Civilian & telegraph. [volume] (Cumberland, Md.) 1859-1875, 1861-02-21
The Union Torch Light Procession.

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The Union Torch Light Procession.
On Monday night last, our Union-loving |
citizens got up an impromptu torch light pro-
cession, which, notwithstanding the extreme
cold, for numbers, gaity and enthusiasm, sur
passed any thing that has been witnessed in
this city for many years. The procession
formed in front of Barnum house, on Balti-
more street, and was composed of some five
or six hundred persons, with the Cumberland
Brass Band, and large number of torches
and transparencies with appropriate notices.
such as "rhe Union o. K" THE Union, it
must be preserved, "Three cheers for S. Nj.
Semmes, r. Devecmon, r. H. Hicks Major
Anderson, Virginia, Tennessee and Ken
lucky" Secession no 20 in Maryland"
The procession moved up Baltimore to De-
ca.ur, then to Bedford, to Mechanic, to Har-
rson, up Centre to Baltimore street, and
thence tn Y. Devecmon's Esq, where it hal
ted. and gave three cheers for that gentleman,
three for the Union. and three for Gov Hicks
s. NJ Semmes, ESD, was then called for,
when that gentleman appeared and after ex-
pressing his thanks to tie meeting for their
| jpyous demonstration in favor of the cause of
the Union by the brilliant torch light process
sion and display before him, said:
Fellow Citizens with regard to the value
of our National Union and with what love
and devotion we ought to cherish and cling
to it, | will address you in the words of the
beloved father OF our country, the Immortal
Washington by reading the following para
graph from his Farewell Address:
The unity of government which constitu-
| ties you one people, is also now dear to you.
1t is justly SO; tor it is a main pillar in the
edifice Of your real independence, the support
of your tranquility at home, your peace
abroad; o. your safety; of your prosperity;
of that very liberty which yon so highly
prize But as it is easy to foresee, that from
different causes and from different quarters,
much pains will be taken, many arttces en-
ployed to weaken in your minds the convc-
ton of this truth as this is the pointin your
political fortress against which the batteries
OF internal and external enemies will bs most
constantly and actively lthough often covertly
and insduousy) directed, it is of infinite
moment, that you should cherish a cordial
habitual and immovable attachment to it ac
custemng your selves to think and speak OF
it as Of the Palladium Of your political safety
and prosperity watching for its preservation
with Jealous anxiety; misunderstanding what
ever may suggest even suspicion, that 1t
can in any event be abandoned and indig-
nantly lrowning upon the first dawning OF
every attempt to ALLEVIATE any portion of our
country from the rest, or to enleeblc the sa-
caed ties which now lux together the various
parts"
And with respect to the value and impor-
lance of our existing Constitution and form
Of government, will also address you in
the words of Washington by reading another
paragraph from his farewell address. Wash.
ington says, 10 the efficacy and permanancy
ri your union. government for the whole
is indispensable, its alliance however strict
between the parts can be no adequate substi-
tute; they must inevitably experience the in
fraction, and interruptions, which alliances il
all times have experienced. Sensible Of this
momentous truth you have improved
upon yonr first Essay by the adoption Of
constitution OF Government better calculated
than your FERNS for an intimate Union, and
or the eiicacOus management OF your COM
mon concern. This Government, the Off
spring # our own choice, uniuliuenced and
unawed, adopted upon full investigation aud
mature deIiberation, completely free in its
| principles, in the distribution of its powers
uniting security with energy, and containing
within itself provision for its own amend
meut, has Just claim to your confidence and
support Respect for its authority, compli-
ance with its laws. acquescence in in its
measures are duties enjoincd by the funda-
mental maxims Of true Liberty"
The advice and opinions of Washington
were my authority, fellow citizens, for oppo-
sing at the public meeting held few days
ago, at our Court House, the sending of del
egatcs from Allegany county to the sel-styled
sovereign convention, now sitting in Balt-
more city; because the avowed object for
holding this convention was, to take ouusel
ag to what would be the best disposition for
Maryland to make Of herself in case of fail
urc to repair the links of Union which have
been so ruthlessly and recklessly sundered by
few truant States within the last few months.
This convention he commended, would be re-
gaTded by the recreant States, as having its
origin in the sympathes of our people with
them and their treason to the National Gov
eminent. 1t would commit Mary land to the
policy of secession in certain contingency ;
therefore, he was opposed to holding the con-
vention, because as Washington advised, he
was for misunderstanding whatever might
suggest even a suspicion, that our National
Union can in any event be abandoned
In conclusion he said, fellow citizens, will
say, that standingas we now do within a few
| Il, ,F a. ~, bar nd tbo
consecrated to us by some of the earliest
deeds of vaor of our Mountain population;
and proud as am of al the past history OF
our country, of her glorious achievements in
arms in our Revolutionary struggles, and our
subsequent wars and boasting as | have
heretofore so often done of our admirable
Constitution and laws, under which we have
made such rapid strides to greatness, | can
not reconcile myself to the thought of being
suddenly cut of by the progress of disunion
from all these sources Of Just pride and exul-
tatiou. when contemplating my country and
her history-I cannot consent to a change
which is nothing less than the premature
burial of our Nation. No never.
After Mr.. Semmes had concluded his address
which was received with shouts of applause
Y. Devecmon, Esq, made his appearance
thanked the crowd for the honor done him as
champion for the Union--said there was II,
just cause for our present trouhles.-he hat
opposed as strcnuously as any other man tn,
election of Mr.. Lincoln, but he had been cleo.
ted by the American people, and ought tt
take his seat, and he would be pleased to SET
him do it-he exhorted his audience to stanG
: by the Union as the ship wrecked mariner:
cling to the last plank for safety. Mr.. De
vecmon retired amidst the paudits Of his au
dience. The procession then moved off to
!, G.. A. Pearre's, Esq., when that gentleman