Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1861-03-01
FepRUARY 18th. 1861

name OF VIM. Reading.
Mr.. Reading tries to make the i'm
preston, that he sympathizes deeply with
the South but l think he has more SYM
pathy for the North than for the South,
Judging from the tenor of his address.
Notwithstand "our rights have been at
tackled and grossly iaSoltcd by some Of the
people Of tie North, I CHR. Reading) am
altogether opposed to secession from the
Constitution of the United States and
the Union, as means of redress and
safety" Then, since the gentleman ad-
mits that the "rights of the South have
been attacked and grossly insulted," will
he be so kind as to suggest some plan by
which our grievances may be redressed,
without resorting to secession ? Have we
not asked of the North all that a people
could ask Have we not, from time to
time, asked a redress of grievances in a
"calm, deliberate and respectful man.
ner?" How have our requests been treat
ed by the Republicans of the North ?
Why, sir, they have been treated with
disrespect and contempt In what 'spi-
rit" would the gentleman have us to
ask redress and concession ? Would he
have the Southern people to throw them
selves at the feet of the heartless Repub-
licans, as humble suppliants, praying and
crying for mercy, to be spurned as men
unworthy of their consideration? or would
he have the South to wait for an indef-
mite period of time, settlement of the
questions Of the day, Or submit tamely to
the encrOachments and insults of the
North until she is willing to make con-
cessions? No, the South will never sub
nit, while there is one of her gallant
sons to bear arms. The time mas passed
for concessions. All things reasonable
have proved unavaiiing; and now the
South has taken stand. God grant she
may be able to sustain it with honor and
credit.
For the past forty years the North has
been hostile to the South and why ?
Because it cannot endure the leproSy of
stdUery. 1t has refused US the right to
pass through the North with our proper
ty, in violation of the constitution it has
refused US a share in the territory Of the
United States; it has refused to deliver
up criminals against our laws, who have
fed to the North with our property; il
threatens punishment to those who at.
tempt to. recover their property; it has
invaded the borders of the Southern
States, burned the dwellings, and muir.
dered their inhabitants. We have borne
all this patiently, with hope that such
troubles would soon end but there is now
no hope. A heartless majority in the
North are against US, as demonstrated by
the election Of Mr.. Lincoln, whose aim
and object is to destroy the institution
of slavery.
The platform Of the Republican party
| regard as declaration of war against
the South. 1t declares the negro to be
equal with the white man, and entities
him to all the privileges and immunities
that we enjoy. Can we submit to be 60
verned by a man whose feelings, politi-
cally and religiously, are so ahtagonistical
to our own? No, we cannot and will
not, until we have sufficient guarantees
that we shall enjoy all our just rights I'M
der such an administration.
Mr.. r. seems to think we are much
better off in the Union under any con-
sideration, than we could possibly be out
Of it," | cannot agree with the gentle
man. If the Union depends upon a sa-
crlfce Of our liberties, let US dissolve it.
If we cannot 90 out of the Union peacca-
bly, and quietly, and not have our rights
restored, then let us sever the ties which
bind US to the Union, as our forefathers
severed the ties which bound them to the
mother country.
Could we expect to recover orr pro-
perty after escaping into the Northern
States if the Union was dissolved? We
could not; therefore we would not run the
risk Of losing our lives to recover it, but
would be more careful in preventing it
from escaping and VIC would not be
basely nsulted, as We now are, for assert
ing our rights, which are almost invaria-
bly, denied us by the North
/ think the gentleman does South Ca
rolina great injustice in saying that {" she
has moched the Holy name Of God, by
calling for blessing in an unholy and
wicked course" If South Carolina has
Knocked the Holy name of God" in
doing what she has done, then the Go
eminent of which he speaks in such
glowing terms, or, in other words, our
forefathcrs, who declared the colonies
free and independent, must have "mock-
cd tho name Of God, i" when they invok-
ed His blessing upon their course. The
prayers Of our forefathers were answer
ed, but not as Mr.. X. seems to think
the prayers " Of South Carolina will
be answered. Time, hope, will show
plainly to the mind Of Mr. II. that the
cause in which South Carolina and her
dignifed sisters are struggling, is not
only a just cause, but glorious and q
holy one.
Mr.. II. seems TO have great horror
of " Staying" Northern men who may
invade our State, under the Star Span
gled Banner" to force us to respect an
administration dangerous to our prospc-
rity and happiness. Would be prefer
4" Staying" his Southern bretheren in
the South, whose interests are identified
with bis own, to those whose aim and
object are to take from Us our dearest
rights7 If he be a true Southcrner,
think upon due reflection he would not
Mr.. x. applauds very highly TIC course