The Bedford gazette. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1805-current, 1856-05-23

! With patriotic pride and exutation. May IT
/ b. ever thus, and may the soil of freedom ever
/ become The grave Of its invaders, II will be
i aluavs 50 whilst orr Union shall endure. and
whist millions of armed frrrmen are ready TO
rush 10 rvpel the invader under The united COM
1 mon flag of our country.
Historically the name of Baltimore is a name
consecrated TO civil and religious liberty The
7 charter which Lord Baltimore obtained from
the British Grown more than two centuries ago
i recognised the right Of the people Of Maryland
| to govern themselves, almost 10 the exclusion Of
roval authority ii was the most liberal char
ter which had ever been granted by sovereign
TO his subjects.
But what shall | say of the religious freedom
which it secured to the people The christian
religion is a religion OF charity. peace, and
+ brotherlY love. The golden rule which lis Di-
vine Founder prescribed to all mankind was,
'Do unto others as YOU would that they should
do unto you'' Notwithstanding this Injunction
from Heaven, the civil government of the Earth
had for many centuries impiouSly lnterIrred be-
tween the Creator and his creatures. and con
signed 10 present and future punishment all
Christians, of whatever drnominaton who da-
! red TO worship God in manner different from
themselves.
la an are Of religious bigotry and tolerance,
/ Lord Baltimore was the FIRST legislator who pro-
claimed the sacred rights of conscience, and es-
/ tabsbed for thr governmpn Of his colony the
principle, not merely Of toleration, bat perfect
religious freedom and equality among all sects
Of Christians r. was in advance Of the ags,
on he became the precursor OF a principle
which, though il has vet made little progress "a
mouI the nations, beyond the limits of her own
favored land, is destined in the end 10 prevail
throughout ChrlStendon In the language Of our
own great historian, 'erelgious liberty obtained
home It's only home in the whole word--at
the humble village which bore the name Of St.
Mary'S." This is glory which belongs 10
( Maryland, and will distinguish her throughout
all future generations.
Time would fail me were TO attempt TO
speak Of Charles Carroll, and Other r-voInliona-
~ worthless, whose names have illustrated the
history Of Maryland.
Our revolutionary faihrrs-lhe men of re-
nawn Of the past gpnpraion-have founded
( system Of government for us without equal
IN the history OF Former ages. Folly to realize
and appreciate lis advantages over all other gov
rrnsuentS man must actually witness thr con-
dIti1n Of the laborng classes 10 other countries.
Ours is the only country on earth whpre
freeman feels proudly conscious that he is equal
80 his frllnW-man, and where the avenues Of
wealth, distinction, and political power are f.
quaIly open to all. It is the onlv country
whore honest labor is respected as It deserves,
and receives an adequate reward 1t is 10 the
Constitution and the Union that are indeht
ed FIR all the blessings and benefits W. enjoy
over every reoplr heneath the sun. How base,
then. would he the present 5eneration--hov
unworthy of their nobI. sirps-should tbpv fail
10 transmit this precious legacy to their posteri-
Itv! Were this possible. which | do not in the
l4lst anprehenf. they wonLl blast the hopes Of
those noble spirits ia every land who ardentlv
expect their own political regeneration from the
+ effect of our example. and consign the human
race to centuries of d.spolism and miSrule. We
should never b-tray this sacred trust. committed
10 us not only for alsr own benefit but that OF all
mankind.
Although this is my abiding faith, nothing
abroad mortified me- 50 much as the Repeated
and confarnt predictions OF foreign journals
that cur Union was on The point of dissolution.
Day after day and week after week was obli-
grd to read these sinister predictions. They
were extensively believed. in consequence Of
the Wild and exaggerated statements contained in
some Of our own journals. When the news
reached Europe that, after protract4d aD, des
prrate struggl-, "a black republican" had been
elected 'sSpraker of the House Of Representa-
iives," many. taking the wo,d literally. beIiev-
ed that TINS election would move to be the
kneII nf nur Union.
il ought TO b. known 10 the American peo-
pie that these continual threats Of disunion have
inpaired our national character thropohont fb.
world. Eyprvbody. abroad aS we'll a. homo