Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1861-03-08
suMNIrpnEpar, Feb. 25th. 1861.
u he Editor ofhe .Sentinel:

As | only claim to. be an "humble
farmer" | did not suppose that any man
of such profound learning and wisdom,
and moreover SO poeticat, as he who
writes over the signature of W." would
think me worthy of comment, for truly |
did not expect to enlighten such arise
minds as his; my reasons are too matter
of-fact for him; his imagination is soar
ing so high that he looks entirely over
them; yet it may be that my humble
brother farmers and others (who have the
right to rotc as well as Miak) will plain
ly see them and have good reason to
believe, that, should vote be taken in
this county upon the question of hasty
secession, even has richly stored mind
will be enlightened, for sec chat politics
is paramount with him.
see in your paper of the 22d ultimo,
that you are informed by gentleman,
signing himself . Montgomery" that |
am a " Northern man, " consequently, he
is pretty sure that | am "mbued with
those feelings of prejudice to the South
which very few in the North have es-
capped"
1t is true that have only resided in
the South but little over nine years: yet
that has proved long enough for me to
become sincerely attached to her, and her
people, and institutions, and interests,
which my actions have proved and they
are said to be the best indec to our minds
and feelings Wonld i'll not seem strange
to you that if | had entertained the feel
ngs of prejudice TO the South, of which
Montgomery" speaks, that | should
have come here and invested all my means
in real estate, and became shareholder,
which Montgomery" knows | have
done
think my interests are identical with
every farmer of Maryland, and in the cx-
preston Of my views, am seeking the
welfare of the State am opposed to
all rash movements; we often do things
in hurry, and repent at leisure
That there are some foolish and wicked
men in the North, is true (and so there
are every wherc;) and that some were
base enough to applaud the course of
John Brown But they were very few
While we know that immense numbers
Of the people there met after the Brown
raid " and condemned them as murder
ers, instead of sympathizing with them i;
and why this necessity, except to satisfy
an unfounded prejudice in the South
against them oH2 They were willing to
go further than their duty to satisfy us.
Now as / have lived in the North, |
kaor them to be human beiags, and as a
peopie to possess as Keen sense Of tiee
hoaor rs IRE; and because there are some
bad men there, we have no right to con-
denim oH-nor is it our interest. When
bad men come here, we hang them, and
our laws prevent iucendiary documents
from coming among us, and what more
could we DO, If we should secedc ? We
may conceive danger IN the Union, but
l'see 10 escape out of it. If We become
weakened by disunion, we may be con-
quered by foreign nations.
AM not fond Of experiments, which
would cost so much, and which may re-
suit SO disastrously, when there is moth
ing to be gained. 1t will be quito time
enough ! think, to seccde when we find
that the incoming administration are in
tefcring with our institutions. We often
find that our imaginary troubles are
great, while the real ones are very small
Mr.. d" Montgomery" thinks it is pre-
sumptuous for me, foreigner, to pretend
to know anything about the " ceilings
and opinions Of this county !" yet have
to inform him that althougha d" foreign
cr," that the right hand Of fellowship I"
has been extended to me here, and the
people have not only extended their hands
very kindly, but have talked to me very
freely upon all subjects, and if | cannot
rrite or hinh properly, God has blessed
nc with hearing, and may therefore,
know something Of the opinions of this
county. And have such degree of
affection for my country, mig teioie conn
try. North and South, and all its inhabi-
tants, that | cannot entertain tie posi-
bility Of a war, Of Jrothcf ogaiaa brother,
without the most awful feelings. And
yet, when read Of all the preparations
North and South, / have much reason to
fear it. Some southerners avow their
determination not to wait for Northern
aggression, but will march upon the
North, while some northeruers, declare
the same worlike spirit. How then shall
we avert the dreadful calamity? BY
qucncbing the fiery darts, which Satan
is hurting among US, to set on fire the
evil passions Of men, and if we have been
vrongcd, let US forgive, not only seven
times, but seventy fines seven, as we
hope to DO forgiven, and all will yet be
well, with the Blessing Of God.
WILLIAM READING.
A SECESSION HoRsg The Lynchburg
Va, Republican tells Of horse owned
in Campbell county, which had been in