St. Mary's beacon., 1861-12-12

w ANs IVA Lee i H OxltCDh
the destruction Of the vity Of Baltimore.
might have called ont the militia 70 en-
deasor 10 restore quiet, and indeed I did
make an effort to that ead. But I dis
covered that nearly I'll the o6csrs vsre
in league with the conspirabors. md The
veluntesr corps. Of the city and vieinitY,
wbish p0ssessed arms, wess ra1ncek Z
tirely in the same category. Il il true
there was . considerable loyal military
force in Baltimore. but il was undisciplined
and entirely unarmed. So that If I had
effectively called out the militia, at that
time, I should have actually assisted the
eonspirators in their designs.
concluded, therefore, after anxious
elaboration, that there was but one course
LEFT to me. ! summoned the Legislature
to assemble at Frederick city. in the
midst Of loyal population. on the 26th
day of April, believing that even the
few days thus gained would be invalua-
bic.
By the merciful Intervention of Provi-
dence this step accomplished my full pur-
pose. The State could not secede, and
bloodshed was averted from her soil.
The history Of that Legislature is be-
fore the country. Not only did it fail
to do its duty, as representing . loyal
State, but it actually passed reasonable
resolutions. and attempted to take, un-
lawfully, into its hands both the purse
and the sword, whereby it might plunge
Us into the vortex of Secession. II was
deferred from doing this latter only by
the unmistalable threats of IN aroused
aud indignant people.
Restricted in the duration Of its ses-
sions by nothing but the will of the
majority Of its members. it met again
and again; squandercd the peoples money,
and made itself a mockery before the
country. This continued until the Gen..
eral Government had ample reason to
believe it was about to 60 through the
farce Of enacting IN Ordinance Of Seces-
sion; when the treason was summarily
stopped by the dispersion of the traitors.
lnasmuch as the Legislature in orji-
nary times is presumed to represent the
people Of q State. the treasoGaLis setsss
Of the late Senate and House of Delegates
has apparently placed Maryland in an
attitude Of hostility to the General Gov
eminent, aud her Union-loving people in
q false and unwarrantable position.
say apparently, because the votes of the
people on the 18th of June, and again
on the 9th of November, have declared
in most emphatic tones what l have
never doubted, that Maryland has no
sympathy with rebellion, and desires to
do her full share in the duty If sup
pressing it.
Looking, therefore, to the evil done
by your predecessors, and deeming it
impossible to mistake the wishes Of the
people, as expressed at the ballot box, i
have not hesitated to convene your hon.
orable bodies in special session, in order
that you may At once perform the will
Of the people. ~ taking such steps a.
will, in your wisdom. seem most efec.
tive to viudicate the honor and loyalty
of our State.
have such confidence in the courage,
ability and patriotism which I know to
exist in this Senate and House Of Dele.
gate. that might we'll hers conclude
this communication. l feel sure that no
topic on which you should take action
will escape your discernment. But in
accordance with custom, and with. the
requirements Of my duty. I herewith res
pectfully offer some brief suggestions il
regard to the more prominent topics which
demand your immediate and careful at
tcntion.
The taxpayers in Maryland are look
ing with great interest for your action in
regard to the best method Of raising the
money which is required to pay our
proportion Of the National tax levied by
Congress 10 aid in defraying the expenses
Of the war. and also the other sums which
will be necessary to enable this State to
follow her own former patriotic example
and that of her loyal sisters.
Our proportion Of the National tax
amounts to the sum Of four hundred and
thirty-six thousand, eight hundred and
twenty-three dollars and thirty three cents;
and Congress has allowed fifteen per CEN
tum Of this sum to be detained BY rs to
defray the costs and charges of collecting
the same.
1t is impossible for me to offer any
estimate of the amount that will be neces-
sary for the other purposes l have indica-
ted. hut I look upon. the whole subject
as one in which dollars and cents should
net be regarded. The rebellion i to Be
put down, no matter 1t what cost. Our
State must bear her share Of the expense,
and our people have shown their desire 10
do so BY casting N overwhelming msjori-
ty Of their votes in favor Of the nainten-
aIlce Of the Union n
Yours, then, should be no uieRard
hand In this case liberality viii be
esouony; aud the people look q you thus
70 vindicate their devotion 70 he Govern
ment- ~
A direct tax. to raise the necessary
amount. would. in my opinion. fall heavi-
~ upon the people 1t this time. because
vi the partial prostrxtion Of the mercsusils
anu Industrial purSuits. Of cvus,e. II the