Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1861-05-09
speech Of Reverdy johnson.

Inc 10y al CttizeHS Vi naTylhnu nelQ grand
Union demonstration at Frederick, on Tues
day, which was attended by an enthusiastic
gathering of people Hon Reverdy johnson,
in behalf of the ladies, presented flag 10 the
Home Guard, of whom there were INN INN
dred and fifty members p, g. ri. Mr.. john
sen made forcibIe E siR sStssttiye speech, of
E 8. = z0ff0Wing is the Geographic alb
\ Btract:
He said: In the original causes which have
produced the present emergency. Maryland
has had no share. Her people ever were, and
now are, Jealous in support of the constitu-
ton and government which they were fore
most in forming 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
appreciated. The loss of these advantages, it
is felt would be utter and immediate ruin. In
this ruin all the states would, more or less,
share, but our geographical position would
make it to us immediate and total. Peaceabe
separation is, as our wisest statesmen have
predicted, impossible, and the truth of these
predictions is about to be manifested. But for
the resistance to its just and legal authority,
the government had given no cause, and had
the friends of constitutional rights remained
at their posts in congress, the power of the
government 10 transgress its authority could
have been effectualy thwarted.
The secessionists had desecrated the name
of Calhoun in support OF their heresy but
that great statesman had pronounced the doc.
trine both novel and in violation of common
sense. The leaders of the rebellion were, in
fact, actuated by an unholy trust of official
power. The fact is evidenced in the elevation
to place of all who had desecrated official posi-
ton plotting treason, but their efforts 10 dis
honor the government from which many of
their leaders had borrowed their renown
would fail. They may as well 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 census,
have 9, 77S 900 males, between the ages of Is
and 40; the slave states had ,665, 900 the Sc
ceded states, exclusive of Virginia, had only
53l 900, and the difference in wealth is pro-
portlonate to that of men. With such a vast
disparity, the end of the struggle is beyond a
doubt For Maryland to encounter such odds
would be to doom herself to desolation and de-
sruetion Even should the south march TO
assist her, they would be driven back, and our
state left to mourn over her calamity and
crime.
1t was the aim of the south to confine the
war to the border states. Mr.. Cobb was even
now congratulating them on the removal of il
from their midst; but Maryland should frus-
trate this cowardly policy. Let those who
have provoked the war bear its entire brunt
Maryland's proper position is to remain firm
in her loyalty TO the government. The re-
bellion leaders had done all they could to
achieve Mr.. Lincoln's election as the means O
precpiiating revolution in the south They
relied for the success of their plans upon tbs
Intervention of the border states, and division.
in the north; but they were short sighted
men. The first gun fired at a noble and starv
ing garrison was blow at the nations heart
and a united north had sprung to arms in win
dication of the flag. and for the maintenance
of the government. Heaven forbid the dul
of that yindication should be forgotten b.
Maryland. Temporary causes may have cas-
doubt over her loyalty, but every true man {
Maryland is devoted in attachment TO the ni
tional embIems, and will unite in the sentmen
of the chorus OF the national anthem.