Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1861-10-25

maintained consistently with the COM
promises of the Constitution and / am
for redressing the wrongs of the South
in the Union by peaceful remedies, and
until such remedies are exhausted by
fair trial. Let our war cry be: The
Union, and the rights of all under it, in
undivided fortune and glory"
Can any fair-minded person charge
these men with desire to break up the
Union, or to involve the country in civil
war? These sentiments were echoed by
the Southern press, and responded to by
the conservative press of the North.
Meetings were held in every quarter to
arouse the public mind to tbo necessities
which the momentous crisis demanded
But the Republican press only ridiculed
the attitude of the South, dared them to
secede, and became still more violent
and denunciatory. The State Legisla-
lures in session, with one exception, re-
fused to repeal the Personal Liberty
Bills, or to take any steps towards CON
ciliation The principles of their party,
so recently and emphatically endorsed
by the Northern people, were not to be
yielded at that early day, even at the
risk of divided country When Sena-
tor Seward, approaching tho danger, de-
clared in his speech last winter his readi-
ness to make reasonable concessions for
the sake of the Union, the Tribune de-
clared that he did not represent the SEN
timent of the party, and that they "pre-
Jerrcd their principles 10 fifty Unions"
The party press at once echoed this as
sertion. Thus matters went on until the
converting of congress Even then, and
during the session, the efforts of South
ern statesmen were undated to effect a
peaceful adjustment, and if possible to
restore the Union then already sunder-
ed. Jefferson Davis, in Congress, Dec
10th, said:
1.-The union of States forms in my
Judgment the best government instituted
among men. 1t is only necessary to
carry it out in the spirit in which it was
formed Our fathers made a uuion of
friendly States. Now hostility has been
substituted for fraternity call on all
men who have hearts, and vino love The
Union, to look the danger in the face
= = Our people are prepared to do
Justice. 4 This Union Is dear to
me as union of fraternal States. 1t
would lose its value if the Union had to
be held together by armed physical
force. Hostility, not fraternity, would
then exist in the hearts of the people"
Said Mr.. Cobb, Of Alabama, in the
House
d" am not a secessionst [ desire
peace, predicated on the principles of the
Constitution. If you can give us that,
you can help us to remain in the Union
as long as the sun shall shine; and my
prayer shall be sent forth for the perpe-
tuity of the Government
And Senator Wigfall, of Texas, Dec
18th, said =" We will have peace, and
if you don't give it to us, we will quietly
have our rights under the Constitutional
compact, or withdraw from the Union"
Senator Toombs (Jan. 7th, renewed
the demands of the South, and contended
that such demands were only for an
equality in tho Union. lie himself was
willing to defend the Constitution with
the haltar around his neck"
Senator Jefferson Davis, again, Jan
11th, said:
"Long have I offered propositions for
equality in the Union Not a single
Republican has voted for them. ] do
not regard constitutional government
a failure. Regarding the settlement of
difficulties, the President himself says he
has no power-he has thrown it upon
you-hc has told you the responsibility
is upon you If you decide right, the
angel of peace will spread her wings"
Mr. Hill, Of Ga, expressed the belief
that the South is approachable with rea-
son, and earnestly appealed Cor concilia-
ton. let the people have time to speak.
He would await the result with conf
dencc and hope. He wished it borne in
mind that be belonged not to the class Of
men who would dismember the confcde-
racy. lie would as soon take a glass
vessel and crush it to pieces to make it
better one, as TO attempt to make a bet
ter government by crushing the present
into atoms
Mr.. Gimer, of North Carolina, did
not think it too late yet to do something
by which this Government can be pre-
served, and pence and harmony restored
10 the greatest nation and people on the
earth
The public cannot have yet forgotten
he struggles in Congress for the preser-
gation of the Union, the fate Of various
plans Of compromisc--many Of which
would have been accepted by the seeded
the action Of Thirteen and
rhirty-three. The Republicans Defeated
III attempts for peaceful settlement.
Even when Southern Senators and
representatives withdrew, upon the
passage Of the ordinance Of secession by
heir respective States, many of them
an earnest desire that some
hing might yet be done to reaore the
Union, and that relations Of peace might
&c continued. Senator Slidell, Of Lou
oiapa, said, on taking leave:
They hope and wish for peace, but
he decision Of this questson rests with
he Free States. He had no doubt If
he issue was fairly presented to the
'eoplc Of the States, they might have a
PEACEFUL separation, with the possibility
nd probability Of a complete or partial
construction.