Delaware State journal and statesman., 1861-04-30

before you all the information possessed by me-
| shall promptly communicate such other inform
alton as may reach me. Notwithstanding the
fact that our most learned and intelligent citizens
admit the right Of the government TO transport
its troops ACROSS our soil. II is evident that
portion Of the people Of Maryland are opposed TO
the exercise Of tho right have done all in my
power to protect the citizens Of Maryland, aud
to preserve the peace within our borders. Law
less occurrences will be repeated, fear, unle's
prompt action be taken by you. II is my duty
to advise you of my own convictions Of the pro-
per course TO be pursued by Maryland In the
emergency which Is upon us. II is Of no conse-
quence now to discuss the cause which have
induced our troubles. Let us look to our dis
tressing present and "a our portentous future.
The fate of Maryland and perhaps Of her
sister torler slave States, will undoubtedly he
seriously affected by the action Of your honor
able body. Therefore should every good citizen
lend all his energies TO the task before Us, and
therefore should the animosity and chickering's Of
the past he forgotten, and all strike hands In
tho hold cause of restoring peace to our beloved
state and to our common country. honestly
and most earnestly entertain the conviction that
the only safety Of Maryland lies in preserving
neutral position between our brethren Of the
north and OF the south. We have violated no
rights of either section we have been loyal TO the
! Union. The unhappy contest between the two
sections has not been commenced or encouraged
by us, although we have suffered from il in
the past The impending war has not come by
any act or wish Of ours. We have done all we
could to avert il, we have hoped that Maryland
and the other border slave States, by their CON
servatiye position and love for the Union, might
have acted as mediatOrs between the extremes
of both sections, and thus have prevented thu
terrible evils of prolonged civil war.
Entertaining these views, l cannot counse
Maryland to take sides against the general 60
yernment until il shall commit outrages upon N
which would justify us in resisting its authority
As consequence, can give no other connse
than that We shall array ourselves for the unlol
and pence, md thus preserve our soil from heinl
polluted with the blood Of our brethren. Thus
If the war must be between the north and thu
south, we may force the contending parties t.
transfer the field Of battle from our soil, so tia
our lives and property may be secure.
In seems to me that, independently Of all othe
considerations, our geographical position force
us TO this. unless we are willing to see OUR Stat
the theatre Of n long and bloody civil war, an
the consequent utter destruction Of every ma
terial interest of our people. not to say anythin
Of the blood of brave men and innocent wo
men and children who will cry out from on
coil for vengeance upon us If we fail 10 do a
that in uB lies to avert the impending calamity
The course | suggest has all the while been III
sole ground work Of my policy, and, but for th
excitement prevailing among our people durin
the past few days, l believe the object hhS
kept steadily in view during my Administrative
, would have been contaminated, II it has faile
| have the full consciousness that, thrOughol
the whole Of my harrassing and painful incum
bency Of the gubernatOrial chair, have Lahore
honestly and faithfully for the peace the safei
and the interests Of Maryland and Of our con
mon country. This consciousness has fully sui
/ tanned me 10 all my troubles, and has enabled II
to endure patiently all the cruel unmerited an
> heartless attacks that have been made upon m
integrity. have also the comfort in the conviI
tion that my policy has been sustained by larl
majority of the people, and that nothing thu
. has transpiIed since the recent lamentable OF
currenoeH within our State has shaken TIL
conviction.
momentary frantic excitement took tho pal
Of reason and good judgment; and men for Il
time, threw aside all prudent thoughts of Il
future, in the burning desire to avenge VIII
I' they considered wrongs. ! submit my sugge
o tions to yonr wisdom, and appeal to you, n
only As devoted citizens of Maryland, but
= husbands and fathers, to allow that prudence NJ
8 chrsiian-like temper so honorable 10 all men,
l. guide your counsels; and ! implore you not
o be swayed by tho passions which seem to he
Il fully aroused In our midst, to do what the gen
. rations to come after us shall ever deplore.
o conclusion, gentlemen, | nsk your indulgence
! have omitted TO present to you any other ma
= ter OF interest in connection with the importa
b subject which you are summoned to consde
The short time have had in which to prepa
y this communication, aud the turmoil and excit
ment around me, may have caused omissions;
= SO, they will be promptly supplied when indie
e ~ UoItTnAV Hinge