Columbus Democrat. [volume] (Columbus, Miss.) 18??-18??, 1850-01-26
MARYLAND.

Gov Thomas, 10 his message, Just communi-
Gated to the Legislature Of Maryland, holds
the following language upon the slavery cues.
ton:
"ResohMions Of the Legislatures otthe Stale.
of Virginia, South Carolina. Florida, Missouri,
New Hampshire aud Vermont, in relation to the
subject of slavery in the territories Of the L. s.,
are herewith transmitted, and will be found to
present the true issues between the Northern and
Southern sections OF The Union upon that danger.
Gus aud threatening question, in manner that
ca mot fail to commend itselfto your most thought.
fll consderalon,and to elicit solemn declaration
of the policy which Maryland will feel bound to
adopt should choice Of alternatives be precipi.
tated upon her. The dark and balefnl spirit Of
abolitionism, which has hitherto contributed so
taarfuly to ALLEVIATE the affections OF the people Of
these States, to disturb the harmony, and TO en-.
danger the petmanence of the Union is still pro.
crossing in lis mad career, unmndtul of the com.
promises which alone impaired vitality to the
Constitution. and regardless alike Of the adnlon.
tons Of patriotism, the dictates Of justice and the
equal and undpniable rights Of all the members
of this conledrracy. Concealing its lust tor pc.
Utica power under the specicus garb Of an en-.
lareed philanthropy, while uXurating upon the
labor of the slave il wages unceaslng and re-
lenless warfare against the rights OF his master.
What was once considered and treated as an
impotpn faction Of wicked or dcluded fanatics,
from he very impunty which cautious orbear'
ance too often affords, has now assumed the char
acer of formidable sectional organisation, re.
sofed, unless the signs Of the times are strange
Is deceptive not only to appropriate 10 s oNn
exclusive use the common property OF the United
States, but by lorcibly deprving the Southern
States of all participation in its enjoyment, to
disgrace and degrade them from an equal rank
with he other States Of the Union,
The constitution of the United States recog
nises. without limitation. the institution of do
nestle slavery, guarantees It's existence aud
yindicates the right OF the owner 10 the posses
sion and service Of the slave and il cannot be
doubted that if the power, now claimed to be
exercised By Congress, to prohibit the emgra,
ton Of the people uf the slavehoIdng States,
4 with their property aud effects OF all kind', to
/ any territory owned by the United States, had
! been asserted at the time when the constitution
WAS submitted for ratification to the States, that
| instrument would not have bern adopted. nor
could the Union have ever been lorrned. Ii he
union of the States can only hp preserved by IN
unconditional surrender of clear constitutional
rights secured to lis members, if The federal
government, instead Of a system Of liberty, e.
quality and law, il to bp perverted into an engine
Of force, oppression nd fraud thcn, indeed, has
the day arrived, when the South, at least must
pause, in sorrow and anguish, to calculate is
value. The crisis, though impending is not Yet
come, aud the evil hour of dsunon so much to
be deprecated, may, il is devoutedy TO be hoped,
Ire forever ayertcd intervention Is all the
South bas ever asked, and, however reasonable
the request, it has been more than once. cUldIy,
If not Indignantly refused.
The time Tor feasGh and argument seems to
have gone by, and the perpetuily Of This mighty
republic, with all the countless blessings which
it is capable of inparng must now rest upon
the frn, united temperate, but determined action
of the Southern States and to this end It Is be.
Iievrd to be the duty Of the representatives Of
} the people Of Maryland to reflect the sentiments
of their constituents by the solemn declaration.
in advance, Of the unalterahle determination OF
this State, in the even, of the passage by Con.
gress of the "Wimot Proviso," or any sim.
liar scheme, to mike common cause with the
South and to resist To the end the execution OF
measure go palpably yio!ative Of her rights and
so pregnant with injustice, disgrace and degra-
datiOp."