Columbus Democrat. [volume] (Columbus, Miss.) 18??-18??, 1851-10-04
STATS DEPARTMENT,

Annapolis, (Md,,) Sept Is, 1881.
S.a: Ga INV 'eIurn to the executive depart.
ment Of this Stae to-day. after temporary alb
sence, received mi-oaicill statements of The
recent outrage committed in the State of Penn
sYlyana by a mob Of outlaws upon the person:
OF citiEens Of dlryand 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 yoir eXcetlency to enforce the laws
Of the land at al hazards, and to the fullest ex.
tent it nevertheless becomts my daty to address
you this communication. Great as is the crime
committed when cons d'red solely in reference
TO the indiyidua victims themselves, lis enormity
aud danger can ony be properly estimated when
viewed N connIon with the present state Of
the country
From he very beginning Maryland has, with
one voice, su'tlied he com ron.e measures
No man b4- dard 10 raise the fl z OF dlsuuion
within h-r borders. vi parties have united IN
defence Of the constitution. All classes of our
citizens have renewed their vows OF faIty to the
| Institutions Of heir fathers. Mar, land has,
! therefore, a m9nl weight with the South which
armie, aud navits cannot give. l. would be ter
/ rlble, indeed. if be should, under any combin :
ton Of Circumstances, be driven to place herself
al the head oil lie column Of secession Her
declaration Of dBuaion would be fatal. Where
would Virginia be Where, in fact, every
southern State 7 The result is too terrible iOf
contemplation. A0d yet, sir, We must Iook This
contingency right in the face. Do nOl UNDER
stand ne ne nnating that such disaster is upon
us, Far from il. Heaven tolltnd 1t Bat 1t ia
necessary that | should tell you that our people
are deeply and Justly exaspetaied. 1t is proper
that you should be frankly assured that nothing
can, or will, or ought to satisfy them but the
most prompt, thorough. and severe rerlbutlon
upon the perpetrators Of The murderous treason
recently committed in PennsI Ivania. am ~
jaiced to be informed that those worthy and pa
triotic 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
dcnce that justice will be done, speedily and fully.
Our people will wait with oil reasonable patience
and confidence to see the issue. Their faith in
the power of the federal government, as well as
in is go d intentions, will necessarily be gov
erned Ivy the result.
Nor is this all Ifpassion and prejudice should
control the verdict of Pennsylvania luries in the
trial Of this issue, remble for the Union. One
thing is very clear; and it is this : that Mary
land would not remain one dry Ia the contedera
CT if finally assured either thai the powers OF the
federal governme nj were inadequate, or that the
public opinion Of the non slavehodng States
was adverse to the protection Of the tights, BIB
critics, and lives Of her citizens II the Union
is to lie merely a union Of minority OF slaves TO
a majority of y ans, hen, indeed, our government
has failed in the eud OF its creation, and the
sooner ii is dissolved the better. This, | assure
You, sir, il the sentiment Of the patriotic South,
the conservative South, the Uni0nl0ring South
am not obrudng upon your excelIency my
views and opinions. ] am plainly unfolding the
view. and sentiments Of people with whom am
well acquainted. 1t s important that | should
do so--lt is necessary that | should do so. fear
the latent causes Of dissolution moro than those
which have heretofore agated the surface Of the
waters. fear thai the North does not believe
in the possibility Of disuuon. Fatal incredibly
II they could only be made to believe il possible,
it would then indeed be impossible. But their
disbelief renders II even probable. Believing it
to be atar of, and ever receding, they act in
manner which will preciptate the crisis as sure
ly as it Will be 10 them Unexpectedly. do not
know Of single incident that has occurred
since the passage of the compromise measures
which tends more to weaken the bonds Of union,
and arousd DARK thoughts in the minds OF than
this late tragedy. Nor will its influence and eff.
tects be limited within the narrow borders Of our
Sta.e. They will penetrate The soul Of the South.
They will silence the confident promises Of The
Union men ard give force TO the appeals Of the
sece ssioni.ts They Will enter into the ag'a.
lions of the next Congress. and weaken the pub
lie hope ever, wherp. For all lhese evils there
is but singh corrective and 'haf j.. the most
complete vindcalon OF the law, and the fullest
retribu'ion u,on the criminals.
had intended to prepare and lorw rd 10 your
exceency statement Of the facts Of the case
made out iran the communications sen TO this
department bu find from this mornings pa
PER, l1st received, that the officers Of The federal
government have already been engaged in ma.
king he proter investigations upon the spot, the
result Of which has been, or will be, placed be
fore YOU. Ihope that your excellency will re-
gard this ieter as by no means indicating an,
ack Of confidence in the federal authorities on
my part, bd az proper and necessary expos.
ton of the views entertained by the citizens of