Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1861-02-08
GRErswoop, February s, 1861.


TO the Editor Of the Sentinel:
The CALLED jade winces, and is SO COM
pletelv enveloped in foam, from the torture
inflicted, that it is difficult to discover the
point which first needs attention. | must
apologize to your readers for attempting to
administer to n disease covered in such a
mass of fume, lest its noxious vapors may
escape and infect more widely the atmosphere
around. | will, however, promise to use
abundantly Of soap and water so that no Of
fensiye conlagion shall pass through me.
Mr.. BouIc asks, why did ! vote against his
resolution in committee, and for it in general
meeting? The answer is plain and simple
because ! submit TO the will of the majority.
In this particular, there is a radical difference
between Mr.. Bouic and myself. lie processes
Democracy, and in practice denies the most
essential attribute of republican government,
viz that the majority shall rule. Hence the
difficulty he has now raised, and now sup
ports. This difference is fundamental, and
will, perhaps, forever keep us apart. il, on
the other hand, make no such profession; yet,
it has been my practice through life, il not
chcerfully to acquicscc, never fattiously to
oppose the will of the majority when fairly
and legally expressed
Mr.. Bouic charges that :" few days after
voting for Mr.. Bowic's resolution, asking the
Governor, in his discretion, TO convene the
Legislature TO provide for a convention,
went from the Baltimore conference to request
the Governor to call a convention" deny
the fact, and nothing but wilful pervcrsion
Of truth could justify such statement.
In bis District of Columbia resolution, Mr.
Bouc still proves the correctness Of the old
alage: . Once a tailor, always tailor.
Still perversion, justification and an attempt
20 mislead the public mind. Mr.. Bouic knows
ii was the latter clause of his resolution
wherein he asserted to "A fact without proof
and of which he had no means 10 verify, to
which objected, and requested him to strike
out as moi necessary to the point of his reso-
luton. This, us ] before stated, he declined
to do.
Mr. Bouic will find refutalion Of the
charge, that | patronize the Patriot" in
the same paper in which he repeats the scan
dal.
Me-. Bouic bestows more than half column
in attempting to rid himself from the fact
pointed out by me, that his anti-eoercion
resolution y would eifectually prevent the en-
iorccmcnt of the fugitive slave law at the
North. Now, if his statement be true, that
! am to be made a General by Gov. Hicks,
this doctrine may have very speedy practi-
eal solution. Mr.. Bouic has anticipated me
in applying TO Gov. Hicks for a subordinate
military commission, and has also, with his
commission, obtained arms at the hands of
Gov. Hicks; and, in qualifying to his COM
mission, has, before God and man, solemnly
sworn to support the constitution of the
United States, and that he will be ,faithfut
and bear true allegiance to the State Of Miry-
Iand (of course renouncc his beloved South
Car DINA and support the constitution and
iacs thereof These solemn obligations he
has assumed and contracted to perform. He |
also has doubtless learned that the first duty
OF a soldier is, to obey; and that the duty of |
General is, to know how to command. Now
this relation may soon bring to prae-
tical test this new-iangled doctrine Of anti
coerc on either for disobedience of orders,
or violation Of law; and | will promise Mr.
Bouic that, when the time comes that we shall
be placed in this interesting relation to each
other, | will not shrink from the performance
OF my duty 10 the STATE, or to my subordi-
mates or he deferred from its performance by
any anti-coercion resolution he may offer, or
secession speech he may make.
Mr.. Boulc in stress for matter TO ill his
nearly three-column piece in reply to mine,
of less than one, has dragged in the appoint
ment of u toll gate keeper by me. All have
to say in reply TO this charge is, that Mr..
Bouic opened correspondence with me upon
the subject, which now call upon him to lay
before the public and, to leave him without
excuse, will place copy of the correspond
ence in your hands for his use.
In answer to his question, (already sub
ahsWcVeu, Nhctnef ulu hot at
tend secret American caucus to agree upon
resolutions before the Mass Meeting,n | EN-
phatically answer-No. ] never attended n
secret American Cancus' in my life, or any
other political American Caucus" at
Tended an open meeting of friends of the
Union-at which no other resolutions were
offered or discussed, Ito the best Of my re-
than those drawn by Mr.. Bowie,
which was so dignifed, patriotic and free
from party bias, that even Mr.. Bouic himself
could not withhold his assent from them, but |
voted for and adopted them, as was stated By |
me ON the 2lst ultimo. This answer covers
both his questions in his concluding para
graph.
Upon my return from Hagerstown last
night the g Sentinel containing Mr. Bou-
les article, was placed in my hands. lreply |
at once and hurriedly, SO as to be in time for
this weeks issue of your paper.
A. b. DAVIS.