The daily exchange. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1858-1861, 1860-11-29
LETTER FROM THE GOVERNOR OF MARYLAND
EXECUTIVE CHAMBER,
A ~

ANNApoLIs, Nov. 81, 1860.
To Thomas G. Pratt, Sprigg HarWood, J. s. Frank
Ian, ~ II. Green, LleCeliyR Boyle and J. Pinkney,
Esqrs.:
GENrLEMEN:-On the Dist instant one of your
number placed in my hand a memorial signed by
you, suggesting to me that the Legislature should
be forthwith convened 'to consider of the present
momentous crisis, and provide, II practicable,
remedy for the threatened danger" Though the
memorial presented points which had not been
carefully considered by me before its receipt vet
the respectable character of the signers secured for
it my most respectful attention-and so far my
powers of thought and the engrOssing nature of my
official duties have enabled me, have devoted my
self anew to fair, frank, rational re examination
of the subject upon which have had the honor to
be thus addressed. This renewed consideration has
not had the effect to alter my first impressions of
the question, and have to consider myself still I'M
able to discover the necessity or the proprety of
converting the Legislature Of Maryland at this
time.
That the times are big with peril know and feel.
That the crisis devolves upon me fearful RESPONSE
biities and delicate and important duties am fully
aware. That am bound to meet those duties and re-
spOnsibiities also know, and that | it to the
good people of Mary land to decide with caution, and
act with prudence, keeping in view their interests
and safety feel sensiby. Itis with full view of al
these considerations that have arrived at my con.
illusions in this matter.
One of the prominent causes of the excitement
now pervading the Southern States is the unfortu.
nate result at the recent election, which has raised
+. personally
| was as much opposed to his election as was any
other man in the country, and so far as my inlu-
ence could extend, | did all in my power to defeat
him. But he has been constitutionallv chosen at
an election where all presented our favorte
candidates, and the South is bound in honor to re-
cOgniZe and respect the result, would have
required the North to do had either of the other
candidates been elected. So far then, the
of excitement is concerned, | cannot but think it
without just foundation,
Identified, as | am, by birth and every other tie
with the South, slave holder, and feeling as
warmly for my native State as any man can do, l
am yet compelled by my of fair dealing and
my respect for the Constitution of the country to
declare, that see nothing in the bare election of
Mr.. Lincoln which would justify the South in tax
ing any steps tending toward separation of these
States. Mr. Lincoln being elected, am willing to
await further results. If he will administer the
! Government in proper and patriotic manner, we
| all bound to submit to his administration, much
as we may have opposed his election.
As an individual, will cheerlully sustain him in
well doing, because my suffering country will be
benefited by constitutional administration of
the Government. If, on the contrary, he shall
abuse the trust confded to him, shall be found as
ready and determined as will any other man to ar
rest him in his wrong courses and then seek redress
of our grievances by any and all proper means.
The other chief cause Of the excitement referred
to in your memorial is the unconstitutional and
disgraceful acts of some Northern Legislatures in
passing laws virtually multiplying the positive pro-
visions of the Constitution in reference to fugitive
slaves. There can be no two opinions in Maryland
as to the outrageous character of these acts, for
Maryland has been constant sufferer from them,
and has lost more of this description Of property
than all the extreme Southern States combined.
Strongly insulting to the Southern States, they
are in the planest opposition to the decisions of
the highest Co art and the letter of the Constitu-
tion which these Legislators have sworn to support
But, gentlemen, these laws do not, in my judg-
ment, express the opinion of the great conserva-
tive masses of the North We know that there are
| ma Of ba
who arc utterly opposed to these fanatcal mea,
sures, passed by demagogues who have been TEN.
porarily placed in power by the agitation of the
| slavery question.
