Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1861-02-22
Communications.
UNITY, February 18th. 1861,
4 Z Ut "1'r TUT IVOI'
To the Editor of the Sentinel:

In late issue of your paper, there APP
peared communication i'll its columns,
under the head of an "AtidresS 10 the
People Of tie South," in which the writer
assumes to prove, in an indefinite manner,
that it is to the interest of Maryland
rather to submit to Northern tyranny and
oppression, than to oppose them; rather
to sacrifice her interest and dignity as
State, than to defend them.
He introduces himself to the public as
one who is accustomed to thinking,
when circumstances require it," but how
far his reason and judgment are improved
by his power Of profound thinking, is
clearly demonstrated by the tone and
Substance of the Address"
Power, when properly directed, is a
blessing to mankind but when directed
in the wrong channel, it proves injurious
and destructive, aud often perverts the
end for which it was intended so it is
with the power of profound thinking, (of
which the writer OF the " Address" seems
confident he is possessed given as a
blessing by the Creator, it is intended to
secure the happiness of its possessor, and
to add to the happiness of mankind; but
when that power is used for the direct
subversion of its ends-when it is used
to induce free people to submit to an
oppression, which, if allowed to reach its
zenith, would prove more terrible than
British oppression-if used by its pos
SCISSOR to induce his countrym men to aban-
don their principles Of independence and
freedom, and to sacrifice their domestic
institutions, which is as dear to them as
life-then that power of thought proves
itself to be rather curse than d blessing
1t is not my desire to act the critic
nor is criticism necessary to prove the
absurdity of the assertions aud predic-
tions expressed in the Address" Max
ing broad declarations of the conserva-
tism Of the North, upon no other author
lty than his own speculative Imagination.
the writer proves himself to be truly an
Ingenious dreamer in whose well told tale.
Sweet fiction and swee. truth alike prevail. :"
You find that most all anti conventions
lists preach up the absurd idea of North
ern conservatism, and it is upon this that
our State Executive bases his hopes for
adjusting the present difficulties, and
save the Union. Northern conservatism |!
How has it been demonstrated Have
they not elected to the Chief Magistry of
our country, BY an overwhelming major
lty, the representative Of party which
has acquired its strength chiefly upon the
principle of opposition to the domestic in
situations Of the South, and whose ayowed
intention is the abolition Of slavery, upon
WHICH depends our vital interests Have
they not, by their State Legislatures, set
at defiance the decisions of the highest
tribunal of the land? Have they not by
midnight incursions and by circulating
incendiary documents, melted our slaves
to insurrection, and thereby jeopardized
the lives of thousands of our citizens
Have they not, through the pulpit, the
press, and from the political hustings
appealed TO the worst passions of their
people to incite them against their South =
ern brethren? And this constitutes their
conservatism
Having constantly in view the destruc-
ton Of our domestic peace and happiness,
the Republican party, since its first or
ganizalion, has gone steadily onward to-
wards the contamination of its ends, I'M
til it has reached that point in its wild
frenzy, at which nothing would be con-
sidered too daring and atrocious for its
fanatical and designing leaders to attempt,
and unless We present a bold front, and
check their wild course, the destruction
of the South is inevitable. Their repre-
sentutives in Congress repudiate all at
tempts at promise, and assert that the
Southern States should be compelled to
keep the covenant Of the constitution,
which they themselves have time and
again atroc;ously violated. Already they
have enlisted beneath the Republican
banner, the Wide-A lcgious Of the
North, TO an innumerable extent; already
the iron heel of Abolitionisn is upifted
with the might Of Caesar, to crush the
South and Southern institutions, and they
only await the Inauguration on the fourth
of March, which will give them the means
and power to carry out their fiendish de-
signs. They can then bid defiance to De-
mocracy, which has been the only barrier
to their progress, and the only defence of
Estates Rights" and national equality,
but whose lines are now broken aud dis
jointed.
In sight Of these facts, there are men
10 our midst who are constantly harpug
upon their confidence in the " conserva-
tive element at the North, an element"
which never has, does not, nor never will
exist north of Mason and Dixon's line,
except it be in the imaginations Of such
men as Governor Hicks and his followers.
The writer of the Address" says che
thinks it now quite time that We begin to
think and act for ourselves" This is
quite at variance with the sentiments Of
our State Executive, whose patriotism he
admires, and "whom he wishes every
Governor 10 the United States was like"
The writer's powers Of perception must
be very acute. if he can perceive even a
shadow of shade Of patriotism in the
late actions Of Governor Hicks towards
the State over which he presides. His
mental vision must, indeed, be extremely
obtuse if he cannot see in every act OF
that functionory display either Of de-
ception or ignorance.
Governor Hicks has either wilfully de-
ceived the people, or else has shown great