The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1860-12-29


estent rpon principles Of hostility 10 tho states Of
The nth and 10 express the earnest hope Of Mississippi
IT '' ."nu "H 60 operate with her IN the anoptioh o.
efficient measures for the common defence and safety o.
tie South, .1ef y
Given Under my hand AZ NJ great seal Of the state
JOHN ). PErrUs
Q, A BdoucHrn, Secretary Of state
REILLY or GOVERNOR BIcKs.
Staff or MAINLAND,
laEcCnvE CHAMBER, hsssroLs, Dec 10, 1860 !
sis-four letter o the 18Th instant Informs tina
you have been appointed by the OF Mississippi
pursuance OF resolution OF her Legislature, C0mmN
sone 70 Tie state q Maryland and that the occasion Of
your mission Is tie present crisis in the national Affairs
81 this country and the danger which mpends tho safety
and rights Of the Southern states BY Of the cleo
ton OF sectional candidate to the Office Of President Of
the United states, aud upon q platform Of principles
destructive OF our constitutional rights and which In the
opinion Of the State of Mississippi calls for propas&
decisive action for the purpose Of protection and fu
turo security
You also inform me that Mississippi desires the
cooperation OF her sister States Of the South
necessary 10 defend rights and this end y0n
20 know whether viii convene the Legislature OF Mary
land for the purpose of counseing with the constituted
authorities of the state OF Mississippi and what time
i may be expected our General Assembly viii be called
In the conversation bad with you this morning. you
were good enough TO explain more fully the aud
intentions on Mississippi in this matterher desire that
our Legislature should also appoint coum ssioners
meet those of other Southern states and that action at
once be had by all the Southern States for the formation
Of a new government among themselves
Inc position Of Maryland, as small, southern border
stae, renders the Of power possess
for the purposes Indicated by you, matter Of very
grave importance
our Stale is unquestionabiy identified with the South.
states IN feeling and by the institutions and habits
which prevail among us. But she is also ervatye,
and above all things TO the Union Of these States
under the constitution Her people will use all honorable
means 10 preserve and perpeu.te these. think know
the sentiments Of her citizens in this matter and that
not mistaken when say that almost unanimously,
they intend TO uphold that Union and maintain their
rights under that they believe these last will yet be
admitted secured that not unit, il is certain they
II
constitutional and lawful effort to them exhaust
ed viii they consent TO any effort for il dissolution.
The people OF Maryland arc ANXIOUS hat time he given
and an opportunity afforded for fair and honorable ad
jusiment Of the difficulties and grievances of which they,
more IN Il people OF other Southern state have
= right 70 complain. And, in my opinion, II the people
Of his Union really desire It's continuance and perpetnity
such adjustment may be effected. hope and believe II
VII be eecied, and promptly And until the EFFORT IS
found 10 be in vain cannot consent by any precptate
or revolutionary action 10 aid IN the ACKNOWLEDGMENT Of
When shall clearly that there hope Of such
adjustment and am convinced that the power " tho
federal government Is to be perverted TO the destruction
instead Of being used for the protection Of rights
then, and not I'LL then can consent - to exercEe any
power with which am invested as 10 afford even the
opportunity for such Z proceeding
Whatever powers may have shall ouy after full
consultation ard IN iratcnal concert with the other Dor
der States since and they, in the event of any dis
memberment Of the unon will suffer more than all
! in correspondence with the Governors OF
those states and await with solictnde for the indica
Of the course to be pursued by them When this is
made known TO me shall be ready to take such steps
duty and interest shall demand and do not doubt
the people Of Maryland ready to with the people OF
those States Tor veal or
fully agree with all that you have said as the
cessty for protection to the rights of the South; and
sympathes entirely with the gallant people OF Msss
spp WHO stand ready any infringement OF those
rights But earnestly hope they will act with prudence
TIT we show moderation wcll as lnness; and he
unwilling TO resort TO extreme measures until necessity
shall leave choice.
am unable to inform you when tho Legislature Of this
State will be called together for until can perceive the
necessity for such step am not willing awake the
apprehension and excite The alarm which such call at
( the present time could not fail 10 Greats.
have tho honor to be- with great yoaT Sss
Hon. A. II HANDY Comm ssioner Of Mississippi
LETTER PROM GOVERNOR HICKS.
