The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1861-01-12

institution with which all our sympathes are
firmly united. A brave people, forced INTO a
necessary war. would partially estimate even
these great evils and MARYLAND never has
been, and never will be, found back ward in
such contest. But no man, who has a real
| stake in the community, would consent to
embark in such u future if it could be avoided
| with honor.
firmly believe that the division of this
Government would inevitably produce civil
war. The secession leaders in South Carolina,
and fanatical drmagogues Of the North, have
alike proclaimed that such would be the
result. and no man of sense, in my opinion,
can question it.
Is 1t not then the hounden duty Of Us, and
especially of those placed in authority, to
cndeavor to prevent the occurrence of such
catastrophe, by opposing anything even
tending to produce it
feivently hope, and fervently believe, that
the Onion may be preserved. Our torcfatEers
would not have admitted that the Government
was utterly dissolved if the Hartford Conven-
ton had resolved the New England States out
of the Union-nor can we agree that similar
resolves, passed by the Conventions Of one, or
two, or half dozen, of the Cotton States,
should be considered as working its dissolu-
ton at this time. 1t is yet, thank God, in
full existence, recognized by every Gov
ernmcnt on the globe. and prepared and will
ling to redress with the whole power of the
nation, any ndigni.y or injury, inflicted by
the proudest Power OH earth upon the hum
blcs, citizen OF South Carolina or any other
State.
How shall we preserve this Union, founded
by the labors and prayers of our ancestors
and cemented with their precious blood :!
Each one of us has his par! to perform in
this labor OF love, and each of you has respon-
sibities connected with it, as |, myself,
have. Upon each private citizen dcyolves
that duty, so earnestly pointed out by the
Father Of his country, of cherishing by every
word and decd an interchangeable devotion to it.,
and fiowning Indignantly upon every attempt
to destroy it. Upon those in official position
is imposed the responsible task of so exercis-
ing the power committed to them, that those
who would drive us headlong into war and
misery shall derive no assistance in their
mistaken and criminal course from those who
ought to oppose them.
1t is unnecessary for me to make evtrava-
CANT professions Of devotion to the South
Such protestations may be necessary from
imported Northern politicians, who, by in
direct abuse of their own Northern brethren,
and trucking liattery of the Southern people,
have worked themselves, and are hoping still
further to work themselves, into power at
the South. am Marylander by birth, and
descent, and by residence of more than
sixty years. Every dollar of property own
is invested in this State. am STAKEHOLDER,
not by accident, but by purchase, out of the
hard earnings Of a long life of toll. have
never lived and should be sorry to be obliged
to live, in State where slavery docs not
exist, and Lever will do so if can avoid it..
Whateve, would impair the rights of slave
holders in Maryla would equally njure me,
and the instinct of self-mteIest, if no higher
motive, would impel HE to stand by the
South while life shall last.
With these feelings and under a consc,en-
tous sense Of my obligations. before God and
man, have calmly considered my duty in
this emergency. Two courses were before
me. The one was to suffer myself to bc hur-
redy borne along into the turmoil of the
political movements ofthe day without any
effort to subdue its violence, and Joining in
the cry of disunion, to allow Maryland to slide
into the ranks ofthe seceeGng States. This
course would have been by far the easier, the
most certain to find favor with the floating
mass Of noisy politicians, who can only
breathe with comfort in an atmosphere heavy
with dscord and excitement 1t would have
secured me the erhcmcral outward popularity
Of abe day, aud might have spared my hum
BILE name many an eXccration and SANDER
which the advc Gates of this policy have heaped
upon it. But most solemnly believe that it
would have brought ruin upon my country :;
and would rather die thousand deaths than
be ins,rumentalina accomplishing such result
| therefore adopted the other course-to wait
with calmness the progress of cvents-to re.
member my joint obligations to the Cons,itu.
ton of the United States, and of Mar, land ::
both Of which have repeatedly sworn to sup
port and must try TO allay that fearful
excitement which was threatening to under
mine and destroy that sacred palladium of
our liberties. committed to US by the Great
Father Of the Republic, who has raised us to
Power among the nations, and which il so
sIdently, cherished by the people ofNlaryland.
| knew that the adoption OF this course would
bring upon Inc violent abuse, subject me
to sanderous reports from those whose par
ticnlar schemes it might Illustrate; and, what
| most Of all regretted, would subject me to
the censure Of good men whose convictions on
the subject might be different from my own.
Believing Tint the the interests of Maryland
were bound up with those of the Border Slave
holding States, have been engaged, for
months past, in full interchange of views
with the Goycrnors of Virginia, kentucky,
Tennessee and Missouri, with a view to con-
certed action upon our part. These consulta-
lions. which are still in progress. feel iusti
fled in saying, have resulted in good SO that
when the proper time for action arrives,
these sister States, bouLd up in a common
destiny, will trust DC prepared to act TO-.
gether.
| have been urged by considerable mum.
her of citizens to convene the Legislature in
special session, as the proper measure to be
adopted at this time. After most anxious
and co s;ientious examination of the question,
| have failed to be convinced of the necessity
ty or propriety of such course. The Con-
sLitution, in entrnsting discretionary Lower
to the Governor Of calling such session, never
designed that he should act in so serious
matter upon the judgement or convictions of
other men; and in opposition to the clear and
unbiased dictates of his own conscience. lie
was not intended to be n mere machine to act
in this matter, when others should deem it
necessary, although he himself might feel
morally certain that it would be unwise and
dangerous. | have. therefore, felt obliged to
decide this question for myself. subject to
the dread responsibilities which attach to
those who corruptly. or against their Judge
ments, violate an official oath.
have been forciby impressed with tie
| fact in CON sidprinu this uuostion that ,,o,,,