Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1860-11-30
The pnIificaL Crisis.

The following extract, from an article IN
the Kent (Md.) Conservator, is said to give
the views of Senator Pierce on this momen-
tous theme:
Yet while our sympathies are with our
Southern brethren, we cannot but deplore
their precipitation in the movements which
threaten evil consequences to us all. 1t was
scarcely kind, not to say respectful, in one or
two States to propose secession, without a
word of consultation with their brethren, in-
Guiding those whose frontier position exposes
them to the evils of Northern aggression in
the greatest degree, and who have proved in
the recent election their devotion to sound
principles of legislation on this subject, as
well as the most ardent of the Southern
States. These independent movements seem
to imply, if not a distrust, a complete disrc-
gard Of our opinions, or perhaps, a BELIEF that
must follo,o where they choose to lead us
A common cause should have induced q COM
mon appeal to all who were alike interested,
before any movement made.
The State of Maryland, we think, is OPP
posed to secession, and does not consider the
mere fact of Lincoln's election sufficient to
justify revolution. The Union has given
US, for seventy years, peace among ourselves.
This in ITSELF is a blessing of inestimable
value. We say peace, not meaning to contra
diet what we have said of Northern aggres-
sion. But we have had no wars among our
selves, no mutual ravaging of our fields, no
sackng Of cities, no desolations of homes
and hearts. Our free commerce between the
States has indeed been most beneficial to the
North but it has also yielded many benefits
to the South; while our Union has given us
strength, and the prestige of power, which
compels the respect of all foreign nations and
governments. Washington considered the
Union the palladium of our political safety
and prosperity, the support of our tranquil
ty at home, our peace abroad
9 If it has not of late secured the harmony
of the Northern and Southern scctions-if it
has not prevented the enthusiastic fanatic and
the hypocritical demagogue from aiming
blows at our domestic institutions, it has, at
least, restrained and impeded their mad eff
| forts in some degree. And is it WISE nor, to
risk the many blessings which the Union has
secured to US, because it has not yielded all
that we had a right to expect from it? Is it
wise to fly to evils that we know not of, UNI
til we have exhausted every means to remedy
those of which we complain; and until the
North shall have attempted, or displayed be-
yond all doubt her purpose to treat US as con-
quered provinces2 When that purpose shall
be clearly demonstrated, then we doubt not
| that Maryland will be as ready to strike for
her violated rights as she was when her no.
blest sons pledged life, fortune and sacred
honor for their eountry's independence of
colonial vlssalage
" We incline TO think that itwould be well
for all the Southern States to confer en- these
| questions before a step farther is taken by any
one. Mr.. Lincoln, If he be disposed can do
little injury to the Sonth, in the next two
years at al events; because he will be
checked by majorities against him in both
| Houses of Congress, unless, indeed, the States
which are inclined to secede shall, by the re-
| signation of their Senators and Representa-
! tives, leave the other States opposed to the
| incoming administration in minority.
q The North has been fatally self-deceivcd
One Of their Senators bad the indecency to
say that the South could not Be tucked out Of
The Caion, and the republican papers now
sneer at Southern excitement as at the pout-
I ings of a feeble child. This is worse than
! the excitement which it derides and misun-
/ dcrstands. We would counsel prudence,
calmness, deliberaton and moderation to the
South 10 the North the just consideration
of Southern complaints, and Of their own in
terests, before it be too late-before this glo-
rious Union shall be shattered into broken
and dishonorcd Fragments