The daily exchange. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1858-1861, 1861-08-15
Letter from Col. Mercer, OF Anne Arundel
County.

Letter from Col. Mercer, OF Anne Arundel
County.
Hon James B. Rtcdud Chairman Union Central Com.
rHittee Of Maryland:
SIR have learned, through the newspapers, of my
appointment on the Union State Central Committee
from the county of Anne Arundel although this has
been done without my consent do feel disposed to
md fault with the action of the Convention in that
spect as my political antecedents would perhaps, have
justified this selection Of for that position have
always entertained and still hold. the opinion that
constitutional right of the part of State
lists. But at the time, it admitted that,
during period ofchange and revolution when political
parties exhibit some phase of principle in almost
every hour the Union of yesterday not necessar
ly the Union man Of to-day.
Since the meeting of Congress in extra session. new
issues have been presented the country events of
momentous Importance have occurred completely chang
ing the relations of things and of political organizations
as they existed few months ago. especially in the State
of Maryland have not been insensble this innu-
ence and while lenouncing none of my former princi
Pies have endeavored to conform my opinions and &C
ton to existing circumstances and to my of pa
triotism and duty to my native State.
The question few months since the preservation
OF the Union by conceding to the South the rights
which they were enttled.under the Constitution This
could have been effected by the adoption the Crtenden
resolutions, but they were rejected by the North.
And even then, exerted my humble influence in sus
tanning Governor Hicks in his acquiescence in
the avowed purpose of which, as proclaimed by the Fed
eral Government, the protection of the national
capital and the maintenance in its integrity of the Con
stitution ecevedit from the Fathers Of the Rennb
he To accomplish this great and patriotic end would
willingly have borne Misrepresentation or defama
uon that might have been heaped upon me, and would
what recently conceived to be noble effort of right and
| justice to sustain itself
But my zeal in supporting the Government has abated
when find that lin pursuing my previous course am
called upon to sustain the Chicago PLATFORM substitute
it for the Constitution and to help force it upon an
unwilling people, who are successfully resisting that
purpose with arms in their hands to endorse the
pressibe conflict OF Seward the Black Repubcanism
Chase and Blair backed they are by the detestbe
Aboiltonsts, who unfortunately constitute large ma
| jority OF both Houses of Congress
The acts of oppression and outrage perpetated bv Fe
dera authority for the last three months in Maryland
ought IN my to be as offensive to the Union
men as to the ocalled Secessonists and should be
equally denounced by all 'casses of our citizens The
and laws have been dsregarded and rodden
hder foot our individual rights and private properties
have been infringed and violated cur negroes have in
numerous instances been abducted. Colonel Pnkney of
New York regiment, stationed in Annapolis forcibIl
took with him slave belonging one of nv neighbors
after repeated assurances to Governor Hicks and to the
owner that he should be returned and although annca
ons have been than made to General Dix for
his restoration, all remonstrance has been in vain
70 me history Oh modern warfare can furnish parallel
shor ana dsgracefui campaign in Virginia. State to
rious Revolutionary associations Houses sacked and
burned women violated, churches desecrated and the
last resting places of the honored dead no1iutd h hi
Northern hordes of barbarian Invaders whilst the nae
fu and Union citizens have been outraged and nsued
can no longer give my assent a wal waged on snch
savage and dsgraceful principles y" 'D'
But sir, the question has assumed new and
Inherent aspect it peace, or the continuance ola ruth,
Tess 'oar dlsgraceul to nation calling itself civilized
war OF conquest of subugaton and ofiesoation-a war
which, II successful on the part Of the Abotonists will
carry back the civilization of this continent for three
| hundred years.
The issue which Abraham Lincoln and his Black Re
publican supporters seem determined to force upon us
whether from sentiments of mortal fear dread of his
usurped power the people of Maryland be compelled
TO assume an attitude of determined hostility towards
people with whom they are identified in blood, in sym
pahy IN interest and in isopoty of institutions regard
ess OF all rght ana justice, as the humating price
exemption from the horrors of civil war
AS Marylander, |, for one, reject the terms thu:
ohered, with scorn and indignation; and although as
matter of high principle, remain passive under the
operation Of these monstrous wrongs, while Maryland
retains her position in the Union should be unjust t.
myself inconsistent with my of duty to my native
State and Indifferent to sefrespect, if were to permit
my name to remain the list of coercionists or to con
nue to act with party whose fundamental principle il
the support of new policy which detest and abhor il
| my heart OF hearts" Very respectfully,
Your obedient servant