Lewistown gazette. [volume] (Lewistown, Pa.) 1843-1944, 1861-05-16
Grand Union Meeting at Frederick,
MarYland.

MdTyI1nu
SPEECH OF HON. REvERDY JOHNSON.
Hon. Reverdy johnson presented flag
to the Home Guard at Frederick on the 7th,
on behalf of the ladies of that place. There
was an enthusiastic gathering on the occa-
sion, and the demonstration for the Union
was a grand one. A hundred and fifty
members of the guard were present Mr..
Johnson speech was torcible and effective.
lie said
In HE original causes which have produced
the present emergency Maryland had no
share. Her people ever were, and are now,
Jealous in support of q Constitution and q
government which they were foremostin form
Ing and adopting. No threat of treason has
ever been whispered within her limits, while
the blessings and advantages Of the Union
have ever been fully estimated and apprecia
ted The loss of these advantages would be
utter and irremediable ruin. In this rui n all
the States would more or less share, but our
geographical position would make it to US i'm
mediate and total.
A peacea6le separation il, as our wisest
statesmen have predicted, impossible: and
the truth of these predictions is about to be
manifested But for the resistance to its lust
and legal authority, the Government had Civ
en- no cause and had the friends Of constitu
tional rights remained ut their posts in Con
gress, the power Of the government to trans.
gress It's authority could have been eifectually
Oh gartad. The Secessionists had desecrated
the name Of Calhoun in support of their her.
ersy but that great man had pronounced the
doctrine both novel and il violation OF COM
mon sense.
The leaders Of the rebellion were in fact
actuated by an uHholy lust for official power
This fact is evidenced in the elevation to place
Of all who had desecrated their official posi-
tons By plotting treason. But their efforts
to 3isAoHor Government, from which many
Of these leaders had borrowed their renown,
would fail, They ma, as we'll strike at the
heavens with their arms as against the Amer
lean Union. Defeat was certain to rebellion.
The free States, according to the last cen
sus, have 3,71S,000 males between the ages If
IS ard II years. The slave States have l..
605 900. The seccaaad States. exclusive Of
Virginia, have only 53l coo. And tae differ
eaee In wealth Is proportlonate 70 that Of men.
With such vast disparity the end of the
struggle IS beyond doubt For Maryland 70
encounter such odds would be To doom her
self to deSoiati0n and de>truction Even
should the South render aid they would be
driven back, and our State left to mourn over
her calamity and crime
It was the aim Of the South ta canine the .
war to the Border States Cobb was even
now con graduating his confreres On the re
noyal Of il from their midst But MARYLAND
should Illustrate this cowardIy policy. Let
those who have provoked the war bear It's
entire brunt. Marylani's proper position is
to remain firm in her lyyaity 10 the Govern
lent.
The robellious leaders had done all they
ssuld to achieve Mr.. Lincoln election. as the
means Of precipitating the revolution in the
South. They relied. fer the success Of their
plans, upon the Intervention of the Border
States aud divisions in the north. But.
short GIFTED men the first gun fred at a
noble and starving garrison was i blow at the
nation heart, and the Aarth sprung to arms
n vindication Of the nag and for the main
enance of the Government Heaven forbid
hat the duty Of that vindication should be
nrG"t.en by Maryland. Temporary "a Uses
nay have east doubt over her loyalty. hut
very true man Of Maryland is devoted in II.
achmeat to the national emblcms. and will
mite in the sentiment Of the chorus Of The
latoual anthem:
Tie sPau2lal banner. oh l,ng MAJ ID wave
Ter tla homes Of the free AMI tna hearts OF the
brave