The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1861-01-10
An Eloquent Letter by Gov. Hicks Of
Maryland.
Eve Stands by tho Union.


BALTIMORE, Jan. 3
Gov. Hicks publishes an address to the citi-
zens of Maryland, giving his reasons for refus
ing to convene the Legislature. l. fits two
columns of the american, aud ab ouu,s with
most emphatic Union Sentiment. The follow
ing are extracts:
l fervently believe that disunion Of this
government will inevitably produce civil war
The secession leaders of South Carolina and
the fanatical demagogues of the North, have
alike proclaimed that will be the resultant Nc
man Of sense, in my opinion can question it
What could the Legislature do in this crisis, i
convened, to remove the present troubles
which beset the Union? We are toll by the
leading spirits Of the South Carolina Conven-
ton, that neither the ele ction of MIR. Lincoln
or the non execution of tina fugitive slave law
nor both combined, constitute their grievances
They declare that the real cause for their dis
content dates as far back as 1888. Maryland
and every other State in the Union, with a
united voice, then declared the cause insnffi
cIet to justify the course of South Carolina.
Can it be that the people who then unani.
mously supported the course of Gen. Jackson,
will now yield their opinions at the bid9ings
of modern secessiouists? have been told that
the position Of Maryland should be defined, SC
that both sections could understand it. Do any
really misunderstood her positionl He that
wishes to understand it, cannot fail to do So
If the action Of the Legislature must be simply
to declare that Maryland is with the South in
sympathy and feeling that she demands from
the North the repeal of offensive, unconstitu-
tional statutes, and appeals to it for new guar
antees; that she will wait reasonable time fol
the North to purge her statute books, so as tc
do justice to her Southern Brethren; and if hel
in will
cause with her sister border States in resis.
lance to tyranney, If need be, it would only be
saying what the whole country well knows land
what may be said much more effectually by hel
people themselves, than by the legislature cho.
sen eighteen months since, when none of these
questions were before them; that Maryland is
a southern conservative State, all know, who
know her people or her history.
The business and agricultural classe s-plan
ters, merchants, mechanics and laboring men
they who have the real stake in the community
who would be forced to pay the taxes and dc
the fighting, are the persons who should be
heard III preference to excited politicians, many
of whom have nothing to lose from the d, s.
truction of the government, but may hope tC
derive some gain from the ruin of the State
Such men would naturally urge you to pull
down the pillars oftbis accused Union which
their allies of the North have denominated a
covenant with he'll.
The people Of Maryland, if left to themselves
would decide with scarcely an exception, tina
there is nothing in the present causes of com
plant to justify secession. and yet against oul
| judgements and solemn convictions of duty, we
are to. be precipitated into civil war, becaus,
South Carolina thinks differently. Are we no
equals? Or shall her opinion control our &C,
tons? After we have solemnly decided fol
| ourselves, as every man must 90, are we to bt
forced to yield our opinions to those of another
State, and thus in effect obey her mandate
She refuses to wait for our counsels. Are we
bound to obey her commands?
The men who have embarked in the scheml
to convene the Legislature, will spare no paint
to carry their point. The whole plan fopera
tons in the event of the assemblage of tn,
| Legislature, is, as l have been informed al
ready marked cut. The list of ambassador
who are to visit the other States is alread,
agreed on, and the resolutions which they hop
will be passed BY the Legislature fully commit
! ting this State 40 secession ave already pre-
| pared. in the course Of nature ! cannot hav,
| long to live, and terveutly hope 10 be allow
ed to end MY days citizen Of this gloriou
Union, but should be compelled TO wisnes
tie downfall II tbat government inherite
from our fathers, established asst were, by tn
special favor of God, l will at least have th
/ consolation in my dying hour, that l neither b
word or deed, assisted in Fastening its disrur
| ton.
Signed,