The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-03-06
His Honor, the Mayor of the City, Elijah stansbury
VICE PREsIpENTs

James Wilson, OF VIM. Hugh Bolton,
Col. j. G.. Davies, VIM. Bose,
Thos. Wilson, Gen. A. Miltenberger.
John Ii. Morris, Hugh Jenkins,
Benz. Deford, r. H. Hazlehurst,
Henry Snyder, Col. II. 8. Sanderson,
Hugh Birckhead, Andrew Flanngain
DR.. J. J. Graves, Col. John Pickell,
David Stuart, J. Maybury Turner,
Gen John Spear Smith, DR.. Stephen Collins,
Samuel Barnes, Mark Grafton,
Richard Marley, Christian Keener,
Wm. H. Collins, Geo. Earnest, jr.,
Col. VIM. H. Cole, jr., Jacob I. Cohen,
John q. Proud, VIM. Geo. Krebs,
A. s. Abel, Capt. Richard Lilly.
VIM. II. Hack, VIM. A. Boyd,
John II. b. Latrobe, John Kittewell,
G.. b. Wilson, Geo. A. Davis.
Charles +. Mayer,
SECRETARIES
Il. Yates Walsh, VIM A. Page
Chas M Gwinn, VIM. Prescott Smith,
DIR. John l.. Yeates DIR. +. j. Chaisty,
Orville Horwitz, Morrison Harris.
The organization of the meeting having been
completed, the president briefly stated the object
for which it had been called, and then introduced
the Hon. William Fell Giles, who addressed the
meeting to the following effect
My FELLOW couNTRYMEN have never before
felt more overwhelmed with the responsibility of
any position in which have been placed than the
one now occupy tonight; and in view Of the
deep interest and the importance Of the subjects
which here assembled to discuss, / would
implore that Being whom all acknowledge as
Supreme to iluIne whatever in me is dark, and
raise whatever in me is lowly. Seventeen years
ago the people of Baltimore assembled at the Ex-
change to swear their allegiance to the
Union, and to give their support to that old hero,
jackson, who, when the discomfort of some had
threatened to sever from this confederacy one of
the States, had proclaimed in the words that
now spread before us" The Union must and shall
be preserved" These words had been caught up
and re- echoed from the granite hills Of New Hamp-
shire to the EXTREMIST South and from all parts
came back the strongest ratification Of their spirit
We have met here tonight to say to all parts Of
the country that, whatever may be your griev-
ances, whatever may be your wrongs, you have
remedies under our glorious Constitution-that
when you speak Of disunion you strike at US, at
our homes, at our families. and ut all that is dear
and sacred TO Va. We have not met to call harsh
names, but have come together TO deliberate
freemen, in spirit OF Cancellation TO pour oil, if
possible, on the troubled waters-but at the same
time to give in our adhesion to the Union under all
circumstances. Maryland could speak calmly
this subject. Occupying midway position, she
could sympathize both with the North and the
South her sons had shed their blood equally at
Cowpens and Eutaw, at Gerna ntown and at Bran
DIVINE. mir. G. then read extracts from the
farewell messages Of Washington and Jackson, in
which the dangers of disunion were set forth and
the speaker eloqucntly exhorted his countrymen to
listen to them the words of the mighty dead.l
The Union, he continued, belonged TO us-to the
people of the whole country; and portion of the
people had right to endeavor to destroy that
which belonged to the whole. Since 1882, when
the memorable words Of jackson had beed uttered,
four stars-Michigan, Wisconsin, Iowa, and the
hone star of Texas-had been added TO the azure
field Of our countrys glory and palsied be the arm
the glorious coniederacy. The position which Ma
ryland would occupy as border State, in the event
OF the dissolution OF the Union, worthy Of con-
sideration-likc Flanders and Belgium in the long
contest. in Europe, she would be the battle ground
on which the contendng factions would meet TO
settle at the point of the sword their differences.
But the citizens of Baltimore would say 10 all,
both North and South, who felt aggreved that there
is remedy for their grievances under the Constitu
ton Of the country. IL laws were passed which
unconstitutional, the Constitution had given
appeal 10 the Supreme Court for redress; and
have yet to learn Of where il had refused 10
pronounce law unconstitutional when convinced
that it was But If this failed, an appeal could
be made at the next election 10 the candor, TO the
honesty and TO the sympathy Of the people, and
with good cause this could not fail.
We in Maryland have had OUR grievances TO COM
plain of-grievances received from those 10 the
north Of MS and VIC have appealed to the courts Of
law and TO the candor and sympathy Of the people
A turning point in this matter has arrived, and
believe the North has the in her conduct
towards the South, and will be willing TO meet in
spirit OF cancellation and compromise. But if the
North and the South cannot settle the question of
slavery in spirit Of fair and honorable compro-
mise. then say leave il alone. Non intervention
would be my doctrine. Leave the question unagi-
tated till the territories had applied for admission
the subject.
Mr. GILEs concluded by moving the adoption of
the following preamble and resolutions, the reading
Of which was interrupted by repeated cheers from
the mceting
The people Of Baltimore have witnessed, with
profoundly anxious concern, the excitement which
has grown up on the public questions recently
brought into debate in Congress. The chief source
Of that concern s, that in the evaporation Of this
excitement partizans either side have threatened
the dissolution of the Union Of these States unless
their respective views be adopted by Congress and
incorporated in legislation. And time has arrived
when men speculate upon the value Of the Union,
and even statesmen speak Of disunion possible in
certain contingencies. Lest. therefore, further
silence on our part, under thcse circumstances,
might be construed either into indifference the
subject or a want Of attachment 10 the Union,
Now, therefore, we, the citizens Of Baltimore, in
town meeting assembled, do hereby proclaim 10
our common country our unalterablc attachment
10 the Union OF the States; that regard il the
palladium Of our political safety aad prosperity, and
That, in obedience 10 the parting message Of Wash
ington, eve will watch for its preservation with
jealous anxiety" that we will discountensnce what
ever may suggest even a suspicion that II can in
any event be abandoned. and that we will frown
upon syery a',emI, 70 ALLEVIATE any portion Of our
which now link NJ together ne ono people.
Resoi-sd. That cherish profound vcperation
for the Union the inestimabc legacy Of our rev
olutionary fathers, by whose wisdom and patriot
ism u was formed; and that whatever grievances
s'nonc that would justify dsunion, and none that
disunion would make better"
Resolved, That the questions pertaining 10 the
control, regulation, and disposal Of slavery cihin
ks MATES. cminently belong only 70 the States
themselves. That all interference with these func
tions either 10y the Federal Government or by the
Stairs acting beyond their Jurisdictions, has the
effect b. weaken the bonds Of the Union, both
unconstitutional, and offensive exercise OF
power
Resolved. That the aggressive Legislation Of some
of thu northern States in relation 10 the recapture
~ fugitive slaves, aud their dcnunciation Of in
stitution with which they have no right Of inter
ference. have produced a spirit Of alienation which
should and would DC removed by faithful observ-
ance Of the principles Of the Original Compact; and
that " I'm view 81 such possible infrsctions OF
the Constitution that the Father Of his Country
orcbocd sectional divisions, and warned his coun-
trymen against them.
Rssorsd. That In the disposal Of questions of sla-
very kepond rifhouf me limits Of any STATE, what
ever may h. the constitutional power Of the Federal
Government. that power should only be exercised
n harmony with the various interests Of the coun-
try. and In n manner. far possible, calculated
20 concste all parties and 10 preserve at the same
time the original compromises Of the Constitution.
Resolved. That more eficctusl provision ought 10
t.sI as.H1 nlts a