Delaware State journal and statesman., 1861-05-21
BAXARD'S Address
TO THE PEOPLE
OF THE
STATE OF DELAWARE.

FELLOW GiFIzEhS --InouHn ike all men VINO
have mingled actively in political contests, I
have often been subjected to misrepresenta-
tions and calumnies under no past circum-
stances have ever felt it necessary to reply to
merely personal attacks, but have been content
| TO let my general character and course of ac-
tion be the answer to my assailants From
occurrences, however, within the last ten days,
and the excited state Of popular feeling which
seems to accept the falsest and most absurd
charges as truths, it is due to myself to make
to you the following statement, which, though
il will not satisfy the bitterness OF partzan
hostility or the malignity OF personal hatred,
will, trust, vindicate in the opinion OF the
mass of my fellow citizens both my motives
and my acts, though may differ from many
of them in my political opinions.
In the speech which | made in the Senate in
March last, you have my views and opinions
expressed frankly and without reserve on the
present unhappy and distracted condition of
our country, and the course which ! believed
the happiness and welfare Of the people of the
United States required should be adopted by
the general administration. The views and
opinions then expressed were the result of
grave considerations and positive conviction,
and subsequent events have not changed, but
confirmed that conviction preferred peace
ful separation of part of the States from the
Union, leaving that Union unbroken as to the
tar greater number, and the federal govern
ment as the government of a powerful and great
nation, to the alternative of civil war.
Time and the progress Of events will, con-
fidently believe, vindicate the wisdom of my
counsel. If the arguments and views present.
ed in that speech and my past course cannot
convince you of my attachment to the Union,
it would be hopeless to urge Others now.
On the 9Th Of April last left home on short
visit to New Orleans, solely for social and bust
ness purposes, visit had contemplated and
promised to make more than year before, but
which my professional and public duties had,
compelled me to postpone. had no political
purpose or object in view in making that visit
nor did during my absence engage in any po-
litical arrangement or consultation intended
or calculated to affect the action Of the people
of Delaware in relation to their allegiance and
fidelity to the Union | trust you have known
me long enough, and am sure you ought to
have known me well enough to be certain that
whatever political action | contemplated,
would openly and boldly avOw and advocate
before you. II err in this, then it will be
vain hope for any public man to expect, how
ever candid and open may have been his past
COURSE that his fellow men will justly estimate
his character. When left home, though the
political horizon was clouded, no excitement
existed beyond the ordinary conflict of party
warfare, and neither did or could anticipate
the events which occurred after my departure,
or my visit certainly would not have been
made.
took the southern route and reached Mont
gomery on Friday afternoon, the 18th of April
remained there till Sunday following, and
left on that day in the steamer for New Or
leans. saw many persons in Montgomery
whom had known well and Intimately in
Washington, but had no political arrange
ments to make with them, nor were any pro-
posed to me. After reaching New Orleans, in
consequence of the rapid progress of events, |
remained hut three days, cut short my visit,
and returned home as speedily rs practicable
up the river, though had originally intended
to return by sea to New York.
| make this statement, because have been
told that many iar minded and well Intention
al men have attributed my visit to the South
to political objects, and it is only to such, it is
intended to be addressed,
reached home on Saturday the 4th of May,
and was met by telegram, purporting to he
from Middletown to Philadelphia, in which it
was stated that had been two weeks at Mont
gomery, in consultation with the leaders of
the Confederate States. My answer is that the
telegram is utterly and unqualifedly false, and
whether it came from Middletown or else
where it was the mere coinage of q reckless
political partizRn or personal enemy. This
was followed by an announcement plaearded in
Wilmington, and published in the papers, that
a prince of the Golden Circle had returned
home, or some such absurd stuff, On princi-
pie never had the slightest connection with
any secret association in my life, and in my
connection with the Democratic party, have
never been even member ofa club. | was told
also that rumors had been spread in my alb
sence such as that had gone to Montgomery
to sell my State, and others of like kind.
paid little attention to these things as
believed could live them down, for ] was not
aware of the extent of passionate excitement
to which the public mind had been strung, and
still less did dream that there was deliber-
ate intention by such means to induce person.
al violence against me, here in my native town
OF in Philadelphia
| was mistaken in this and have become
satisfied that there was deliberate conspira-
cy to make me the victim of a mob on the first
occasion on which went to Philadelphia.
have no knowledge of the parties engaged in
this conspiracy, either here or in Philadelphia,
nor do fear the rufians who would instigato
such action here, because | have confidence
that in the people of Delaware, however de-
cided may be their dissent from my political
views, the love of order and law is too deeply
implanted to tolerate lawless violence
Without the slightest anticipation Of any in
tended violence / left home in the morning
train for Philadelphia, on Tuesday last, and
arrived at the Prime street station about half
pasi A. NJ. There was no mob or assem-
blage at the station and l took my seat in the
second passenger railway car, which after it
had tarned into Catharine street was stopped
by pOIice officer, and the inquiry made, g Is
Senator Bayard here" answered affirmative
IL, and the reply was, Come here ifyou please
we want you" left the car at once and it