American Republican and Baltimore daily clipper. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1844-1846, 1845-04-08
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der a republican system of government, there
should be found men Of intelligence who will
openly advocate resistance to the laws Of the
land. 1t exhibits a lamcntable want of discre-
ton, patriotism and foresight; for il must be
evident to those who are not governed by pas
sion, that, if the principle be once admitted, it
cannot be checked when those who desire to
have one law only ovorthrown, shall have been
gyatlIiod. If the right to resist exist at all, it
exists in extenso, and all laws may be set at de-
tiance. 1t is revolutionary remedy for sup
posed or actual grievances; and if resort to it be
justified whenever any particular class OF indl-
plduals may suppose that legislation bears par
ticulary hard upon them, there will be an end
of all regular government. And this is pre-
csely the condition to which we shall be reduc-
ed, should the advocates of resistance succeed
in their efforts to invaidate the law of the last
session commonly called the Stamp Act. We
all profess to have a great desire to see the Gre
dit of the State restored; but some of US are
very willing that the burthen shall be shifted
from our own to other peoples shoulders
Now, the law be somewhat partial in It's opera
tlon, there ought to DO patriotic endurance for
the sake of the great object in view. The Ii
cense law is also partial, embracing one class
and excluding others, and might be resisted
with as much show of reason as the act in ques-
ton But about that law there is no cutlery;
and yet, if the Stamp Act be resisted in any
other than constitutional mode, the license
and other laws will hardly be sustained. We
are opposed to all violations of law in every
shape and form; for, if the supremacy of law be
once Welded, anarchy and confusion must en-
sue. The constitution has provided remedy
for all grievances, and he who would take the
remedy in his own hands is disorganizer and
4 bad citizen, whatever may be his station in
society. Law and order must be maintained;
and we believe, will be maintained at all ha-
yards; let what may be the consequence. Bal
timore has stood foremost in condemning the
infamous doctrine Of reputation, and will not
quietly permit it to be practised by any class of
her citizens. An appeal to the Courts of the
State lies open to any one who desires to test
the constitutionality of the Stamp Act. 1t it
be thought ineXpedient to make this appeal, re-
course may be had TO the next Legislature,
which will doubtless repeal the law. We are
not the advocates Of the act, but we are a.
mongst the most determined opponents of rash
resistance, as we firmly believe, that it would
blast the prosperity of Baltimore and the State
l., no hat If fall IN
re-establish the States credit with the present
revenue bills that the failure must be total. or
least for many years to come! And who pos
sesses so poor spirt-so little OF the selt-sacr-
icing feeling which governed our foreiathcrs,
as to see the State sunk into disgrace if thereby
a few dollars may be saved to his own pocket
We hear much of the trade Of Baltimore; but
can that trade be enlarged or maintained with
an insolv cnt State? 1t is not to be credited
Baltimore is identified with the State and must
rise or sink with her fortunes. Let the State
bonds be brought to par, and all difficulties will
soon disappear, and our city will advance with
rapid strides in prosperity. This is the great,
the glorious object which every Marylander,
and more particularly every citizens of Balti-
more, should have in view-and no temporary
sacrifice should weigh feather against its at
tainment. Let US, then, hear no more of repu
dation or resistance of law-but let us all sub
init to the legal enactments of our State, until
the period arrives to procure through the ballot
boxes-a more equal distribution Of the bur-
:hens of taxation.