Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1861-05-01
v.py1.Nn rur GOVERNORS MESSAGE

The Baltimore papers bring US copies OF the message
Of Gov Hicks which laid before the tive Houses Of
the legislature in special sessioH at FREDERICK on sat
urday last.
The Governor, after briefly rectng the extraord nary
circumstances the riotous proceedings at Baltimore ano
subsequent NOV mens in transporting troops to Wash
ington) which induced to convene the Legislature
in special session. proceeds to express his views oil Tie
duty OF Maryland in the following terms:
at is nv duty TO advise you OF my own CONVICTIONS
of the proper course to be pursued by Maryland in the
emergency which is upon IL Is OF no consequence
now TO discuss the causes which have induced oul
troubes Let look distressing present. ana tc
our portentous future. The fate OF Maryland and per
haps of her sister Border Slave States will undoubtedly
be seriously affected by the action OF your honorable
bodv Therefore should every good citizen bend all his
energies 10 the task before and therefore should the
anmostes and chickering's oil the pas De forgotten ano
all strike hands in the holy cause OF restoring peace
our beloved State and 10 our common country.
honestly and most earnestly entertain tue concuol
that the only safety of Maryland lies in preserving
neutral poon between our brethren of the North ant
of the South. We have violated no rights OF eithti
section We have been loyal TO the Union. The un
happy contest between the two sections has not Deer
fermented or encouraged by US, although we have sui
fered from il in the past The Impending war mas no
come by any act or by any wish OF ours We have dont
all we could to avert it, We have hoped that Mary
and the other Border Slave States by their conser atvt
nosition ard love for the Union, might have acted al
mediators between the extremes oil ooth secuons ant
thus have prevented the terrible evils oil prolonged
| civil 80
Entertaining these views cannot counsel Maryland
take sides AGAINST the General Government until it shall
commit outra ges upon which would justify us IN re
sstng its authority. As cons quence, can give nc
other counsel than that shall array ourselves or UNION
and peace and thus preserve our SOIL from Deing pout
ed with the blood Of brethren mus war must De De
tween the North and the South we may force the con-
tending parties 10 transfer the field of battle from oui
soil, so that our lives and property may be secure
II seems to me that Independently OF all other con
sderatons geographical position forces US TO this
uness we willing to see our state the theatre OF
long and bloody civil and the consequent utter oe
trcton of every material interest OF our people, to say
nothing of the blood of brave men and innocent women
and children which will cry out from our soil for ven
geance upon us if we fail do all that in US lies to avert
the impending calamity
"The course suggest has all the while been the sole
ground Of my policy But Tor the excitement pre'aili
among our people during the past few days believe the
object have kept steadily in view during my admins.
traIion would have been contaminated If II has failed
have the full consciousness that throughout the whole
of my harassug and painful incumbency OF the Guoerna-
toa chai have laboTed honestly aud faithfully for the
peace the safety, and the interests OF Maryland ana OF
our common country This consciousness has fully sus-
tanned me in all nv troubles and has enabled me TO
dure patiently all the cruel unmerLed aud heartess at
tacks that have been made upon my integrity. have
also comfort in the conviction that my policy has been
sustained by large majority Of the people, and nothing
that has ranspired since the recent lamena6e occur
reuces within our State has shaken that conviction.
momentary frantic excitement took the place Of reason
aud good judgment and men for the time threw aside all
prudent thoughts OF the future in the burning desire to
ayenge what they considered wrongs.
Il submit my suggestions to your wisdom; and APP
neal to YOU not only devoted citizens OF Maryland but
as husbands and fathers, to allow that prudence and
chrsiianlke temper SO honorable to all men to guide
your couuses aud l mplore you not to be swayed BY
the PASSIONS which seem to be fully aroused in our
midst to do what the generations to come after US shall
ever deplore."
In connexion with this message the Governor commu
ncated to the Legislature the correspondence which
took place between himself the Secretary OF War, and
Gen. Butler of Massachusetts,, relative to the landing of
the troops at Annapolis. On this point the Governor
states that aho gh he opposed the transportation OF
troops over the SOL of Maryland tho most learned and
intelligent citizens Of the State admit the right Of the
Government TO such transit