Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1861-01-18

when her senators, the representatives of
the people, believe the time has arrived
when Maryland's interest demand state
of defence? How declare no danger, when
the sound of fife and drum re-cchoes from
the Allcghanies till it dies away upon the
waters of the Chesapeake In the face
of these facts, we will be justified in say
ing, that we never listened to more cx-
travagant expression from man Of re-
putcd learning and intelligence. He
must not then expect us to take his plea,
mo danger" as reason why the lcgis-
lature should not be convened immcdi-
ately. lie was unwilling, too, to entrust
the calling of a convention to the last cx-
travagant Legislature, who had appropri-
ated seventy thousand dollars to arm the
citizens and, from the marked tone in
which he emphasized the words, extra
VACANT Legislature" he left us under the
impression he was dispeased that the poo-
pie were put in position to defend them
selves against movements similar to the
John Brown raid, at llarper's Ferry. -
We hope we do him no injustice. lie
thought the pititM sum of seventy thou
sand dollars was sufficient to meet all dan
gers, when millions, if report be true,
have been given in the North to wage
war upon Southern institutions. Outup-
on the Marylandcr who would take ex-
pense into account when there was ques-
ton of saving the honor of his State, the
dearest interests of her people The
conclusion of his speech was a eulogy up
on our Maryland forefathers, +" during
the times that tried mems souls" We
yield neither to Mr. Bowie, nor to any
other man, in love, rcspcct'and vonera-
ton towards our forefathers. All praise
and honor to their generous, noble, hero
ie conduct during the bloodiest period Of
American history! Rest to those noble
slres, whose voice, could it come forth
ON the grave, would now chide many
generate sons for their conduct amidst
the Affections of the State they handed
down to be free and equal with the States
of the Union. This part Of his speech
was, no doubt, very pretty but he will
permit Us to say, with due Difference, was
no more pertinent TO the question under
consideration than would have been dis
seriation upon the theory of the North
and South Poles. But We must hasten
on to pay our respects to the erratic
speech of a. BOWIE DAVIS, Esq.
He came to Rockville that morning, he
informed US, fully convinced that an ex-
ira session was necessary, to devise means
to save the honor and protect the inte-
rests Of Maryland, but had changed his
mind between morning and the time he
was speaking. Tic the part of a sensi
bic, intelligent mind to change ones C II
victions when there are just grounds fol
so doing. We shall judge Mr.. Davis BY
this rule.
Reason No (: A friend, forty year
ago, CD advised him TO be cautious
whether for this special occasion or not
we were not informed Had he acted
upon that counsel, he would not have
urged forty-year old advice for sud
den change of mipd upon most i'm
portant question for he certainly mus
have given the subject he proposed tC
discuss some reflection. But, perhaps,
that counsel started up suddenly, like
an apparition, and overpowerod him.
We hope Mr.. Davis will not insist upon
US believing him of SO yacillatinga mind
as to credit the assertion that momen-
tary reflection upon an "adyice" over
turned matured and deliberate conyic-
tions.
Rcason No. 9: lie had received some
days before that settled conviction of the
morning, a pamphlet, purporting to OK
press tho views Of 7. j. Scott, ESD, on
the action of Marylanders in the present
crisis. How the views Of document
whose contents were known before his
convictions were formed, and before he
had time to re-read it and weigh again
its arguments, could unsettle Mr.. Davis
convictions, we are at loss to under
stand. We have not read that pamphlet,
and are unprepared to say whether or not
it advises an extra session but VIC do
assert, to the hes. Of our knowledge, after
careful attention, that the extracts read
said not u syllable upon the propriety or
non propriety Of converting the Legisla-
ture, and this was the only subject under
discussion. Why then drag il in to con
sumo time? Mr.. Davis also informed us,
that he subscribed TO a Democratic, a
Wing, (thc Patriot p and Republican
I paper. Were we unkind enough tosup-
pose him totally incapable Of forming a
sound Judgment upon the questions Of the
day, the fact that he reads the views Of
all sides, might account for the facility
with which be changes his convictions, y
for in this case he would be like that man
to whom the last sermon, whatever its
views or impcrlectons, will be the best.
lie entertained the meeting by reading
copious extracts from there papers. going
| to show there was conservative element
in the North. No ono denied this bu
what bearing had that upon the question
/ Shall VIC or not reques. the Governor q
convene the Legislature 20 prepare The
State to resist the encroachmcnts Of q
majority element in the North? 10 i'm.
press upon the hearers his love for the
Union, he told them be bad brothor-in-
law in the South, and another in the
North, and in the event Of civil war, he
would behold the sad spectacle Of these
two engaged against each other in bloody
strife. We admit that Mr.. Davis posi-
ton is an embarrassing one, similar to
that Of the ass between two bundles OF
hay, undetermined 10 which he shall turn.
We had other animadversions to make
on this remarkable speech, but they would
lead us beyond the limits Of paper com