The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1861-12-28
MIR. DOnaIdson's Resolutions on Federal
Affairs.

The following are the resolutions offered by
Mr.. Donaldson in the House Of Delegates,
and adopted by that body:
Resoircd by The Senate aud the House of Dele
gates Of The Siate Of Maryiamd, That the Con-
stitntion the United States, so admirably
| framed by the wisdom of our foreiathprs. is
recognized by the people Of Mary land as the
great charter of their liberties, the foundation,
support and protection of their rights, ana
the main source Of all their prosperity; that
they are at all times ready cordially to renew
| the expression of their devotion to its Erin-
ciplcs; that they unrcscrvcdly acknowledge
the supremacy Of all laws made in pursuance
| thereof, and repudiate every construction of
| that instrument which would destroy its eff
cheney. its very eXistan;e, indeed, by the
assertion OF any right, expressed implied or
Reserved in the States. to seccde from the
Union and although they consider the right
of revolution, for ,justifable cause, inherent in
every people, they unhc sitatngly declare
that they know no existing cause to justify
the people Of the United States in attempting
| the overthrow Of their Government.
2. ResOired, That the duty and interest of
the people Of Maryland alike forbid that they
should take part in the infatuated and suicidal
rebellion which now seeks to separate the
States of this Union, and to destroy that
great nationality which has made us prosperous
at home and respected abroad which scpara-
| ton, if accomplished, must result in the most
serious disasters to all the States, but, from
the popularity of our geographical position
can bring to our own State nothing but ire
trieva1lc ruin.
3. Resolrcd, That the present unhappy and
| fratricidal war has been forced upon the Gov
| eminent OF the United States by the sedltious
| and unlawful acts Of those who have attcmted
| its overthrow by violence, and the State of
Maryland will cheerfully contribute her por-
| ton OF men and means to sustain the Nation in
| its struggle for existence, SO long as the war
is conducted in accordance with the principles
of the Constitution, and so long as the purpose
of those in power is the maintenance Of the
Union. with the rights guaranteed to the
States unimpaired.
1. Resoired, That the loyalty of the people
of Maryland to the General Government,
established by the Constitution, is untouched
by any shade Of servility, and they must ever
regard with extreme jealousy all attempts.
from whatever quarter, to make the present
war for the restoration OF the Union the means
OF interfering with the domestic institutions Of
the States and they solemnly protest against
all schemes, the object or tendency of which
is t" excite instruction among the slaves,
declaring the same illegal, and calculated, if
put in practice, to produce results too horri-
BILE to contemplate.
5. Reso'red, That this Legislature is gratfed
to know that the true principles on which the
war should be conducted have been expressed
i'll most emphatic language by both Houses of
the present Congress, in their extra session Of
July last that they have been declared by the
President, in his latest Messages and that they
have been conspicuously illustrated in the
Proclamation of Major Dix to the
people of the Eastern Shore of Virginia.
Thnt alt in,
ate presence of armies, when war or insurrec-
ton exists, it cannot be expected that the
civil power should at all times maintain its
| supremacy, and there may be cases of extreme
necessity when the safety and preservation of
the Government would excuse a resort to
extraordinary measures, yet the dangers of a
departure from the forms of law. which are
the protection of individual rights, should
| never be forgotten, and all irregular proceed
ings should be abandoned as soon as it is clear
that the extreme necessity, which gave rise to
them, has passed away.
Mr. Crcswcll Offered the following amend
mcnt to the resolutions proposed by Mr.. Don
aldson, which was adopted
I. Resolred, That the people of Maryland do
not hesitate to express their approval Of the
course and policy of the President in the con-
duct OF the war thus far, as cXcmpliicd by his
| official acts, and they thereby tender him their
thanks for the earnest desire he has manifested
to avert from them the immediate horrors and
calamities Of civil war; assured by his firmness
and honesty in the past, they confidently
expect that in spite Of the opportunities of
pcrncious fanatics, he will keep steadily in
view his sworn duty to spreserve, protect, and
defend the Constitution of the United States.
8. Resolved, That the Governor be requested
| to transmit copies of the foregoing resolutions
to hal % hal al and
our Senators and Representatives in Con-
greSS.