Civilian & telegraph. [volume] (Cumberland, Md.) 1859-1875, 1861-05-16
Proceedings OF the Legislature.

PFOccculIlSS vi tNc LcSiStHtuiI'
This body adjourned on last Tuesday to
meet again on the 4th Of June,
We are satisfied that there has never as
sembleI within this State a body of men so
utterly regardless Of the will of their con-
sttuents, and so fully deter mined on persu-
ing their own and reckless course regardless
of consequences. The people have notified
them to adjourn sine die, and yet they dis
perse to come together at any early day-af-
ter. we presume they have learned what aid
they may expect from Virginia and jeff Da-
Wis in their devlish purpose Of rcvoutiori-
zing the State. We give below some Of their
proceedings
Mr.. Wallis, chairman of the committee on
federal relations, to which the Governor S
message and other documents were referred,
made a very long report thereon, accompa-
MED with the following preamble and resoIu-
tons.
WHEREAS, In the judgement Of the Gene
raj Assembly Of Maryland, the war waged
against the people of the Confederate States
by the Government OF the United States is
is unconstitutional in its origin purpose aud
conduct, rcpugnant to civilization and sound
policy, subvcrsiveto the free principles upon
which the federal Union was founded, and
certain to result in the hopeless and bloody
| overthrowirg of our existing institutions;
and
WHEREAS, The people of Maryland. while
recognizing the obligation Of their State, as
member of the Union, to submit in good
faith to the exercise of all the loyal and con-
stitutiona powers of the General Govern
ment and to join as one man in fighting its
authorized battles, do reverence, nevertheless,
the great American principle Of self-govcrn-
ment and sympathize deeply with their
Southern brethren in their noble aud manly
determination to uphold and defend the
same, and
WHEREAS, Not merely Oh their own &C
counts and to turn away from their own soil
the calamties of civil war, but for the bles-
scd sake of humanity, and to avoid the wan
ton shedding of fraternal blood in a misera-
bic contest which can bring nothing with it
but sorrow. shame and desolation, the peO-
ple of Maryland are enlisted with their whole
hearts upon the side of reconciliation and
peace; now therefore it is hereby.
Resolrcd be the General 1SSen,Jty Of Nary
land. That the State ct NJ ,ryland owes it to
her own self respect and her respect for the
constitution. not less than to her deepest and
most honorable sympalhies, to register this
her solemn protest against the war which the
Federal Government has declared upon the
Confederate States of the South, and our Sis
ter and neighbor Virginia, and to announce
her rcsplutc determination to have nc part or
lot directly or indirectly, in its prosecution.
Resolped, That the State of Maryland ear
nestly and anxiouSly desires the restoration
Of peace between the beligerent sections OF
the country and the President authorities
and people of the Confederate States. Hav-
ing over and over again, officially and unoili
cially declared that they seek only peace and
self-deicnSc and to be let alone, and that
they are willing to throw down the sword
the instant that the sword now drawn against
them shall be sheathed, the Senators and
Delegates Of Maryland do earnestly beseech
and implore the President Of the United
States to accept the olive branch which is
thus held ont to him, and in the name OF
God and humanity to cease the unholy and
most wretched and Improbable strife at
least until the assembling of Congress at
Washington shall have given time for the
prevalence of cooler and better counsel.
Resolved, That the State of Maryland de-
sircs the peaceful and immediate recognition
of the independence OF the Confederate
States, and hereby gives her cordial assent
thereunto as a member OF the Union, enter
tanning the profound conviction that the will
| ling return of the Southern people to their
| former federal relations is thing beyond
hope aud that the attempt to coerce them
will only add slaughter and hate to impossi-
bity
ReSolred, That the present military occu-
patton of Maryland being for purposes, in
the opinion of this Legislature, IN tlagrant
violation of the Constitution, the g cneral As
sembly of the State, in the name of her peo-
pie, does hereby protest against the same.
and against the oppressive restrictions and
illegalities with which it is attended,, calling
upon al. good citizens at the same time, IN
the most earnest and authoritative manner,
to abstain from all violent aud uulaw full in
reference of every sort with the troo rs in
transit through our territory or quarer,d a
mong us, and patiently and peacefully 20
leave to time and reason the ultimate anj
certain re-establisnment and vindication of
the right.
Resolred, That under existing circumstan-
ces it is innxpedent to call a Sovereign Con-
vention of this State at this time, or to take
any measures for the immediate organization
or ormng of the militia.
Resolved. That when the Legislature adj
journ It be to meet at Frederick, on the 4th
day Of next June.
Mr.. Ford moved that the report be accep-
ted and ten thousand copies ordered to tie
printed, which was adopted by ayes 40,
Nays--Messrs. Medders, Lawson, Keene,
Landing, Straughn, Wilson, of Hartford,
Bayless, Mccoy, Fiery, McCleary an! Cor
such-l1.
The Legislature though not succeeding in
passing he report of the Committe on Fed
eral relat ions. have adopted the resolution
appointing a committe to wait on the Pres |
dent of The United States, JEFF. Davis and
tho Governors of Pennsylvania and Virginia.
The foil, wing members constitute the CON-
mittee ] o jeff, Davis; McKaig & Yollott !