American Republican and Baltimore daily clipper. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1844-1846, 1845-04-02
amertcau Reptthltcaal,
AND BALTIMORE CLIPPER.
WEDNESDAY MORNING, APRIL ?, ls45


crossing one foot beyond Cumberland will be,
for the citizens of Baltimore to torcibly resist
the Stamp Act, Such proceeding would un-
qucstiona5ly PROSTATE the credit of the State,
and render the bonds held by the railroad COM
pany entirely unavailable; besides setting an
example which might lead to excuses now lit
tie dreamed Of 1t has been found very diff
cult 70 adopt means for the restoration of the
States credit, because all taxation is unpopu-
lar-and now, when we seem to- have fair
prospect of bringing State stock up to par, "a
measure Of vital Importance TO Baltimore,) we
have a crusade preached against one of the rev.
enue laws; and, if the advice so freely given be
adopted, we shall be plunged into irretrievable
disgrace. Our hopes will be blighted and Ma
ryland will stand dishonored in the eyes of the
world Is it for such result as this that Bal
tnoreanS have made such gigantic efforts, and
so layshly expended their money? Truly may
it be charged against them, that, after having
swallowed the canal they strain at gnat,-,
The sum proposed to be raised by the Stamp
Law is absolutely paltry and contemplate, in
comparison of the sacrifice which would be
made by resisting the law, and throwing State
affairs into confusion. John Smith, of John" W
takes a right view Of this subject, and makes
some excellent suggestions. If the continue
ton of the railroad 10 the Ohio, and enabling
it to compete successfully with the canal be
essential TO the prosperity oil Baltimore, then
the FIRST and greatest object with Baltimoreans
should be, to raise the State stock to par, which
can only be done by the levy Of sufficient taxes
10 pay the interest upon the public debt.
The extraordinary idea has been preached,
that Gov. Pratt III recommending the Stamp
Law, was actuated by hostility to Baltimore
We attribute his recommendation to more
patriotic motiye-to a sincere desire to see the
State eAtt'cated from her difficulties. A hue
and cry has been raised against him, and he is
threatened with the fate of Actean who was
pursued and destroyed by his own hounds, We
have no personal acquaintance with Governor
Pratt, nor have we ausht to solicit at his hands,
but we must resist the imputations which are
attempted TO be cast upon his motives, and give
him credit for his independent action in the
premises.
We ask an attentive pefusal of the oommu-
nication of "John Smith, of john" (Which
will be found in another column, as we are
persuaded that his reasoning must carry con-
yiction TO the minds of considerable and reflect
ing men.
In connexion with thus subject we shall brief
ly refer 10 the note Of our correspondent ''Ben
Franklin" who, we arc happy to learn, disa-
VOWS any design to recommend the forcible re-
sstance of the Stamp Act; and we think, that,
upon more mature consideration, he will feel
disposed to recall the measure which he pro-
poses as Il substitute-that is the non-use of
Stamps by those who give notes. lie deems
the law to be unconstitutional, and therefore
null and void. The courts are the only tribu-
mails to test this questions; but we doubt wheth-
er its unconstitutonalty will be pronounced
upon the ground assumed by our correspond !
ent, viz: that it violates the obligation Of con-
tracts. All contracts made after the passage
of the law must be made with reference TO the
law, and in accordance with its provisions. IT.
does not propose to invadate former contracts,
but to prescribe conditions upon which those
hereafter to be made shall be rendered valid in !
the courts Of the State X the legislature
possess not this power, It's authority is more
limited than we had supposed. We disapprove
Of the recommendation Of our correspondent,
as we consider it calculated to bring trouble
and cost upon those who may adopt it. If the
constitutionality Of the law is to be tested, let |
it be done by Il single case carried up to the
Court Of Appeals, as was the case in the tax
levied by the State upon the stocks of certain
banks Of this city.
He who has carefully looked into the ''signsI
of the times" will have discovered, that at no
period in the history of our country was there
a create, necessity for the practice Of modcra
ton and forbearancc and those who are rash
" urging disorganizing measures, should re-
member, that it is not every one who raises the
whrlwind, that can direct the storm. small
spark may kindle IA great fre-let no one then,
apply the spark, lest his own home be desolat-
ed. Whilst our State furnishes legal remedies
for the protection Of the aggrcvcd, let no oneI
presume to take the law in his own hands, We
believe that the citizens Of Baltimore are a law
misunderstanding people; and that they will not
take counsel of passion instead of reason upon
the present occasion.
STEAMBOAT LINE TO PHILADELPHIA. The
Baltimore and Philadelphia Steamboat Compa-
ny, chartered by an Act of the General Assem-
bly, of Maryland, passed Feb. 30, 1874, have
purchased the Ericsson line of Steamboats,, and
intend continuing them between this city and