Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1861-01-04
COUNTY MASS MEETING.

Pursuant to public call, the citizens of
Montgomery county, irrespective OF party, as
semblcd in Mass Meeting, on Tuesday, the LIST
day Of January, 1861 at the Court House. in
Rockville, to confer with each other upon the
perilous condition Of The country, and to
adopt such measures as in their Judgment the
exigences of the times demand.
1t was probably the largest meeting that
ever assembled in the county, and was orga-
nized, on motion of VIM. b. Howard, Esq,
by the appointment of JOHN BREWER, Esq,
President, and JOHN I. VISsoN, Secretary
The President, on assuming the chair, made
calm, dispassionate and patriotic address.
On motion of Il. J. Hall, Esq, it was
Resotoed, That two Vice-Presidents be Sc
lected from each election district Of the coun-
ty.
Whcreupon, the following gentlemen were
appointed, viz: Thomas Griffith, sr. and 4.
j. Hall, of Cracklin District; Zachariah Waters
and Robert Sellman, of Clarksburg. VIM. b.
Howard and John III. Gassaway, of Medley j.;
Samuel g. Vcirs and Samuel T. Stonestreet of
Rockville and Pennel Palmer and Benjamin
Rush Roberts, Of Rerry's.
On motion, Col. Geo. w. Dawson, Robert
W. Carter, John 7. Benson, and George r.
Braddock, Esqs., were appointed assistant
secretaries.
On motion of VIM. V. Bouic, Esq. it was7
Resotred That n committee of two from
each election district be appointed by the
chair, TO report business to the convention
Thereupon the chairman appointed: Rich
ard J. Bowie, VIM. V. Bouic Samuel Riggs,
Of r., Allen B. Davis, Francis Miller, BENZ,
Duvall Zacharah Waters, Robert Sellman,
Howard Griffith and Benjamin &. Colt, Esqs.,
committee to report business
On motion, the convention took recess of
on hour.
The convention re-assembled at 2 o clock.
On motion, the chair appointed DR.. A. II.
Sommers, Col Thos. d. Gather, and George
Peter, jr., Esq, to wait on the committee and
ascertain when they would report business to
the meeting; who announced that the com
mittee would report 10 the meeting in fifteen
minutes.
The committee, through their chairman,
Hon. Richard j. Bowie, made the following
report:
Profoundly sympathising with our fellow
citizens Of the South in adherence of the I'M
constitutional assaults upon or domestic in
situations, perpetrated by demagogues, parti-
zans and fanatics of the North and East and.
especially BY those States which have passed
laws MULTIPLYING the 4th Article of the Consti-
tuition of the United States, which ordains
"that no person held TO service or labor in
one State, under the laws thereof, escaping in
TO another. SHALL in consequence of any law
or regulation therein, be discharged from such
service or labor, but shall be delivered up on
claim of the party to whom such service or la
Dor is due, we the citizens of Montgomery
county, Maryland, "a State which has suffered
more than all the rest, in proportion to its
pOpulailoni from these outrages, } feel it due to
ourselves and our fellow-citizens to express
our opinions upon the crisis which is impend-
ing.
In consequence of, and in response to, GER
tam heretieaiand arts toeratic dogmas, uttered,
without rebuke, BY those who would deny the
right and the capacity of man for self-govern-
ment, we rctcrate and re-afiirm, as essential
landmarks and true lights to our path, in the
year 1861, as they were to our fathers on the
4th OF July, l776, the following cardinal prin-
ciples of the Declaration of independence
. |. All governments derive their lust
powers from the consent Of the governed.
2. The ends OF government are to secure
70 the people the lnaiiena1le rights of life,
liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.
"3. Whenever any form ofgovernment be-
comes destructive Of these ends, ii is.ihe right
Of the people TO alter or 40 abolish it, and to
institutes new goyornncnt, laying its foun-
dations on such principles, and organizing its
powers in such FORM, as TO them shall seem
most likely TO affect their safety aud happiness
[" 4. Prudence dictates that governments
long established, should not be changed for
light and trivial causes; but when a long
train of abuses aad usurpations, pursuing in
variably the same object, evinces a design to
reduce the people under ahsGlate despotism,
il is theif right, it is their duty. 20 throw off
such, government, and to provide new guards
fortfheir future security"
In pursuance Of this power Of self-govern-
'ment, the Constitution of the United States
was ordained and established by the people of
the several States, after long and sad expert |
ence Of the ineiiiciency of their Confederacy |
" to form more perfect union, establish JUS /
tice, insure domestic tranquility, provide for |
the common defence, promote the general |
welfare, and secure the blessings of liberty to |
themselves and their posterity.n
This Constitution inalienably secures TO
each State equal representation in the Senate
of the United States, thereby giving Mary
land an equal voice with New York in the APP
pointmeht ofall officers, military and civil-in
the formation of all trcatics-in the passage
of all laws, affecting revenue, taxation, or
the declaration of war, and the
confirmation OF peace.
II ordains thar no person held TO service or
labor in one State, under the laws thereof, es-
Gaping INTO another, shall, in consequence
of any law or regulation therein, be dis
charged from such service or labor, but
shall be delivered up on claim of the party to
whom such service is duet Art. 4, Sec ~
This clause pledges the power Of the United
States to re-capture and restore every fugitive
'laye, and annuls every law of the States that
IS contrary to or inconsistent with il.
The Constitution of the United States de-
,lares, "no State shall enter into any treaty,
alliance or confederation no State shall Z
without the consent of Congress, lay any
iuty-keep troops or ships of war in time Of
'eace-enter into any agreement or compact
Sith another State.
II guarantees to every State in the Union a
Republican form Of government, and pro-
lection OF each OF them against invasion and
domestic instruction or violence.
II guarantees the right Of the people TO be
secure in their persons, houses papers, and
ELECTS against unreasonable searches aud
seizures the privilege Of the writ Of Habeas
Corpus in all criminal prosecutions the right
10 speedy and public trial by an impartial
jury of the State and district, wherein the
rhine shall have been committed and in suits
It common law, where the value in contro-
seraE sAay afy shall Preserved ind no fact
ried by jury shall be otherwise re-examincd
n any court ofthe United States, than accord |.
ng to the rules of the common law.
This Constitution and the laws of the United
States, which are made in pursuance thereof,
and all treaties made, or which shall be made,
Inder the authority of the United States, are
he supreme law Of the land, and the judges
n every State are bound thereby, anything in
he Constitution or laws of any State to the
Notwithstanding.
The senators and representatives in the Con-
rrcss of the United States, and the members
# the several State Legislatures, and all exc
utive and judicial officers, both Of the United
states and Of the several States are bound by
'ath or Affirmation to support this Constitu-
ion.
These stipulations, guarantees and prohibi-
ions assure the equality, independence and
omestic tranquility Of the States, and the
Dn3snendence and personal freedom
Eni1a abroad Cat.