Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1861-10-11
Peace Resolutions of the MARYLAND
Legislatures


Wy HEREAs in the Judgment Of the General
Assembly of Maryland, the war now waged
by the Government Of the United States upon
the people OF the Confederate States is uncon-
sttutional in its origin, purposes and conduct;
repugnant TO civilization and sound policy
subversiye of the free principles upon which
Federal Union was founded, and certain TO re-
suit in the hopeless and bloody overthrow Of
our existing institutions; and
WHEREAS, the people OF Maryland, while re-
cognizing the obligation of their State us q
member of the Union, to submit in good faith
to the exercise Of all the legal and constitu-
tional powers of the General Government, and
to join as one man in fighting IFS authorized
battles do reverence, nevertheless, the great
American principle of sclfgovernment and
aympathi1e deeply with their Southern breth-
rem in their noble and manly determination TO
uphold and defend the same and
WHEREAs, not merely on their own account
and to turn away from their own soil the ca
lamities of civil war, but for the blessed sake
of humanity, and TO avoid the wanton she'd
ding of fraternal blood, in a miserable contest
which can bring nothing with it but sorrow
shame and desoation, the people of Maryland
are enlisted, with their whole hearts, on the
side of reconciliation and peace now, there.
fore, il is hereby
Resotred By he General assembly Of Nary
Laad, That the State of Maryland owes it to
Her own sclf-respect and her respect for the
constitution, not less than to her deepest and
most honorable sympathies, TO register this her
solemn protest against the war which the Fe-
deral Government has declared upon the Con-
iadcratc States of the South, and our sister
and neighbor Virginia, and 70 announce her
pesolute determination TO have no part or lot
directly or indirectly, in its prosecution.
Resolred, That the State Of MARYLAND earn
estly and anxiousy desires the restoration Of
Peace between the belligerent sections of the
country, and the President, authorities, and
people OF the Confederate States, having, over
and over again, officially and unoiically, de-
clared that they are willing to throw down
the sword, the instant that the sword now
drawaagainst them shall be sheathed, the Sc
majors ana Delegates Of Maryland do boseech
ana implofe the President OF the United States
10 accept the olive branch which is thus held
OUT 10 nm and in the name OF God and hui
manity, TO cease this unholy and most wretch
ed and Improbable strife, at least until the
ASCENDING OF Congress in Washington shall
nave given time for the prevalence of cooler
and better coansels
hesoipef, That tho State of Maryland desires
the peaceful aud immediate recognition of thc
independence of the Confederate States and
Hereby gives her cordial assent lhereunio. as a
member of the MISUNDERSTANDING the nro-
found conviction that the willing return Of The
Southern people to their former Federal rcla-
lions Is a thing beyond hope and that the at
tempt TO coerce them will only add slaughter
aud hate TO imposdbility.
isssofoef That the present military occupa-
tom Of Maryland, being for purposes, in The
opinion of this legislature, in fragrant viola
ton Of the Constitution, the General Assembly
or the state, ia the name of her people, does
hereby protest against the same, and against
the oppressive restrictions and ilegalities with
which Il is attended; calling upon ali good
citizens a. the same time, and In the most
earnest and authoritative manner, 10 abstain
from all violent and unlawful interference, Of
every sort, with the troops in transit through
our territory or qnartered among us, and pa-
tently and peacefully to leave 70 time and rea-