Civilian & telegraph. [volume] (Cumberland, Md.) 1859-1875, 1861-10-17
For the Legislature.
To the Voters Of Allegany County.

FrLLow-CrrIzERs:-I wish TO be a member Of
the next House of Delegates, and if you honor
me with az election, you may rest assured that
In executing the trust shall give you no cause
10 regret your choice. / think | understand
the hearts of the people of Allegany county
at least, will say, think understand the
hearts Of my democratic fellow citizens OF .ne
county and therefore feel justified in saylng
for them, no less than for myself, that al,nough
there is much to humiliate our national pflae
in the present unhappy condition OF ou g voan,
try, yet we still cling with hope ana anecllon
TO The Government Of the United States-trust-
ing that the desolating march OF civil war
which is now affecting US with It's destructive
and heart-rendinp consequences, Will soon be
srrested and that we shall be again made hap
nv nv Ike restorstfon of Union and harmony
amonpst the States and in the consequent en-
;ovment of all the rights and privileges which
are On aranteed to us and to our sister States
hv our existing Federal Constitution.
should be elected member of the House
Of delegates, before | can enter upon the du-
ties of such Office, our State Constitution re.
ouires me to take and subscribe an oath of
which the words following are part to witt
~, Samuel M. Semmes, do swear that will
support the Constitution of the United States and
that will be faithful and bear true allegiance
to the State of Mar yland, and support the Con-
stitution and Laws thereof; and that l will,
to the best of my skill and judgment, diligent-
ly and faithfully without Partially or Preju-
dice, execute the Office of member of the House
OF Delegates according to the Constitution and
Laws of this State
And in connection with this oath, our State
Coustitu ton declares that "any person swear
ing falsely in the premises, shall, on convic-
ton thereof in a court of law, incur the pen.
allies for wilful and corrupt perjury"
In respect then to the question whether our
National Constitution shall be upheld or de-
stroyed, you see from the oath which men,
Der Of our House of Delegates is quired to
take before he can enter upon the duties of his
office, that he is not only not at liberty to ap-
prove or connive at any legislation having for
its object a separation of the States as united
under our Federal Constitution, but that it is
made his duty in regard to all such legislation
to take the part of the General Government
and to support the Constitution of the United
States.
Men, know, of the old notification school
Of politics used to contend, that the oath to sup
port the Constitution of the United States on
~ bound man TO support the Constitution
a. be understood it, and therefore, it he under
stood the Constitution of the United States as
eonceding the right of Secession to the differ
emit States to be exercised by them separately
at pleasure, then it was no violation of his
oath to take the part of his State, should she
renounce all obedience to the authority of the
Union, and claim to act as separate sovereign
nation. But deriving my knowledge of the
Constitution from the teachings of Madison,
MARSHALL, Webster fancy and other great and
good men whose expositions OF the Constitu-
ton are respected as controlling authorities,
my appreciation of the oath to support the
Constitution would oblige me not only to re-
ject all notification doctrines, but in the Ian
ruage of Washington ito discountenance what
ever may suggest even suspicion that our
National Union can in any event be abandon
ed
In conclusion, will take the liberty of ad-
vising my democratic fellow citizens to stand
to their party organization, and to AVOID oil
new party ma mes. Democracy, to me, is
time honored name, whose triumphs as detail
cd in history have ever thrilled my mind with
delight, Notwithstanding its occasional de-
rangement and sad wanderings; it is truly the
most eloquent Of all political noun-substan-
lives, meaning as it does that form OF govern
ment where the people are recognized as the
rightful source of all power, and where public
officers instead of being the masters are only
recognized as the servants of the people, to
whom they are accountable and BY whom they
are punishable for all abuses OF their respective
public trusts The name of democrat has moth
ing in it at all inconsistent with unionism,
unconditional unionism or peace partyism -
We are all friends of the Uni on-all anxious
for the speedy restoration of peace to our dis
tracted country. 1t was only few days ago
when at the call of the Chief Magistrate of the
United States, our Christian Churches of all
denominations were opened, and the people of
all parties united in prayer to God for the re-
turn of Union and peace to our Nation; and that
God may speedily grant our prayer is, | am
sure, at the present time, the nearest wish of
every patriots heart.
Oct. 3-tk SAMUEL NJ, SEMNES.