The southern press. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1851-09-22

genera per u3ai, anu we uouVt nOt u'cct wAu
general approval
STATE DEPARTMENT.,
AnSAPoLis, September II, 1851
Editors If The Sun,
GENTLEMEN BY order of the governor,
transmit for publication the correspondence re-
Gently had between this Department and the
federal government The governor desires il TO
be published as it will tend to reassure the pub
lie mind that justice will be executed upon the
perpetrators Of III recent murders aud treason
10 Pennsylvania, and that measures will be
taken 10 prevent similar occurrences in the flu
ture. Respectfully, your obedieut servant
THos. ii. O'NEAL, Secretary of State.
STATE DEPARTMENT,
ANNApoLIs Nh, Sept. l5Sl85l.
His Erceliency the President Of The u. s.
Sir On my return to the excessive depart
ment of this State, to day, after temporary abb
sence, received ssmi-Ci6cial statements of the
recent outrage committed in the State of Penn
sylvania by a mob of outlaws, upon the persons
of citizens of Maryland, who were peaceably en-
gagged in the assertion of their rights under the
federal Constitution and the laws Of Congress.
Although have the most entire confidence in
the resolution of your excellency TO enforce the
laws Of the land at all hazards and to the fullest
extent, it nevertheless becomes my duty to ad-
dress YOU this communication Great as is the
crime committed, when considered solely in re-
ference to the individual victims themselves, its
enormity and danger can only be properly est
mated when viewed in connexion with the state
of the country
From the very beginning, Maryland has, with
one voice, sustained the compromise measures
No man has dared to raise the flag of disunon
within her borders. All parties have united in
defence of the Constitution. All classes Of our
citizens have renewed their vows Of fealty to the
institutions of their fathers Maryland has,
therefore, a moral weight with the South which
armies and naves cannot give. 1t would be
terrible, indeed, if she should, under any comb-
nation of circumstances, be driven to place her
self at the head ofthe column of secession. Hen
declaration of d,union would be fatal Where
would Virginia be? Where, in fact, every
Southern State? The result is too terrible for
contemplation. And yet, sir, we must look this
contingency right in the fee. Do not under
stand me rs intimating that such disaster is upon
us. Far from it, Heaven forfend it. But it is
necessary that should tell you that our people
are deeply and justly exaspera'ed tits proper
that you should be frankly insured that nothing
can, or will, or ought to satisfy them but the
most prompt, thorough, and severe retribntion
upon the perpetrators of the murderous treason
recently committed in Pennsylvania am re-
joico,. to be informed that those worthy and
patriotic Judges, Grier and Kane, have expressed
the opinion that the crime amounted to treason
against the federal government, cognizable,
therefore, by the federal courts, and punishable
under the federal laws. This gives me conf
dence that Justice will be done, speedily and
fully. Our peor le will wait with all reasonable
patience and confidence to see the issue. Their
faith in the po,oer of the federal government,
as well as in ts good intentions, will necessa-
rily be governed by the result.
Nor is this all. Ifpasson and prejudice should
control the verdict of Pennsylvania juries in the
trial of this issue, ] trembe for the Union. One
thing is very clear, and it is this, that Maryland
would not remain one day in the confederacy,
if finally assured either that the powers of the
federal government were inadequate or that the
public opinion Of the non-slaveholdiDg States
was adverse to the protection of the rights,
liberties and lives Of her citizens. If the Union
is to be merely Il union of minority slaves to
majority tyrants, then, indeed, our government
has failed in the end of its creation, and the
sooner it is dissolved the better This, | assure
YOU, sir, is the sentiment of the patriotic South,
the conservative South, the Union loving South,
am not obtruding upon your excelency my
views and opinions ! am plainly unfolding the
views and sentiments Of people with whom
am well acquainted. 1t is important that
should do so-it is necessary that | should do
So fear the latent causes OF dissolution more
than those which have heretofore agitated the
surface of the waters. fear that the North
does not believe in the possibility of dsunion.
Fatal Incredibly If they could only be made
TO believe it possible, it would then indeed be
impossible. But their disbelief renders it even
pro bable Believing it to be afar off, and even
receding, they act in manner which will pre-
cipitate the crisis, surely it will be to them
unexpectedly. do not know Of single Incl
dent that has occu red since the passage Of The
compromise measures which tends more tc
weaken the bonds of Union, and arouse dark
thoughts in the minds of men, than this late
tragedy. Nor will its influence and effects b.
limited within the narrow borders of our State
They will penetrate the soul of the South
They will sile ce the confident promises of the
Union men, and give force to the appeals Of tn,
Secessionists. They will enter into the agita
tons of the next Congress, and weaken the
public hope everywhere. For all these evil.
there is but single corrective, and that is, tb,
| most complete indication of the law, and th,
fullest retribution upon the criminals
| had intended to prepare and forward to you
excelency a statement of the facts of the case
1 made out from the communications sent to thii
department but find from this mornings pa
pers, Just received that the officers of the fed
eral government have already been engaged il
making the proper investigations upon the spot
the result of which has been, or will be, place,
before you. | hope that your excellency vii
regard this letter as by no means indicating an,
lack of confidence in TIE federal authorities OF
my part, but as a proper and necessary exposi
ton of the views entertained by the citizens o
this State (for which | feel justified in vouch
ing) in regard to the character of this otrociou
occurrence, ms well a. the general attitude of tn
country in ponnexIon Herewith. If, under an,
circumstances, your excellency should deem
advisable to require my official services in an,
way connected with the pending inquiries, It vii
give me great pleasure to place my time atyou
, disposal.
7 Have the honor to be, very rcspec fully, you
excellencys obedient servant,
Il. LOUIS LOWE.
D