Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1861-01-16
ADDRESS OF GOV. HICKS.

His Execllency, Thomas HI. Hicks, Govern
or of Maryland, has issued address to the
citizens of that State, giving his reasons for
refusing to convene the Legislature. 1t a.
bounds in the most emphatic Union sentiments.
The following are extracts -
s'l firmly believe that division of this gov
ernment would inevitably produce civil war.
The secession leaders in South Carolina, and
the fanatical demagogues of the North, have
alike proclaimed that such would be the re-
suit, and no man Of sense, in my opinion, can
question it. What could the Legislature do
in this crisis, if convened, to remove the pres
ent troubles which beset the Union? We are
told by the leading spirits OF the South Caro-
lima Convention, that neither the election of
Mr.. Lincoln nor the non-execution of the Fu-
gitiye Slave Law, nor both combined, consti-
tute their grievances. They declare that the
real cause of their discomfort dates as far back
as 1888. Maryland: and every other State in
the Union, with united voice, then declared
the cause insufficient to justify the course of
South Carolina. Can it be that this people,
who then unanimously supported the cause of
Gen. jackson, will now yield their opinions
at the bidding of modern secessionists. l
have been told that the position of Maryland
should be defined, so that both sections could
understand it. Do any really understand her
position Who that wishes to understand it
csn fail to do so If the action of the legis-
lature would be simply to declare that Mary
land is with the South in sympathy and feeling;
that she demands from the North the repeal
of offensive, uncon stitutional statutes and ap-
pealS to ii for new guarantees that she Will
wait reasonable time for the North to purge
her statute books and to do justice to.her South
ern brethern, and if her appeals are vain, will
make cummon cause with her sister border
States in resistance to tyranny if need be, it
would only be saying what the country well
knows, and what may be said much more ef
fectually by her people themselves in their
meetings than by the Legislature chosen eigh-
teen months since. when none of these qucs-
tions were before them. That Maryl lind is a
conservative Southern State, all know who
know anything about her history. The busi-
ness and agricultural classes-planters, mer-
chants, mechanics, aud laboring men those
who have a real stake in the community, who
would be forced to pay taxes and do the fight
ing, are the persons who should be heard in
preference to ezcited politicians, many of
whom, having nothing to lose from the destruc-
tion of the government, may hope to derive
some gain from the ruin of the State. Such
men will naturally urge you to pull down the pill
lars of this ssaccursed Union,'' which their al
lies at the North have denominated "cove-
nant with hell" .ua-s-e t
ssIn the course of nature, L cannot have
long to live, and fervently trust to be allow
ed to end my days citizen Of this glorious
Union. But, should be compelled TO witness
the downfall of that Government inherited
from our fathers, established, as it were, by
the special favor of God, / will at least have
the consolation. at my dying hour, that L
neither by word nor deed assisted in hasten
ing its disruption"