Daily Democrat and news. [volume] (Davenport, Iowa) 1859-1864, 1861-01-08
TELEGR A PHO
Letter OF Gov. Hicks.

BALrInoRE. Jan. S.
Gov Hicks publishes IN address to the eiti-
zens of Msrylsnd, giving bis reasons for refus
ing TO convene the legislature. 1t fila two
columns Of the Amevieon, and abounds with
most emphatic Union sentimenta The follow
ing are extrscts:
II firmly believe that division Of this gov.
srnment would inevitably produce civil war
The secession leaders Of south Carolina and
the fanatical demagogues Of the North, have
alike proclaimed that snch will be the result
and no man Of sense. in my opinion, can ques-
,ion it. What could the Legislature do 10 this
crisis If convened. to remove the present
troubles which beset the Union. We are told
by the leading apirits of the South Caroline
Convention that neither the election Of MIR.
Lincoln or the non execution Of the fugitive
slave law, u or both cont mb,ned. constitute their
grievances. They declare that the real cause
OF the discomfort dates as far back ss 1852
Maryland and every other state in the Union,
with unite voice then dec ared the cauee in
sufficient to justify the course of South Carroll
ma Can it be the people who then unanimous
ly supported the cause cf General Jackeon, " i'll
now yield their opinions at the bidding Of mod
ern seceseionists | have been told that the
position of Maryland should be defined so that
both sections could understand it. Do any
really misunderstand her position, who that
wishes to understand it, can fail to do 60 il the
action of The Legislature would be simply to de
clare that Maryland was with the South, sym
pathy and feeling, that she demands trom the
North the repeal Of oppressive and unconst'tu-
tional statutes. and appeals to it for new guar
antees. That che walt . reasonable time for
the North to page her statute books so ss to
do justice TO her southern brethren, and if Eer
appeals are vain, will maks common cause
with her sister border States in resistance to
tyranny, il need be. 1t would only be saying
what the W hole co.. ntry knows, and what ma !
be said much more eifectually by her people
themselves than by the Legislature chosen
eighteen months since. None of these ques-
tions were before them; that Marylan is a
Southern conservative State, all know, who
know her people or her history. the
business and agricultural cllsses, plant
era. mechanics. and lahoring men,
tho.e who have the real stake in the commu-
nifty, who would be forced to pay the taxes
and do the fighting. are the srsons no should
be he ard in preference to excited politicians
many Of whom, having nothing to loose from
the destruction Of the Government. may hope
to derive some e. ia from the ruin OF the State.
Such ruin would materially urge you to pull
down the pillars of this accursed MON. which
their allies at the North have denomina' ed a
covenant with he'll. The people Of Mary land.
ifleft to themselves. would decide. with scarcely
an exception. that there is nothing in the pres.
snt causes Of complaint to justify lmmediut-
secession, and yet, against our judgm' Mt and
solemn conviction Of duty, We are preciptated
into civ war because South Carolina thinks
differently. Are We no equals. or shsll not her
opinion control our actions after we have col
ennly declared for ourselves, as every man
must do, are we to be forced to yield our opin-
IONS to those Of another State. and thus in eff
feet, obey her mandat.l She refuses to wait
tor our councils-are bound to obey her
commaudsl The men who have embarked in
this sche eme to convene the Legislature will
spare no pains to carry their point The whole
plan OF operations. IN the event of the Assem-
blage Of the Legislature, is as | have beer in
formed already marked out. The list OF am
bassadors, who are to visit the other States, is
already agreed on, ard the resolutions. which
they hope will be passed by the Legislature.
fully committing this State to secession, are
said to be already prepared. In the course OF
nature, l cannot have long to live. and fer
vently trust TO be allow ed TO end my days a
citizen Of this glorious Union but should be
compelled TO witness the dow nfall Of that gov
eminent inherited from our fathers established
as it were by the special favor of God-I viii!
at least have the consolation at my dy ing hour
that l, neither by word or deed, assisted in
Fastening It's disruption. Signed
Tnos. II. Hicks.