Port Tobacco times, and Charles County advertiser. (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1845-1898, 1861-01-10
TO THE PEOPLE
COUNTY.

SI7XAISiIo w - In l.
The present day only is ours. We cannot
recall the past or foresee the future. We can
act now, but who can say what will be done
or can be done Tomorrow. Our lot has been
cast in troubled times. Our Union is already
broken, whether rightfully or wrongfay, the
deed is now done. With its causes now is not
the time to deal. 1t is time to deal with the
facts as they exist. These facts are ominous
enough The Federal troops in the South are
abandoning, weak forts. and spiking the cannon
and arming and manning the stronger. From
all parts of the South comes the sound Of mill
tary organization. Every Southern steamer is
freghted with the implements of war. The
sound comes not alone from the South. The
Black Republican clubs of the North are arm
ing and drilling.
The Federal Government issuess an order to
remove cannon from Pittsburg and the order is
met by mob protesting against their removal
The Secretary of State, Treasury and War have
resigned. Trade, commerce and agriculture are
PROSTATE. Every Southern State, except one
has spoken, or is preparing to speak and to act.
Maryland alone is as voiceess as the grave
She, who is to bear the brunt and burden Of
the BATTLE if the battle comes, is unprepared,
unarmed and unorganized. She, whose voice
might even now avert this drest of all calami-
ties, is dumb. Do the people of Charles county
wish IN these days Of dread and danger to in
augurate, for the first time in their history, the
Apolicy of ssnasterly irlaetvity?" Do they IN
ts.iss f,,sseiS
then TO tIIc sfess->>sant in the craven's plea,
Lord deal gently wit,l -eervant, for have
done thee no evil?" Do they e,p,g.Ls,-a neu
trality, which is not even armed, to obtain saer-
cy from Massachusetts, and Ohio, or respect and
aid from Virginia and Alabama As well
might frai ship, lying between two masses Of
ice which a resistless tide drives together, ex-
pcct to escape being ground to powder. But
it is believed that the people have such wish
or intention. They desire to be heard on this
the gravest Of questions. They have again and
again earnestly and respectfully requested the
Governor to convene the Legislature and lie has
refused While we are satisfied that the Gov
ernor is actuated in his refusal by good motives
yet to his refusal we canliot consent. Some Of
the best and wisest of the political party to
which the Governor belongs have been the fore
most in urging the necessity of his 50 doing
His refusal is his own individual act and not
that of his party Before the momentous qlles-
ton now agitating this country mere party
questions have sunk into the dust There let
them remain.
There is a remedy full and ample in itself,
and warranted both by the example Of our fore
fathers and the exegencies of the times. In the
days Immediately preceding the Revolution a
Convention sat again and again in Maryland
without any authority from any power, except
directly from the people themselves This Con-
vention at one time discharged legislative func-
tions. 1t took all precautions against the i'm
pending storm and so when it burst it fou ii the
State prepared. Governor Houston of Texas
.obstinately refused to convene the people Of
Look no of ffpr: fl1,Ir
hands and the Sovereign Convention Of Texas
meets this month. But it is not necessary to
refer to examples. A Sovereign Convention of
the people can be called and held by the people
at any time they please, without regard either
to Governor or Legislature. 1t is an inherent
and unalienable right of which no power can
deprive them. 1t is their great safeguard against
misrule and oppression and the great reserved
power which no free people can ever part with.
Great emergencies alone Justify the use of this
great reserved power. We believe that this
great emergency has now arisen and that the
delay of even a day is fraucht with danger, aud
so believing, it is recommended that the people
of Charles county assemble in the several cleo
ton districts of Charles county, in Primary
Meetings, on WEDNESDAY, 10Th of january,
between the hours of 10 A. II. and L. NJ,
and elect twenty Delegates from each district,
to meet in County Convention on the following
MONDAY, which County Convention shall
elect three Delegates to State Sovereign Con-
peution, to meet in the City of Annapolis, or
Baltimore; and also open correspondence with
the other Counties and City of Baltimore on that
subject. And that there may be full and fair
expression of the will of the people, whether or
not they desire to be heard in Sovereign Con-
vention, it is further recommended, that the
people in Primary Meetings appoint Judges Of
Election, and vote by ballot for the delegates to
the County Convention, and shall endorse on
their ballots "For Sovereign Convention or
against Sovereign Convention" (An equal
number of each ticket will be printed at Port
Tobacco.) For the convenience of the people
the Judges of the last election are requested to
act as Judges of the Election, and attend from
10 A. NJ, to P M.
Every man in the County is most earnestly
requested to attend the Primary Meetings and
vote. Let the voice of the people be fully and
fairly heard. Now is the time for old Maryland
to speak-to speak calmly, wisely and firmly
She may yet reunite the broken band, or failing
in that, she may still avert the horrors of civil
war by just mediation. and failing in ALL she
will still have the proud consciousness that she
has done her duty.
rS1--41-4X SAML. Cox,
F.~HSEaSE,
". MITCHELL; aud others. :