The daily exchange. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1858-1861, 1861-03-14
STATE CONFERENCE CONVENTION
SECOND DAY.

SECOND DAY.
The Convention re re-assembled yesterday mornin
and was called to order at half-past eleven ocloC
by the President, Judge Chambers. The gaeri
were crowded with spectators. From the feelir
manifested by the spectators, it was evident tn
the seceders were in the ascendant but when all
sion was made to the American flag the applau
, was tremendous.
The first business in order was the reading
the majority report of the Business Committee
The following is the report and resolutions
Whereas This Conference, at its session commenced
the 18th February last was adjourned to the 18th
March, in the full expectation that in the interim,
action would have been taken by the Peace Convention
by the Congress OF the United States, failure
these then by the State of Virginia, would demand
and
Whereas The only result of either the Peace Conver
on or the Congress- the passage by the latter of
proposed amendment the Constitution professedIy
settle question in regard to which doubt had
been expressed thus effect leaving the political sata
ot the country in precisely the cond ton it
at the time of our last adjournment; and
= Whereas, There is now pending before the Yirgini
convention roposition-sanctoned by majority
the committee to whom the subject was referred-adY
sing a Conference to be had by the Southern Borde
States with view to the adoption of basis of
rangement by which, with the of the othe
States in the Union, the dstractng difficulties of til
country might be adjusted and harmonized and all in
to further secession removed while States
ready seeded may he induced to return, and the in
tegry of our glorious Union be happily preserved there
fore
Resolved That in view of these facts this Convent on
Whe adherng to the political opinions avowed in it
esoutions the 18th February is Of onnion that m
policy and interest of Maryland require that no actor
shall be taken by which the State shall be committe,
until the State of Virginia shall have determined th
question of proposed Conference some other measure
| requiring the cooperation of this State.
eSotoed That this Convention is of opinion that pro
position for Conference, amongst the Southern Border
states by delegates deriving authority from the people
Will meet the decided approval of Maryland.
ReSotred That Committee of Three be appointed b,
the Chair to visit the Virginia Convention and to ex
press to them the foregoing assurance.
heS0lred, That this Convention will adjourn until sucI
tune as the action of the Virginia Convention shall
proper to take the necessary steps for the appointment
by the people," of delegates to unite with that State
and upon such contingency this Convention will re as
sembe at the call of its President in the public newspa
pers.
ReSolred, That in the opinion of this Convention an,
attempt to occupy possess take any forts or ohe
property Of the late Federal Government within the linn
its of the Confederate States, any blockade Of hei
ports for the alleged purpose of collecting revenue
any attempt to execute the Federal laws will be acts
| war against the Confederate States. (Applausel
ReSotred, That in the opinion of this Convention tn
Border Slave States should consider the beginning of
| war between the Government of Mr. Lincoln and tb
Confederate States dissolution of the compact which
may exist between them and their coStaes and ought
hereupon, resume all powers heretofore delegated h,
| them.
| The reading of the resolutions caused severa
gentlemen to rise in their seats for the purpose
discussion Mr. Bradley T. johnson, of Frederick
ho"eFei, was recognised Dy the Cnalr. and sub
mltted the following minority report
ReSolred, That in the opinion of this Convention an,
attempt to occupy possess take any forts or an
property of the late Federal Government within the Con
federated States any blockade of their ports for tn
alleged purposes of collecting any attempt
execute the Federal laws therein will be acts of wal
against the Confederated States.
ReSotred That in the opinion this Convention tbt
border slave States Will consider the beginning of waI
between the government of Mr. Lincoln and the Confed
Grated States dissolution of the compact which
eNlSI between them and their coStaeS
upon resume all powers heretofore delegated by them
In presenting the resolutions, Mr.. johnson re
marked, that if ever there a time when it be-
came necessary for Maryland to assume position
that time was now; that as a matter of policy ii
was obligatory upon leading politicians to declare
their opinions and views to the people, He did not
believe that the present crisis an accident of a
political party; he thought that the final battle was
about to begin, and the last issue joined. The con
tests which have been going on so long, have nov
eliminated in open rupture, and there is no use in
trying to shirk the responsibility. There is no
compromise to be made, and there tciI be none-
Inc philosophy OF the North, said he, is false and
ne was fearful ofit, and would not trust it. He
thought that it was the duty of the Convention to
lay down their policy to the people and let them
know what the North intend doing.
lie considered the resolutions, submitted by
him, as peace offering, and would be endorsed by
the people. The people were for the Union, but
they would not be coerced into unjust measures
lie thought that the first step to take was to con-
vince the people that there did not exist govern
ment; and alter showing them that, to point out
the way to reconstruct cenfederacy, equally good
TOR the North as for the South. The remarks of
Mr.: johnson were of very eloquent character,
and elected at times the most deafening applause
Judge Chambers regretted exceedingly that the
gentleman from Frederick had submitted such re-
solutions. He was of the opinion that they were
totally at variance with the sense of the Conyen.
ton. The Judge then entered into an extended
and elaborate review, to show the possibility of IA,
w "a Nnrth fafa 4
the question the Judge was interrupted bv Mr.
johnson, who remarked that it was an mpossibility
for the two sections to co exist under the present
government, but that more acceptable one to both
parties could be adopted.
