Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1861-01-04

lihtiOha Ol lne cHTtn lneir UNION mas been
perfected, justice established, domestic tran
guilty secured, the common defence provided
for, the general welfare promoted, and the
blessings ofliberty secured, in a higher degree,
than any ether nation or people have ever en-
joyed.
Infractions of the Constitution by the North
do not justify infractions by the South.
The Supreme Court is common arbiter,
an impartial tribunal, created by the Consti-
tuition for determining all questions arising
under this Constituton--the laws of the United
States, and treaties made, or which shall be
made, under their authority. Ther jurisdic-
ton extends to controversies between two or
more States-between a State and the citizens
OF another State-betwecn citizens of different
States ETC., and their Judgment and DEGREES
are to be enforced by the Executive, with
the whole power of the Government, if ne
cessary.
A government thus constituted, provides
for the peaceful solution of all difficulties
arising within its territorial jurisdiction
No peryersion or abuse OF its authority is
alleged to justify its dissolution--to W it'll
draw from it, from apprehension of abuse--to
seek safety IN isolated independence, or a lesser
republic, would be to abandon castle built
| upon rock, for a cabin upon the sands of the
4 sea shore.
/ Our allegiance to the United States cannot
be absolved by any State authority The same
bond that binds US to the one, unites US to the
other; but the people, in solemn conven ton
for just cause, may throw off its authority
Nothing but long train Of abuses and usur-
pations, eyincing "A design 10 reduce the peo-
4 pie to despotlsm, or pervert its powers to
| the destruction of life, liberty and property,
I-would Justify the violation Of the solemn oath
To support the Constitution of the United
States which all Of US have implicitly and
many of us expressly assumed.
/. Resolged, Therefore AS the sense of this
meeting, that every effort of argument, con-
citation and concession, consistent with
honor, and the preservation Of our rights of
life, liberty and property, should be exhaust
ed before the State OF Maryland entertains the
idea OF sacrificing the advantages, national,
municipal and social, she now enjoys under
the Constitution of the United States.
O. ResoLyed, That in Difference to the general
wish of the Central Saveholding States, (if
such be their desire authenticity expressed,
convention for consultation, should be held,
20 devise further means of securin our CON
stitutonal rights within the Union
3. Rcsolged, That the Governor of this
State, be requested, when, in his Judgment, it
shall become necessary, or, as soon as such
Convention, in the Central Slaveholding States
shall be determined on, to convene the Legis-
lature for the sole purpose Of providing for
the call OF State convention, and of the cleo
ton of delegates thereto, to take all necessa-
ry constitutional steps, to avert the dangers
by which We are environed
4. Resoioed, That the said convention, if it
deems it necessary have power to appoint
delegates to a convention OF all the Slaychold-
ing States to take counsel with them and
concert such measures as may be necessary
to the enjoyment of our constitutional rights;
but that any measure tending or designed to
affect or alter our present relations to the Fede-
raj Government that may be passed, by the
convention, shall be submitted to vote of
the citizens OF Maryland, for their adoption or
rejection, before the. same. shall be of any
binding effect.
g. ResoIped, That we arc sincerely attached
to this Union, and earnestly desire its perpe-
tuity upon such construction or amendment
of the constitution, as will secure to each
State, beyond all question: its entire equality
with the other States, and will protect every
man in the profitable enjoyment of his slave
property, and his person from danger from
the violence of negroes, instigated by the poll
cy or laws of the United States, or of the free
States.
6. Resolped That it would be detrimental
to the peace and prosperity of this State for
Congress to pass any law abolishing slavery
IN 'hs nisiriet of Colun,hia, or III the Forts,
&C., IN this State, or of the slavc-trade BE- |
tween the States, and any such law would be
q breach OF good faith q violation of the Com
stitntion of The UnTred STATES, .---ls,.3ls
TO the institutions Of tails State; and Inhsnlueh /
as the free States think differently Maryland
ought now 10 insist upon such amendments of
the Constitution rs will clearly remove all
doubts, and prohibit Congress from passing
any such laws.
Z. Resoissi, That the same amendments
ought 10 extend to all forts, arsenals, navy or
dock yards, aud territories of the United |
States.
8. RESOLVED, That the free States ought to
repeal all laws impeding the execution ofthe
fugitive slave law-ought to prevent their
cillzens from combining together TO entice or
aid slaves to runaway from the slave States,
or to stir discomfort amongst the negroes or
to incite them to insurrection or to make war
like raids into the slave States to aid negroes
in resisting against their masters or abscond-
ing, and ought to return to the Governors of
the slave States, upon legal requsition all
fugitiyes from justice in the slave States ac-
cused of stealing negroes, or other crimes,
and ought to pay the owners for all negroes
rescued or concealed, or aided in their escape
from their owners, by mobs Of persons within
such free States--to this end such constitution
al amendment or act Of Congress ought to be
agreed on as will accomplish the object.
.. Resoired, Thhtif unfortunately, theslaye-
ry questions cannot now be settled perma-
nently upon terms acceptable to the North and
the South; and the Union should be dissolved
then Maryland ought to go with the South
or Central Southern Coniederacy, and WEI
pledge ourselves tc use our influence to effect
that object which will clearly protect our
rights and institutions
On the third and last resolutions the COM
mittee were equally dividcd-the other reso-
lations were reported unanimously.
On motion of John w Darby Eso tho
preamble 10 the resolutions was adopted
On motion of Il. J. Hall, ESQ, il was
Resotred, That the vote be taken on the re-
ssri1tim.
The first and second resolutions being sub
niited to the meeting were adopted
w. Velrs Bouic, Esq, called up the follow
ng resolution:
Resoiped, That the Governor be respectfully
equested to convene the Legislature without
lelay, to consult with him, and determine
ipon the course the State ought to take to
lrotect herself and the Union in the present 4
alarming condition of the country.
Upon which the COMMITTEES had been equal c
y divided, as "a substitute for the third reso-
ution, which lead TO an earnest and animated I
discussion, in which the substitute was advo- S
,a'sd with much ability by w. Veirs Bouic,
ma Se.orge Peter, r.. gsai,oG&Piea Ro%ie
Dayis, aud Il. j. Hall, Esqs., and the vote Z
oe'ng taken on the substitute il was rejected
'y ahe following yote--yeas 1871, nays 1888.
!. ihereupon, on motion, the original resolu-
lion was adopted by the same vote.
The other resolutions which had been unan-
mously reported by the committee, were then
adopted by the meeting.
w. Neirs Bouic, Esq, called up the last
resolution reported by the COMMITTEES, and
upon which they had been equally divided
which on motion of Francis Miller, was laid
a a tho fab N