New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1861-01-09

tie actual CONDITION oil the question as oeeve II 10
be, and giving my convictions OF what Is required
of me in this crisis. r
From the location Of the National Capital within our
limits, and our peculiar geographical position, Mary.
land would inevitably become the chosen battle-ground
of the sections in the event of Her long line Of
exposed frontier would be open to attack from every
quarter and her peaceful waters would soon become
the tEeater of this horrd contest. 1t needs argu
ment to convince rejecting mind that such war
would bring upon more than the usual accom-
pannents of war--loss Of life, destruction of all do
nestle peace, oppressive taxaion-ruinous defreca-
ton Of property, and almost universal bankruptcy.
AS border slayehoding State, she would especially
suffer in the utter destruction of cherished institution
with which all our sympathies are firmly united. A
brave people, forced into necessary war; would par,
TALLY estimate these great evils and Maryland
never has been, and never will be- found backward in
such q contest But no man who has IA real stake In
the community, would consent to embark In such
future if it could be avoided with honor.
j firmly believe that the division OF this Govern
ment would inevitably produce civil war The seces-
sion leaders in South Carolina, and fanatical dema-
pogues of the North have alike proclaimed that such
would lie the result and no man OF sense, In my opn-
ion, can question 1t.
Ia il not, then, the bounden duty of all of us, and
especially of those placed In authority TO endeavor TO
prevent the of such catastrophe by oppo
sing anything even tending to produce il 7
Ifervenly hope, and firmly believe, that the Union
may be preserved Our forefathers would not have
admitted that the Government was utterly dissolved
the Hartford Convention had resolved the New-En
gland States ont of the Union; agree that
similar resolves passed by the Conventions Of one or
two half dozen Of the Cotton States, should be
considered as working its dis solution nj this time. II
is yet, thank God, in full existence, recognized by
every Government on the globe, and prepared and
willing 10 redress, with the whole power Of the nation
any iDdignity injury inflicted by the proudest Power
earth upon the humblest citizen OF South Carolina
or any other State.
How shall we preserve this Union, founded by the
labos and prayers OF our ancestors and cemened with
their precious blood
Each one of ts has his part TO perform n this Of
love, and each OF you has responsibilities conHected
with it, as myself have. UR0p each private citizen
devolves that duty 20 earnestly pointed out by the
Father Of his Country, of chershng by every word
and deed Interchangeable devotion to it. and frowning
Indignantly upon every attempt TO destroy 1t. Upon
hose in official positions is imposed the responsible
task Of 70 exercising the power committed TO the that
those who would drive headlong into war and mis-
cry shall derive no assistance in their mistaken and
criminal coarse from those who onght 10 oppose them
II is unnecessary for me 10 make extravagant pro-
essons of devotion to the South Such protestations
may be necessary from imported Northern politicians,
who by indirect abuse of their own Northern brethren
and trucking lattery TO the Southern people, have
worked themselves, and are hoping still further to
work themselves, into power IN the South am
Marylander by birth and descent and by residence
of more than sixty years Every dollar Of property
own is invested in this State. am aslayeholder,
by accident but by purchase out of the hard earn
ings Of long life of toll have not conviction or
have lived and should be sorry to be Obliged TO
live, in State where Slavery does not exist, and
never will do so if / can help it. Whatever would
impair the rights of shareholders in Maryland would
equally inure me, and the instinct Of selfinerest If
no higher motive, would impe me 10 stand by the
South while life shall last.
With these feelings and under conscientious sense
of NV obligations before God and man. l have calmly
considered my duty in this emergency Two courses
were before me. The one was to suffer myself 10 be
buniedly borne along into the turmoil of the political
movements of the day, without any effort TO subdue Its
violence and joning in the cry OF disunon, TO allow
MARYLAND to slide into the ranks Ct the seeding States
This course would have been by far the easier, the
most certain TO find favor with the floating mass OF
noisy politicians who only breathe with comfort
in an atmosphere heavy with discord and excitement
1t would have secured me the ephemeral outward
popularity Of the day. and might have spared my hum
bic nsnne many an execraton and Islander which the
advocates of this policy have heaped upon it. But
nest sOlemny believe that it would have brought ruin
upon my country; and would rather die a thousand
deaths than be instrumental IN accomplishing snch q
result. therefore adopted the other eourse-to wait
with csmness the progress Of eveutsto remember my
Joint obligations 10 the Constitution of the United
States and OF Mary land both of which have repeat
edly sworn 10 support; and must try to allay that
fearful excitement which threseningto undermine
and destroy that sacred palladium Of our liberties
mted 10 us by the Great Father Of the Republic who
has raised us TO be Power among the nations, and
which is ardently Cherished by the people OF Mary
land knew that the adoption OF this course would
bring upon violent abuse, subject to slanderous
reports from those whose particular schemes IL might
frustraie and, what most Of all regretted, would
subject me TO the eensure OF good men whose conyic
tiOns on the subject might be different from my own
Believing that the interests of Maryland were bound
up with those Of the Border Slaveholdlng States,
have been engaged for months past in full inter-
change of views with the Governors Of Virginia. Ken
lucky, Tennessee, and Missouri, with view TO
cered action on our part These consultations which
still in progress feel justified in saying, have re-
quilted in good that when the proper time for action
Il. iu Haa
tiny, will, trust, be prepared TO act together.
have been urged by considerable number OF citi
yens the Legislature in special session,
the proper measure TO lie adopted at this time After
most anxious and conscientious examination Of the
question: have failed TO be convinced Of the necessity
on propnety Of such course. The Consultation, IN
DtrusiiDg discretionary power TO the Governor OF
calling such session. never designed that he should
act in such serious matter upon the Judgment or con-
vctions of other men, and in opposition to the clear
and unbiased dictates OF his own conscience. He was
not intended to be mere machine to act In this matter
when others should deem II necessary, although he
himself might feel morally certain that it would be
unwise and dangerous. have, therefore, felt obliged
TO decide this question for myself, subject TO the dread
responsibilities which attach 10 those who corruply
or against their judgments violate official oath.
have been fOrcbly impressed with the fact,
sidering this question: that every Disunonist in Mary
land land TO shame be il spoken, there some
such among us il earnest advocate for the immed
ate call Of the Legislature. One Of the papers today
which adopted resolution in favor of immediate
cesslm, which was warmly advocated by the present
Speaker Of the House Of Delegates, and the last Of
tie series Of resolutions directs the appointment OF
Committee TO urge upon me TO convene that House Of
Delegates forthwith. 1t seems to me that measure
thus earnestly advocated by those who bent upon
the destruction Union and the happiness Of
State can hardly be the proper means OF presery
ing both.
have hitherto forborne TO dwell particularly upon
an objection to this which deserves to be
ia mo ,ba