light IN political morals which shews
man that the nation Of which he is part
may do that which an individual couno,
dp--bc dishonest without reproach; that
money may be borrowed on false rreten-
ces BY people without punishment, al
though for the offence in all individual. a
home in the PeElenlary has been provi.
ded. reier 10 This subject hero, Sir, be.
cause find The pporluni,y before lha,
class whose influence in our country is
fully equal to the debt they owe to it, and
whom have ever recognized as the con-
scrvaories Of political power.
When we incur debt in all ordinary
transaction, 1t is u point of honour to dis
charge it. II we buy farm we abour
day and night that we may pay for it. In
all our dealings "value received" consl-
tues eremptory obligations; and even
where the consideration is wanting, pride.
no less than law, gives value to our sigma
ture. This is our individual experience.
Is lhere any difference III principle between
our country's debts and our own; such
debts as have been conslnutionally incur
red, and such as now rest upon MARYLAND.
These debts which, we, the people, owe,
are not the debts to friend, not The price
OF an acre of land, but debts due for wha,
IL Tar more valuable than friend or farm
for our good name-tor our reputation
before that great tribunal of the worlds
opinion that is fast becoming the arhiter
between nation and nation, and whose
DEGREES, based on the imnulabIc princi-
Piles OF justice, are forever reversible.
No matter who are our creditors. If
they arc our countrymen, VIC are inuring
those who are dear TO us when we nc
elect our duty If they are strangers. we
defraud those who trusted to our honor.
That we can discharge all our obligations,
and regain for Maryland the reputation,
too high perhaps, for it has made her the
debtor that she Is, that she once enjoyed,
no one can hesitate to believe who will
take the least pains TO enquire into her
means and resources. Where there has
existed the will to be honest, the way was
never wanting: and though we may all
be Inconvenience for season in per-
forming the duties that now rest on us,
get the lesson we shall have learned, the
reputation that we shall have regained,
wll! far more than compensate us.
Dir. President, | cannot hesitate as to
~ha. the feeling and acts of the people OF
Maryland will be on this Subject. Here
and there, some may be found to finch a,
the trial, though | trust it will be but rora
moment. Let all remember, that, VIXEN
our fathers fought at Cowpons, there was
not falterer in thu ranks as the steady
line Of the brave, under the lending Of he
no, drove the enemy before it: and let there
be no more confusion among us now,
when we stand tc our ground for honesty,
than there was among our fathers at the
time when Howard charged home for
honour.
ktEsE1Ss