St. Mary's beacon., 1861-12-12

thisers With and abettors Of the rebellion.
who. IN some way. keep up eoumunica-
ton with and give aid and comfort to the
Confederates.
Let rs endeavor TO put m end 10 these
nsfarious Praetiess y in6isting severe
Puniahment upoa these oGenders aesiusl
the Peace Of Ibis State - veil q z.Sains,
us. Such . course viii also messursbly
relieve loyal citizens, IN many parts Of
the State, from the numerous snnoy.n.
ces and prosecutions to which they have
been 50 long subjected at the hands Of
their secessionist neighbors, and which
have undoubtedly increased to their pres
ent embarrassing proportion because Of
the imPupity With which men have here
tofore been allowed to act REASONABLY.
The object and intention of the Gov
eminent in the war forced upon it 10
defence Of the Union. as declared in
the patriotic Proclamation Of General
DIX at restoring the Gag in tho counties
on the Eastern Shore Of Virginia. and
Ut General Sherman, in South Carolina.
are entitled to and will receive the SUD.
port Of our people.
The condition Of the Baltiomore and
Ohio Railroad and of the Chesapeake
and Ohio Canal requires action on your
part. The re-opening of these great
works to traffic and travel is of immense
importance not only to the people direct
y. but ~ bearing on the future Of our
financial resources. The Statement made
By the President Of the Baltimore and
Ohio Roilroad Company is here with sub
United.
Other topics of less importance not
necessarily requiring immed: ate attention
will be presented 10 detail in my COM
munication to you At the opening Of
your regular session.
In conclusion, gentlemen, I eoueratu-
late you, and the people Of the State,
upon the immunity We have enioyed
from the dreadful evils which have ial.
len upon some of the other States.
While carnage and desolatiou have
stalked through Virginia. Kentucky and
Missouri: We here in Maryland have
had no battle-6eljs, no wantoa destrue.
tion Of homes. NO outrages upon help.
less women and children.
True, in every section of the State
rancor and deadly hatred. and 10 some
cases even judicial persecution. have
been openly INDUCED against those whose
ouly offence is loyalty to the Government.
But this hatred. bitterness and persecu.
ton have not yet culminatsd into blood
shed. The tread Of hostile armies has
not yet interfered With the calling Of
husbandman. but the earth has Welded
moro beautifully than ever before.
If the thunders Of artillery can be heard
upon our borders, II our industrial pur-
suits have been prostrsted to some extent
BY the national calamity. We have ye.
had peace in our midst. BY the blessing
Of Heaven We have been spared the dread.
full evils and horrors inseparably connected
with war. For all this We have abundant
reason to be thankful.
Aud in view of this We can vet afford
to pardon those who shall nov cease from
laboring with zeal worthy of better
cause to stir up discord within our State,
to array brother against brother. and son
against father.
1t is with you to efface whatever disloy-
atty ha' appeared uron our Legislative re-
cords. 1t is also with you to prove that
Maryland 10 not only loyal but patriotic.
Whatever aid we can afford tho Federals
Government should be offered liberally.
promptly. usgrudgingly. The perpetuity
Of the Government is at stake. Maryland
wishes to do her whole duty. and her 10y
al sons have placed her honor in your
keeping. know you will no, betrsy
that trust.%
May Heaven directly you labors, and
may the day be not far distant when this
parricidal war shall cease when, in peace,
the morning sun shall. gid the bright folds
Of our dag, again proudly floating in eve
~ State Of newly and more strongly &C.
mented Union
THos. II. Hicks.