But the sober second thought of the masses, which
rarely fails to arrive at right conclusions, will,
| firmly trust, secure the repeal of these laws now
| that their attention has been so distinctly drawn
| to their evil effects. Already we see that PROPOSE
tons for their repeal have been made in the Legs-
| latures now in session, and we informed that
similar propositions will be introduced into all Of
| them when they meet. Let us be careful not tC
weaken the hands of these conservatives by adopt
ing ultra measures at the South, which always aid
! the Northern fanatics, who only exist by the
agitation Of the Slavery question Shall not that
conservative class have some kindly consideration
at our hands? shall we regard only the ultrasts
| North and South until they shall crush out all
hope of perpetusting our glorious Union?
| cannot but believe that the converting Of the
Legislature in extra session at this time would only
have the effect of increasing and reviving the eX
|
parently on the decline. 1t would at once be her.
aided by the sensitive newspapers and alarmist;
| throughout the country evidence that Maryland
had abandoned all hope Of the Union, and was pre-
pairing to join the traitors to destroy it.
Is such the true position or wish of MARYLAND?
think have had very full opportunities oflearnina
the wishes of the people upon this question, and
| have no hesitation in declaring it as my opinion
| that an immense majority, of all parties, de
| cidedlv opposed to the assembling of the Legsla
ture at this time Memorials similar to that which
you present have been in circulation for some time
but | have thus far received but one, and thai
signed only by six names, although | learn it has
been presented to the people of the city generally
should certainly be respected in this matter, and
their silence under the circumstances, shows that
they see no necessity for immediate action.
To my mind, difficulties multiply as we proceed
| with the consideration of this subject.
The Constitution Of the State prescribes biennia
sessions of the Legislature Of limited length, and
authority is given to the Governor to convene the
Legislature only on extraordinary occasions If
were to do now it would be necessary to haras:
the people in some parts of the State, Just relieved
from an exciting canvass, with elections to fill va
cancies, at an unusual AID incement season. Any
6f exft 1hA Legislature WQAl9 B" l TW0ni ht
especially so, unless the example of the last session
of this body, which almost empted the State Treas
ury, would serve some restraint.
You, gentlemen, favor an extra session only be-
cause of the Importance of the present crisis; but
lnere are OIneTS WnC tnlnk OF their interest;
rather than those of the State who would be founC
seeking to monopolize the valuable time of the body
in turthering schemes of personal advantage, which
can well afford to await the meeting at the regular
session.
You speak, gentlemen, of Marylands peculiar
position border Slave State. That position
between the extremes of North and South, seems
thus far, to have kept sectiOnalism from her coun
ellis, and to have inclined her people to moderate
measures. But there other border Slave
States as much interested in these questions as
Maryland can be, which ought to be consulted be-
fore we take the initiative in this matter.
believe that neither Kentucky, Tennessee mol
| Missouri has taken any such action. The Legis
! lature of the great State of Virginia which ha:
been called together to take action as to her works
| internal improvements, will have these matters
under their consideration; and it seems only wise
and proper to await the decision of our nearest
Southern sister, rather than run the risk of clash
ing with her by hasty action-our people will not
fail to act with boldness, when it becomes neces
| sary, because we waited with patience. the true
time for action, instead of becoming alarmed be.
fore danger had actually arrived, and rushing
into perils which prudence may avoid.
| In addition to these reasons, it seems to me we
should wait to hear from the National Executive. 1t
Is his duty to look, not to Mary land alone, but
| the entire Union. He is, doubtless correctly ad.
vised as to the true condition of the country whose
chief officer he is and must have means of Judging
correctly as to its condition, far more extensive
| than those at my command and of deciding prop.
| ery as to what measures are best suited to com
pose our national troubles; and ! will say that
cons lder it but respectful to await the recommen-
dations of that high Functionary.
Congress, too, will be in session on the Sd proxi-
mo, and coming, its members will Go. from every
section of the country it is but reasonable hope
that they in their congregated wisdom, will give
aid to the National Executive, and that wise and
temperate cOunsels will prevail, and proceedings be
had, which will alay much of the unknd and I'M
| natural prejudice existing between the different
sections OF our once united and happy country