The southern aegis. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1857-1862, 1861-10-26
TO THE
PEOPLE OF HARTFORD.

PEUPLE OF HARFURD.
We have thought it best to adj
dress you, explaining frankly the
convictions that influence, and the
principles that govern us in the
present crisis ; principles we believe
to be sound, and convictions we
know to be honest. Intending to
adhere to them and willing to be
Judged by them, we do not hesitate
to submit our opinions unreservedly
for your censure or approval.
Maryland has never recognized
secession as a Constitutional right
or Constitutional remedy. The
Constitution of the United States
is incorporated with, and made part
of, the organic law of the State
Her Legislature has no power to
change that fundamental law, and
an act of secession, if passed, would
be a nullity.
Maryland has been always true to
the Union, as the fosterer and ASST
rance of National dignity, strength
and prosperity. When Massachu-
sets proclaimed the admission of
Texas as just cause for secession;
when those, who profess now to be
it's most loyal defenders, reviled it
as "a covenant with hell" and were
willing to "let it Slide" when un-
constitutional legislation in other
States struck at vital interests here,
she never faltered in her faith new
er looked for redress beyond the con-
stituted tribunals, nor appealed to
"higher law" than the Constitu-
ton. In this time Of peril and dis
tress it is her right to demand the
strict observance, in peace or war,
of every Constitutional provision,
the recognition of all rights secured
by those provisions, and of all re-
served to her as d sovereign State
when she entered into the federal
compact.
The States are sovereign, except
as to those attributes they agreed
to confer upon their appointed rep
resentative, the General Govern
ment. AS such they achieved the
revolution. Combining their several
resources for a common end they
fought for and established the great
American principle that Govern
ments are formed for the benefit of
the people, and all authority ema-
mates from the people. The rights
of each were as perfect and ample as
the rights of all. They derived none
from the Constitution, but formed it,
their creature, and through it the
Union, not to acquire more, but as
the chosen means of securing and
defending what each already pos
sessed.
Their continued sovereignty is
essential to the theory and success
of our Government but for its re-
cognition the Constitution would
never have been adopted. When
opposed by those who feared proba-
bic aggression it was declared by
Mr.. Hamilton, its ablest advocate
that cit may be safely received as an
aniom IN our political system that
the State Governments aoiU, IN all
possible contingencies, afford complete
security against invasiom Of the pub
Tic liberty By the National authority"
What mockery, if the States be, as
the President asserts, mere munich
pal divisions! How ridiculous in his
own Illinois, to emblazon on her
shield, as the essence of her politi-
cal faith the motto estate Sovereign
ty, National Union p ~
The General Government is in no
true sense of the term sovereign
1t is not the source, but the recipi-
ent of delegated powers. Within its
prescribed sphere, it is made para
mount, beyond that powerless and
non-existent. Its officials are the
servants, not the masters of the peo-
pie; agents with limited authority,
and with none beyond the written
grant; to exceed which is usurpa-
ton in them and a wrong against
every State and every citizen.s The
,,bp,;cs;on Of poonv Ctotoo mr. indi