Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1856-04-12
political.
REMARKS OF b. G. HARRIS,

We present to our readers, to-day, ex-
tracts from the able speech of BENJAMIN
G. HARMS, of St. Mary's, in the House
of Delegates of Maryland, at its recent
session, on the majority report in relation
to secret political societies, and also
passing in review some of the articles
adopted at the Philadelphia Know-no-
thing Convention. After dwelling with
much force and eloquence upon the fail
ure of the committee to discharge its duty
to the people of the State, Mr.. Harris
takes up the case of AARON BURR, and
contrasts his trial with the investigation
on which he thus opens his remarks:
Aaron Burr was upon trial, actually
acquitted of the charge of treason against
his country He lived freeman from
his trial to his grave; public opinion
drew distinctions which the law cannot
draw, and the fair fame he had previous
ly won in the service of his country,
withered before the blight, and his name
has been branded with everlasting infa-
my. The intelligence of this House
knew these things when they ordered
this investigation, and it was ordered that
public opinion should be satisfied upon
the question at issue. They intended
not to avail themselves of the paltry pre-
texts and evasions suggested by the ma.
jority of the Committee in order to es
cape this investigation. They will no
surely thanh this Committee for attempt
ing to place them in the inconsistent DO
stion of proposing this enquiry and o
then retiring from the contest. 1t will
surely meet your indignant frown tina
your Committee should assume that yo,
can first act like the blustcring Juzy, an,
will then retire like the skulking copayyl
What, sir, will this Honorable Body dc
clare as the majority of this Committe,
have, that this enquiry instituted b,
themselves would be an insult to the ma
jority of the people of this State2 Viii
they thus shield themselves /? Whence
sir, did this proposition for inquiry come
1t was brought forward by the distin
guished leader of the majority of thii
House, being also chairman of this Com.
mittce. Surely, that Honorable gentle.
man, in offering it, did not intend to in
suit his dear constituents; and surely,
too, the majority of this House knew
whether or not it would be an insult ia
the majority of the people to have such
an enquiry. And, sir, this lecture upon
propriety and decorum comes with an
i'll grace indeed from this Committee
But the cruelty of imposing upon the
Honorable gentleman, (Mr. Kennedy, J
who inaugurated this enquiry, the tasl,
of declaring its insulting character is I'M
paralclled in our political history. -
Shame Shame! that the fond parent
should be forced to acknowledge his bant-
ling bastard. 1t is to be hoped, that
the senatorial cataplasm which has been
since applied, will heal the wound which
has been thus inflicted.
This House, Mr.. Speaker, will not, il
true to its character, arrest this enquiry
upon such fimsy pretext so shamolessly
brought forward; and sir, it will as
promptly repudiate the idea also brought
forward by this distinguished Committee,
that we should not enquire into griev-
ances and offences if countenanced by a
majority of the people. The idea is abb
surd. This sir, is a Constitutional Gov
eminent, and the majority may be as
gross violators of law and right az ten
men or one man and just as worthy of
punishment. If majority ofthe people
of this State, with Andrew Cross at their
head, were to blow up the Nunnery in
Aisquith Street, or if they we're to aid
him in setting the fire and he fagN to a
dozen Popeish Priests, every man of
them would be guilty of arson or murder,
and if they were not hung it would not
be because they did not deserve hanging
If this Legislature, representing the en-
tire people we're unanimously to pass an
act which would come in conflict with
our Constitution, it is unnecessary for me
to say that the act would have no validi-
ty. The majority can be guilty Of trea-
son itself; they may elect first Consul
or an Emperor, but none would deny
their guilt in doing so and, sir, ! hope
/ may be excused, if ! state the plain
truth, that there arc many high intel
lects and conservative patriotic hearts in
our land, who consider the majority in
this House as guilty Of treason to their
country, and falsehood to their God,
Notwithstanding the "purity Of their
principles" are attested by the fact of
their being the representatives of ma
jority Of the people. ] was in hopes that
this enquiry, if proceeded in, might re-
lieve their minds at least from the APP
prehension Of your being gang OF Sc
cret conspirators, even if it should be
found that your open and orored princi-
pies aimed blow at the very foundation
Of our Institutions. Then, sir, let this
inquiry proceed. Let the report be re-
manded, with orders to obey Instructions.
Even if you can have the approval Of
your own conscience, do not disregard
the appreciation of those of your fellow
citizens whom nothing can satisfy but an
investigation like the one you yourselves
have proposed
But, sir, what will You do with his
Excellency the Governor? lie will have
q tremendous triumph over you II you