Civilian & telegraph. [volume] (Cumberland, Md.) 1859-1875, 1861-01-24
T. II HICKS
Gorernor IF Maryidno

GOreraDr Y .H1Tyfdh".
Sm:-I ain indebted TO your courtesy
for All official copy Of your address to the
people of Maryland.
had already read it through. in an
o.aer form, with intense interest.
In ordinary times, | should not feel
!; TO be right 20 iutrudc on yon with an
expression Of my private opinion.
Ba; in tho present emergency even
the !eas, contribution OF support to one
in high place exposed to extraordinary
assault upon lis Ermness and integrity,
u.ay be neither uopportune nor unwel-
come.
| have been in ten counties of this
State since the lst of November, in each
Of them cOuversaut with some among the
most influential and respectable men of
the county, In all without any excep-
i;,ns, | have found convictions of the
present daty and policy of Maryland, in
the main AGREEING with those expressed
by your Address. almost exclusively
prevalent among those with whom !
met
Nav be allowed to say, that IN my
own opinion. your foEeible, frank, man,
" and true hearted statement Of your
policy aud the grounds on which i. has
been adopted aud will To maintained,
caunot but be attended tunde. tie D.
vine blessing) with tie Lagpies; re-
suits.
belong to no party. and have never
in any way, mingled in political Gircus-
sions or contests: bu: it is not possible,
in twenty years incessant and close stud
o. Maryland aud its people, not to
lave formed pretty clear and s,rong opin-
ions Of the prospects and interests Of the
State. Nine. such as they are, bear
uut fully everything that you have as
sumed or asserted concerning those it,
tere.rs and prospects in your address
Ny humble efforts, therefore, shall not
be wanting in my sphere, to back your
noble pcrsistency in keeping Marylan
in her only true, right, safe attitude of
Of diguiG-d and quiet expectation Of leg
it,mate address Of past wrongs and pro-
vision against contingent dangers, in
the regular working OF the Constitution
al Government of the United States
For what you have already done to
that effect and are still doing, be pleas
ed to accept the very sincere expression
of the warm admiration and heartiest
thanks.
OF your personally obliged
And truly grateful
Friend and Servant
W. r. WITTINGHAM.
Baltimore Jan. 9th, 1861.
To this the Governor made an ap-
propriate reply, and asked for permits
sion to publish the letter of the Bishop,
believing that it would tend greatly to
allay the excitement Of the people. To
which the Bishop made the following res
ponse:
70 HIS ExCELLEScY
7. ii. HICKS,
Gorernor of Maryland.
.SIR:-Gratifed and obliged as am
by your very kind acknowledgement OF
my letter of the 9th, and earnestly de-
sirous to aid you in the noble work Of
preserving Maryland from the disturb
ance of her strong position, | should hes
itate about acceding to your proposal to
publish what | wrote, did suppose that
it could by any possibility be understood
as an Infringing in political discus
s;ons.
As Minister of Christ, serve Mas
ter who disclaims interference in secu-
lar affairs, beyond the line of enforcing
individual duty, and general peace and
quietness.
But an obedience to constituted civil
government, and observance of contract
even to ones own hurt, are clearly laid
down in His Word, as duties to be en-
forced on His authority; aud Ito main
tain and set forward as much as shall
lie in me, quietness, love and peace a.
mong all men, is an obligation of my
Office to which l was solemnly sworn, on
admission to its responsibilities; the pur-
pose, therefore. "to keep Maryland out
of strife and true to recognized relations
and engagements is one that I am bound
to further, if can.
Ii my testimony as to the opinion of
others, observed as l have had opportu-
nifty, aud expression of my own person
al con victious, formed with some advan-
tages as to knowledge cfthe State and
its people, tend to further such a purpose,
have no right to withhold them.
firmly believe that in resisting the