American Republican and Baltimore daily clipper. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1844-1846, 1846-03-14
MILITARY ADDRESS.


the Citizens Of Baltimore
1t is scarcely necessary for the undersign-
in view of the result Of their deliberation
final determination in Convention assem-
!, to advert to the ever to be lamented
SEES which called for the military organiza-
in this city, and kept it in existence for the
1t ten years. The disastrous events of Au-
It, 1885, can never be forgotten by the cit
Is Of Baltimore.
is we'll known to you that, to the absence
proper organization of the militia, alone is
be attributed the devastating results, pros
ton of all law, and destruction of life and
bperty which at that unfortunate period oc-
fred in our city.
Under the impulse which inspired our citi-
rs at the exhibition of such deplorable re-
& its large bodies of military were organized,
in their ranks were to be found the gray
rs of aged citizens enrolled with the ardent
uths of our community, all actuated by the
st holy and patriotic determination to up
ID the laws under which it is our privilege
live.
At the next ensuing session of our legisla
e, in compliance withSthe earnest prayer of
citizens, the most astringent laws were
sed by that body, some features of which
Ire SO severe in their bearing, that it was
lnG impractcable by the Commanding Gen,
procure competent officers to enable him to
I've said laws carried into effect.
AS the lapse of time obliterated from the
lblc mind the memory of the events which
lied for this organization, the ranks of the
lunteer corps indicated gradual diminution
the force SO necessary for the efficient pro-
ction of our city.
Subsequent events threatening, at several
RODS, outrage and destruction to life and
oRerty, again made it necessary for the civil
lthorities to call to their aid the volunteer
mpanies, with the acknowledgment of the
ability of the civil posse to maintain the peace
the community.
4 Such occurrences with the more recent and
Much lamented scenes in sister city, served
elevate the character ofthe militia organi-
tion and kept it from disbanding.
But experience clearly demonstrated the ne
pssity of some additional action, by which
ere could be, at any time, at the call Of the
vii authorities, an adequate military reserve
it'll arms AND proper military stores to ensure
cir efficiency.
The undersigned, holding the position they
as officers of the State, and being, in their
pinion, the proper medium through which the
condition of the military resources of the city
lould be made known to its inhabitants, felt
mpelled by sense of duty to devise some
Ian by which the desired end might be attain
q lin way least obnoxious to our citizens.
| This convention met III the City Hall of
Baltimore and prepared bill to be presented
the General Assembly of Maryland for
heir action.
I The several sections of this bill were tho
oughly discussed in convention, in presence of
krge numbers Of our citizens; it was also sub
litted to many persons Of experience in our
ommunity and pronounced the best project
yor the organization of the ununformed militia
II this district ever framed. Its important
Patures were published in some of the news
apers of Baltimore and received their unqua
fled approval.
After being thus perfected, it was forwarded
b Annapolis and placed in the hands of the
Military committee of the House of Dele
ates, to be by them reported to the Housein
he form of law for the action of the Legis-
lture. Up to this time not one single objec-
on had been openly made to the bill by any
itzen of Baltimore.
! AT this stage, the bill was arrested in its pro-
ress by the Baltimore delegation, who volun-
arily took it from the hands of the military
committee, without its ever having been pre-
ented to either house of the Assembly, cour-
esv which is accorded TO all petitions when
pouched in respectful language; and to the
great astonishment of the undersigned from
What had previously transpired, the bill was
branded by said delegation in card to the
i,eople, published in the several papers, being
Ia ostensible report upon measure which had
|aever been referred to them-1Ce here repeat,
kwas branded by this delegation as measure of
10 odious and Objectionable character as to
Require smething more than military conUen-
I lion to recommend it to their support.
The delegation being the only proper chan
| nel through which the wishes Of the citizens of
Baltimore could be made known at Annapolis,
hnd the bill having received their unqualified
with the stigma thus attached
Ito it, and consequently to the acts of the mill
|tary convention, but one course was LETT to that
|conventon by which their dignity could be
maintained and their duty to their fellow cltl-
zens discharged.
To retain their present positions, holding
military commissions without the requisite
number of men (and the number gradually
diminishing) to meet possible contingency
which might happen at any time and at an UNI
expected moment, would be to keep up delu-
sion which might prove fatal to the lives ana
property of our fellow-citizens.
Under these circumstances, we have thought
it right and proper to apprise the citizens oil
Baltimore of the reasons which have lntiuenc'
ed us in our final determination to resign our
commissions, thereby severing our connection
with the militia service.
We waited patiently under the first feeling
created by this summary disposition of our me-
mortal, in hopes that reflection would prompt
a reconsideration of the action had, or thai
those Immediately jnterested-the citizens o