Civilian & telegraph. [volume] (Cumberland, Md.) 1859-1875, 1860-07-26
The Bell & Everett Mass Meeting.

On Wednesday, the 18th inst, the MEM
bers of the Constitutional Union Party had
grand rally in Monument Square, Balti-
more of which the Baltimore American says:
at was the first evidence of real, earnest
political enthusiasm that the present cam
paign has developed in Baltimore. The
whole Square presented one mass of cnthu
siastic spectators, not one-half of whom could
get within hearing of the speakers. The
ward clubs marched in, each strongly repre-
sented, bearing transparenciss, flags, and
some of them accompanied by monster trans
parencies drawn by horses, and bands of
music. The stand erected extended across
the whole front of the Court House, canopied
by flags, brilliant with Jets of gas, and pre-
senting most magnificent spectacle. The
speakers were enthusiastically cheered, and a
Glee Club of two hundred vocalsts, with the
independent Blues full band, enlivened the
occasion. 1t was undoubtedly live meet
ing, and even our Democratic friends will
admit that the number present was fully
equal to the meetings of the adherents Of
Douglas and Breckenridge combined. There
was speaking also from the front Of Guys
Monument House during the evening"
Mayor Swan presided over the meeting,
and upon being called to the chair, made a
long and patriotic address, when n series Of
resolutions was proposed by F. Schley, Esq.
and adopted. Hon. Jos. r. Ingersoll then
addressed the meeting, and was followed by
Hon. j. Dixon Roman. The concluding
speech was by our talented townsman, Geo.
A. Pearre. We append his remarks as found
reported in the Baltimore Americana
SPEECH OF HON. GEORGE A. PEARnE.
Mr.. George A. Pearre, of Allegany, was
the next speaker. He said:-
Fello,c-c1tisens Il address tonight the
lovers of the Union-mcn who have rever-
ence for the Constitution of their country,
and who bow to the majesty of the supremacy
of the laws. In my estimation, no prouder
title could DO bestowed upon you. The time
has been when this title would embrace every
citizen of the United States, and hope even
now that it embraces q vast number of my
fellow countrymen in the States.
In other times to call You oy this title
were only to use an empty, high-sounding
phrase; to indulge in mere rhetorical
flourish; but now, divided as is the country
threatened as it is with dissolution, it means
something more. 1t designates class Of
men who guard the sacred legacy of their
fathers, not only against the ruthless hand Of
the Northern aboltionists, but against the
disunionists of the South.
You are the advocates OF and supporters
of the Union, the Constitution, and the Laws;
this is the manifesto of your party. Let us
analyze it. First in the great arch is the
Union. We mean by it that we have nc
arithmetic to calculate the benefits we have
derived from it; we know what proud po-
sition it has given US among the nations Of
the earth We know what peace and pros
perity it has given us at home. CApplause. ]
The Constitution! By it we mean the
great charter of our rights, not to be inter-
preted by individuals or by the sickly efforts
Of Legislatures; to be interpreted only by the
supreme power which it has created-the
Courts of the United States.
1t was required that every American citi-
zen should strictly obey all laws passed by
Congress. Previous to such passage it was
within the province of every citizen to dis
cuss and examine every law proposed, but
after it had been passed by the supreme au.
thority, NO State had tho right to set up and
pass laws in direct contravention OF such
acts. We who are now assembled are for the
Union now, and for the Union for ever.
CChsersl We are for the observance of the
Constitution and the due enforcement of the
laws, and also desire tho protection of that
tribunal which has the power to pass the
laws. CCbeers.
This is the whole platform of tho Consti-
tutional Union party, and i: is good plat
form. It admits Of difference in opinion with
respect to the construction Of the Constitu-
tioa, but doe not .dnito q power tounllify
In esss Of law kAng passed which ve srs