The southern aegis., 1861-08-24
CORRESPONDENT
HopnwnrI xiRc ~, !
Aug 10. 1861. {

Augd u, 1861.
Mr.. Editor I'm these times, when :
large portion of the newspaper press Of
Maryland has succumbed to the pressure
of "military necessity" am glad to
find that your spirited paper is still adyo-
eating the right cause. 1t is really re-
freshing now and then to find man who
will not sell his " "birthright for mess Of
pottage."
There was time when none would dare
deny the right of citizen to express his
opinion upon all public questions; and to
have asserted such a right a few months
ago, would have been merely uttering a
political truism which everybody then be-
ieyed. But now this condition of affairs
has sadly changed, and the expression of
ones opinion is often attended with per-
sonal danger. And, stranger than all this,
there are men to be found in Maryland
who uphold that fearful despotism which
has deprived us of our dearest political
rights.
By what authority are we denied the in
estimable privileges of freemeu? Is the
Constitution of the United States the
source from which Mr. Lincoln derives the
extraordinary prerogative of abolishing ci-
vii liberty? Does that instrument sane
tion the measures which have been adopt
ed by the present administration? No;
for Mr.. Lincoln himself admits that he
has exceeded his constitutional duty. A
large standing army constitutes the only
power under whose authority all these
wrongs are inflicted, and the government
established by our fathers has been super
seded by military despotism And force
is used to suppress public opinion, when
ever it may be adverse to the party now
in power at Washington.
1t is thus the attempt is being made to
educate the american people at the point
Of The 6ayonet, and anculcate neao ideas
aoih the SUord.
Whether this kind of discipline will be
patiently submitted to, remains yet to be
tested. This unnatural system of oppres-
sion had its origin in an unjust war. Then
all those who are in favor of maintaining
civil and political rights, should earnestly
oppose this unrighteous crusade against
the South. All who believe political lib.
erty an object of consequence, should en-
deavor to strike at the root Of this evil, by
putting an end to an unholy war; for it is
only by the return of peace, that we may
hope for the restoration of those rights of
which we have been deprived. And to
this course every consideration of duty and
interest impels us.
What is the object of this war? Is it
for the maintenance of the Union ? IF the
subjugation of the South be effected, the
G5iaffon viii not be restored; conquered
provinces will not be independent States
Then, I affirm, the waf does not have one
single sensible object. Civilized people
do not make war to kill SO many men or
destroy so much property. Civilized ma
tions always fight for some principle. Now
let us inquire what the North is fighting
for, and then make similar inquiry with
regard to the South.
An attempt may be made to disguise
the truth, but it is plainly evident that
the North is attempting to force govern
ment upon people, which they reject
Northern armies are now fighting against
human rights and human liberty They
are contending for the same principle
which despotic powers have fought for in
every period of the worlds history.
Strange as it may seem, it is now de-
MED by the Northern people that the free.
men of the South have any right to self
government. Our forefathers thought
three millions of people had right to
form any sort of government they pleased
but but tn the politicians of the Republican party
now deny a similar right to seven millions
What principle is the South coutendins
for? Merely for the right of managing
their own affairs in their own way. M
matter how it may be regarded at th'
North, the people of the South look upor
the marching of armies upon their soil il
the light Of an invasion, and as such the,
will resist it.
Now I think ! have stated the case fair
ly, and when the mists of ignorance ant
prejudice have cleared away, the trutl
will be perceived by all parties.
/, Whatever may be the result Of the pre-
tpe tho aasSrd " asstfssn nf6 6us u1i 1biuBf
opinion or destroy public liberty. Thougl
the minions of Abraham the First may en-
deavor to ignore the existence Of princi
-ple which has been fought for in ever.
age, their efforts will not be successful 81
Take the history of few weeks past -
Virginia was invaded by an immense bod,
of Northern soldiers. Their march wa
r. hcralded by the Northern press as the s'ad
vance of the Grand Union Army 1t wa
imagined that the march Of these legion
/" on to Richmond" would be triumpha
!. procession. But the Grand Union Ar
my was defeated and driven back to th,
Potomac, without gaining the anticipated
victory, and has become now an object d
pity rather than Of seorn.
The North may be strong, but ineiIpl
a na,ea 90 t3fia aha will he utkarl ~ = TX