Judge Chambers replied, that in l776 there was
difference of opinion existing between the slave
and free States. To a great many slavery was un-
palatable, and efforts were made to remedy the
alleged evil. All that the South then asked was
protection to her property and lives; the compro-
mise was effected, and for a while the South was
satisfied
Mr. johnson wished to know, if MIR. Lincoln
sh0uid make out war programme, and should
make levy on Maryland for her militia, what the
Chairman would advise.
Judge Chambers-l would advise a peaceful con-
sultation. He was of the opinion that South Car
olina was wrong in going out of the Union alone.
[Cheers and hisses Mr.. Lincoln had no authority
to call on Maryland for troops to coerce South Car
ollna, or any other State. And admitting that he
had the authority, some suppose he has he is
not Bonaparte, the Emperor of Russia. No
governor South of the Susquehanna would dream
OF complying with such a request
He did not recognize government of Abraham
Llncoln's. That person was only an agent of the
people. That great bugaboo from Illinois, was not
an anaconda that could encircle within his folds
the South, and crush it. No, he do no such
thing. Let US go to work, continued the speaker
as Union.loving men should work. Consult the
Border States, and guard against Northern fana-
tics; and when we demand our rights, let us see
that the security for the same is ample Let us Law
down our platform, and pledge our lives, our for
tunes and our honor to its fulflment MARYLAND
could not be an independent Power Such an idea
is ike throwing tub to a whale. MARYLAND be.
longs to the United States, and there never has
Federal Union.
He did not consider the Union broken up: and a:
Tar as his humble efforts would contribute to it.
preservation, he would freely give them He ad
vised all to hold on together, and prevent if posi-
oie iurther secession, and invite back those States
that have gone out. Let US consult our sister
States; and if we must go out of the Union it will
be with reluctance; but we will go as whole
South, and will stand vindicated before the Who'll,
world for our course of action. In conclusion HI
remarked that it would afford him much pleasure i
| the gentleman from Frederick would withdraw hi
| resolutions.
Mr.. johnson declined to withdraw them at present
Mr.. w In. IL. Norris obtained the floor and asked
| the indulgence of the Convention for a few mo-
ments. Permission being granted, he advised
prompt action with the Southern States. Act il
concert with them, and business will go on as for
| merly. He, however, was of the opinion that the
| chances OF acting with the South were small a
| the North had imbibed such fanaticel ideas, tha
| the matter could not be easily Accomplished. I
was his impression that if the Border States wen
with the South, the channels of trade would ono
more be open and we should prosper as formerly
bis remarks were very long and decidedly South
| ern in their tendency.
| The following are the resolutions submitted b,
Mr.. Norris:
ReSolred That in the opinion of the Conference that
he present state OF the country the convention of tn
Save States now in this Union is unwse protracton
the political and civil disturbances of the country an
eventually will end in good and will only add to tn
financial ruin and commercial stagnation the country
That IN the judgment of this Conference the surest an
peedest course for political protection and which prom
ises best for the the Union would be IN
prompt annexation of all the fortunes of the slave
to those of the seeding States.
Resolred That if this view should unfortunately nc
De entertained by Virginia, we must submit, as a gee
graphical necessity, to with her in tn
scheme for convention of the nonseceded slave States
IN case she should determine reconsider this course
Resotred, That in the opinion of this Convention tn
employment of military force by the Federal
OF the seeded States or the employment ofmi
tary force by the seeding States assa the Goyerr
ment of the United States, will inevitably plunge tn
country into civil war; and thereby extingush ali HOP
or an annie ,be settlement of the issue pending
therefore earnestly entreat the general Government
well as the seeding States to stay the of militar
power md on pretence whatever bring upon the n,
ton the horrors of civil war
Upon the reading of the above resolutions. M,
johnson begged permission to modify his resolr
| tons follows:
ist Resolution Amy attempt to reoccupy, reposses
retake, reinforce any fort" &C.
I'd Resolution. Border slave States should consider
war for the above causes growing of the act of tn
Government of Mr. Lincoln betweenth Government an
| the Confederated Statesn
Mr. X. G. Barry, being accorded the floor, sal
that every one deeply deplored the present crisi
but now that it is upon u.s. what is to be the voic
OF Maryland Suppose that coercion is used wit
call of Convention then? Are her SONS IN h