The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1861-01-19
1)olltltal.
a n ADDRESS
TO TIE
PEOPLE OF MARYLAND,
BY VIM. III. COLLINS,

To The People Of UmyAond:
tlust the condition OF public affairs will
secure your pardon FOR the language ven
ture to address to YOU on the tnomentous
questions which ngitate the public mind. -
My life and the lives Of those from whom
sprung. have been passed on your soil
Though have never sought Office at your
hands or at those of the General Government
7 trust | need not say to those of you who
kaow me. that my whole circle of Influence
(smail as it may have BEEN has been in favor
of the welfare and continuance the Union of
the States. and Of the welfare and honor of
the State Of Maryland.
Ifasked whether love the Union or the
State Of Maryland most, my reply is prompt
and frank. | love the Union most. Born
under the Union, my heart has leapt at tina,
GLORIOUS name from the earliest recoll,ctions
of my childhood to the frosty years Of age
which, though it has impaired my health and
activity, has not diminished the intensity OF
the love bear my country. Her glory, her
honor, her power, her union, her happiness
and welfare. now and forever are dearer to
me than life. AS a bright gem set in the
bosom of this glorious Union, Maryland has
my strong and loyal affections. | have
watched her prosperity with the fcudcst
soicilude from my earliest life. and yet say
to yon love the Union more than MARYLAND.
If wisht d to recall to your recollection
the Triumylrate in my own day which has
stood most deeply rooted in the American
heart. need hardly pronounce the names Of
jackson, Clay and Webster. Each differing
from the o!hcis, they stood before Their
country the uniiinching supporters of our
glorious Union. Each and all of them locmcd
1,,rN th,o 49, l.
d,aus of The Union Of the States forever r.
Differing on other questions. on this they
agreed If any one say that Jackson. or Clay
continuance OF the Union on an If or q bit, or
q contingency, let him produce the proof -
No such proof exists. The mos. confidential
conversations of the Hermitage, and of Ash
land, and of Marshlield, never whispered
thought dsloyal TO the pcrpetuity of our
Union; but were full of that deep aud INDY
ing love which such great hearts only feel
for the country which gave them life, and for
the welfare and honor of which they delighted
to employ the high gifts nature bestowed OH
them in her bounty.
About thirty years ago threats Of resistance
to the laws Of the country startled the ears of
many for the first time, who are Still in the
rigor of life. That deep seated love of cou,,-
try. which vas the strongest feeling IN the
breast of Andrew jackson, honored aided
and shared by Daniel Webster and Henry
Clay, averted the dire calamity then threa-
tened. For the conduct of these three illus.
trious men ON this trying occasion. the
country owes an eternal debt of gratitude
1t has pointed out a path to their successors,
which, if followed. leads to glory and
renown. Never, on any occasion, has the
hcnrt OF this great country beat mere freely
than in the approval it gave TO the frI and
wise measures then pursued.
In eighteen hundred and fifty the cry of
resistance was again raised in consequence of
the dissatisfaction of some portions of the
country with the Compromise Measures so
ably proposed and carried under the lead of
Henry Clay and Daniel Webster Fortunate
ly this was stitcd IL the places where it
begun.
No more was heard Of the cry of disunion
until the wicked and miserable raid of John
Brown. Efforts were then made to use this
attempt as the basis of another disunion
movement. Fortunately. however. the coun-
try saw that the raid of John Brown was as
utterly powerlrss aud unsuccessful as it was
wicked and tratorlous and the whole affair
was properly TUNED over to the courts and
the hangman as the best and wlsest termina-
ton OF that most insane adventure.
In eighteen hundred and sixty an election
for the Presidency occurred under the provi-
sions OF the Constitution. A conservatiy
portion OF the country, North and South
presented the names Of an eminent Sou thren
statesman Tor the Presidency, and of an
equally eminent Northern statesman for the
Vice Presidency. The Democratic party
r.. 4
divided and two sets of candidates were p,e
sented by 1t. The Republican party made
its nominations also.
1t is extremely probable, il not absolutely
certain. if the Democratic rarty had presen.
ted but one set Of candidates, and those
known to be conservative aud Union men,