The Annapolis Gd-ete publishes the following letter
from Capt John Contee, OF Prince Georges county,
urging him to call an extra session Of the legislature
EXECUTIVE CHAMBER, ANNAPOLIS, De,. 0, 1890
nKAR siK--Your favor Of November 20 reached Anna
ps during my absence visit to the Eastern shore.
avail myself Of the iirst leisure moment since my
turn 10 thank you for your truly patriotic letter nnd 10
assure you that such espass is very gratifying 10 me-
obligations should he thrown aside, and the best
ges Of every one excred for the preservation OF our
Ihsve party attachments or preiudicer tina, conflict
with my love for the Unon OF that influence in
the endeavor TO discharge my duty faithfully to my
tive State
have long determined 10 put aside party feelings
and sectional preudices and do everything in my power
the happiness Of millions depending upon IT,
We cannot shut our eyes 10 the fearful peril OF the
hour We know that dark cloud overshadows the
land, threatening the destruction Of the institutions
have been taught to revere, and under which have
grown 10 be great nation We know that reckless and
designing men are endeavorng 10 precipate dissolu
ton Of the tnion before the people shall have time for
the reflection mpcraiiycly demanded by the vast In
terests involved IN the Threatened separation whether
that separation be peaseful bloody. There must be
time to weigh well all the consequences before pro-
coed d, roy the goyernm. bsquca 10 W. by our
III
enough Of WISDOM virtue and patriotism in Congress and
the country to give the people time Cor 1.-THE sober second
thought"
II the Union be dissolved let he done calmly
deliberately and after full reflection the part Of
united South II seems 10 from The hot haste nh which
81 the southern States pressng ssoat that
their leading men appear to act deliberately believing
that the people would not sustain them in their reckless
course IL they had tin to weigh the consequence
act without one more appeal 20 The people of the Nerth
Does IL not seem strange that have only rolzep
the great wrong done the southern states by The rsoa
Liberty bills enacted by the NORTH We know that these
laws Lave been upon the statute books OF many Of the
states Tor years. aud that until now they have
been considered sufficient cause to justify the South N
dissoiyng The Union.
Nov these enacments are cited the principal
cause for the secession movement in the extreme sout
These perscna Liberty Laws are IN direct conflict with
the tutn yet they have been permitted remain
unQucstcned by the south until assertained thai
Mr Lincoln elected PRESIDENT q the United sssc-
Thee lava should he repealed AZ once, AMI the rights
The south guaranteed by the coutituton should be
respected and enforced After allowing reasonable
time or action IA the part of the Northern atcs IL
They shall neglect refuse observe the plain require
menis of The constitution, then, in INV Judgment.
hal be fully warranted IN demanding division OF tho
country
We sha have done duty 10 the ,liu,i ION the
memory Of our father. 70 ourselves and pcs,cry and
the South can honorabiy take such steps patriotism
and honor may demand, either in cut Of the Union
No one viii then be more ready willing than 10 fol.
Nv the fortunes Of tn south but utterly opposed
Ia this prscpiiate action by two three
Maryland y border state. with only inv .sibe
line between her territory and the free states; sud, N
my opinion, II separation thcull take place in
years there viii not be- slave within her limits. Our
state. IN the event q dissolution Of the Union
become the battle ground of the hostile sectns subject
TO al The horror u border warfare This win
arect the decision of people VI cannot enjoy in
the Union the rights guaranteed by the constitution
shall be the last To- object 90 withdra al a
state from confedeacy that mics to the enjoyment
II unSouhted rights but believing that neither her
honor interests viii suffer ny proper aud iu, DELAY
in