Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1861-01-18

as he charges. To say " that the religious an
ti-slavery views of the Friends was a hin
drance TO the expression of the Southern SEN
timent of this county, at the mass meeting"
is no 'sectarian fling againsta most respec-
table, intelligent and conservative portion Of
our community" They have a right to their
peculiar anti-slavery doctrines--equally en-
titled, with Others, to express their opinions,
The mass meeting was open for them, as for
the rest of the community yet, in face of this,
we say it is no cause of offence to them-no
slur, no attack, to advert to their unwontcd
attendance at that meeting, and their influ-
ence in giving a false and mistaken express
sion of its sentiments.
The people of this county, of this State-in-
deed, of all the Statcs-know the peculiar
hostility of the Friends to the institution of
slavery. What was desired to be distinctly
understood, was the mind and feeling of our
county, with regard to the Union, Southern
aliilation, and the maintenance of Southern
rights and institutions. This knowledge was
sought from the people, irrespective of reli-
gious opinions or sects; but it was denied to
the country, by the presence and votes of men
who came to the meeting under conscientious
obligations, adverse to the belief and practice
of our community and State. Is it wrong to
say, that this was an unfair manifestation of
| the popular will? Is it "persecuting' TO de-
/ clare that, with the exception of these Friends,
the vast majority of our people are bound
heart and hand with the South and its dcsti-
mics? Candor will not condemn us, and truth
will uphold US in these assertions.
Surely this s. very unlike The history and
policy of know-noaing prescription Of TIC
Catholics We would invteno dsabilitie
impose no restrictions upon, and suggest no
interference with, these estimable Friends, be-
cause of their opposition to slavery. No se-
cret tribunal shall discuss their conduct, but
the columns of the press may take cognizance
of it, No violent appeal to the excited null
tItude has disturbed their security, orwounded
their sensibilitics-only the assertion that
,ciddoW them, the meeting was Southern
mass, and they could not help fraternizing
with the North, while holding their anti-slave-
ry convictions. No blame is attached to
them--no action is suggested in their regard.
Our correspondent, "B, must own that there
is no parallel between our chronicling fact,
and the machinery, policy and persecution of
a political party, the most mysterious, intole-
rant and baneful that ever existed in the land
We respectfully ask our correspondent wheth-
Z ba I pl 81,
Friends on the slavery question, or the re-
verse, which we spouse and advocate?
In compliance with the request of our
esteemed correspondent, "B," we republish
our editorial of the 2lst ultimo, in relation to
the mass meeting, of the LIST instant, and We
especially invite his attention to the CON
GLIDING paragraph, and ask HIM to review
his own record, and inform us whether he has
been consistent with his professions?
| THE Mass MEETING The call, which we
published last week, for " the people of Mont
gomcry to assemble in Rockville, on the LIST
Of January next, we did not suppose could be
/ distorted, by any sane man, to SAVIOR in the
/ least Of party feeling, or intended in any
manner to exclude any man, no matter what
might be his political principles or pioclivi-
! tics, TO a full, equal and fair participation in
! oil its proceedings. We supposed "He peo-
pie embraced every body, and we regret
that any enc should take exceptions to the
! phraseology Of the invitation, as published.
/ But to remove all difficulty, in this respect,
| from even the most captious, we will say that
'Mt peopie," regardless Of party are invited to
be present and participate in the proceedings
Of the meeting, to be held here on the LIST of
January next. We say more, that we will
oppose, TO the best Of our ability, anything
like party organization TO control its action
and we appeal to the people to assemble as pa
triots, untrammeled by the dieta Of any set of
political managers-come in the majesty Of
your power, proclaim your sentiments, and
maintain them like frecmcn.
Wa The Hon. JoHy C. LEGRAyD has adj
dressed a letter to the Hon REyEaDY JoHN-
son, in reply to the speech he delivered before
the Union convention, held in Baltimore on
Thursday of last week. Il is replete with
patriotism and wisdom, and ably and elo-
qucntly sustains the position of the advocates
Of the equality Of the States, and the mante-
nance of the constitutional rights of the
South. ltrecurs to many interesting histo-
real facts in connection with the early days
Of Maryland and the times of the American
revolution, and very properly contrasts them
with the mastery inactivity" doctrines Of
the present day. 1t is a most useful and OPP
perfume expose Of the perilous condition Of
Maryland, and severe rebuke to the supine-
ness Of Governor Hicks and his mischieyous
advisers. 1t is, in fact, just such production
as the people should read. We will, with
great pleasure, publish it in our next issue.
In the meantime, we expect, at theinstance Of
several gentlemen, to publish one thousand
copies Of this letter, which viii be distributed
through the mail to every portion Of the
county. We bcspcak for it an attentive pc
rusal.
SOUTHERN RIGHTS MEETING AT FREDERICK, Ma
RYLASD.-In spite Of the bad weather, an inn
mense county convention of southern-rights
men assembled at Frederick, Nd, on Wednes-
day last, composed Of Bell men and Breckin-
ridge and Douglas democrats. Strong south
ern resolutions were passed. amongst others
one that Maryland shall never go with
northern confederacy. Gov. Lowe and Mes
srs johnson, Lynch, Richie and Kilgour
made powerful and eloquent speeches. Great
enthusiasm prevailed. Delegates were APP
pointed to a State convention.
-.-.a------
RETURN OF THE STAR or THE WEsT.-The
steamer Star Of the West Captain James Nc
Gowan, which left New York on the 9TH in
slant, with troops and munitions of war, for
Sumter, Charleston harbor, but was repulsed
at Morris Island, arrived back at New York
on Saturday last. Two Of the shots fired at