The southern aegis. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1857-1862, 1861-06-22

of my conduct, if wrong; but, now that Fl. Win
ter Davis, the pledged coercionist has failed in
his election, and Mr.. Webster, unpledged to civil
war, has not, does it not occur to you, that you,
of all persons, are least entitled to indulge in
harsh Judgment or to administer rebuke.
The letter itself, the attendant circumstances,
and history of ssUnion men," will show you that
for every error imputed to me have your exam
pie and your sanction.
If the letter of Gov. Hicks to you was con6den-
tal, how can you be justified in handing it to me
to be read to the Hartford Rifles? How is it "con-
sstent with honor" so to transfer ''private let
ter" Hwithout even asking the consent Of the
writer? This, sir, is as "preposterous' as yoar
insinuaions.
The letter was an official letter from the Gov
ernor, Tearing the coat of arms OF the State,
(omitted in your published copy, dated estate of
Maryland, Executive Chamber" and on official
business; addressed to you, but meant for, and
properly transferred TO, those whom only it con-
cerned as an answer to their application through
you to the Governor. You gave it in good faith
to me- not as 'Union" man," but as captain
of the company, and with your appreciation, and
sCihom an idea that either Of as violated the most
rigid lars Of propriety, read to the company,
GS9ssa o. er e az an SSe s .-s a a%sns
tsSn because of fhe piSmise 10 fkrns Ire guns,
it showed your aid and the Governors desire to
crafty us, and especially as new assurance that
Gov. Hicks, who, with our party, had been char
ged with Republican affiliations, was, as he and
they protested, opposed still to ''Lincoln and his
men," and true to the Union and the South
When read it was thrown aside, and accidentally
found some weeks ago, when the Governor had
shown singular desire that "Lincoln and his
men, should be the Sportsnen, and men Of Ma
ryfdrd the game its contents were talked of, and
lest they should be msreprescnted the letter
shown.
Though never doubling its official character,
refused to publish ii; not caring to be made pro-
minent in connection with it; JW achen its erist-
ence oas denied, did give and l think for le-
gitimate purpose copy, but expressly stipulated
that it should not be priated; my first knowledge
that it would be, or had been, was derived from
your letter in the AMERICAN.
But why is the publication to be complained
of? ia mere of5cial 'Joke," it shows for Itself,
and you wisely recommend IA full expose at
once" If a serious proposition and it be fiat
"treason," as you say, il would surely be mis-
PRISON Of treason to conceal IL.
We did not suppose it an invitation to treason,
and now since you suggest it, I do not see to
''kill Lincoln and his men" on the 9th Novem-
Der, would have been treason. The Government
has pAQeefmed ''piracy' unknown to the law;
has it made IA 'treason," and do you, Sir, re-
cognize it Unknown to the Constitution?
-'7%hea yeSssGgagsw e that letter l was Zeal,
ess I,pisp man, ssaQs so-en the 9th ni1nnend
v ~ D assO. hase not changsdk he
canted one principle; no pulse 4 - ri
untrue to the Union of our iatE9 Sf
free and equal sovereign States, y.
of the Constitution, - ,existin
tering bosom. Butj$ hgaly ".
an immortal soul. AS w. spark
grief to the sen is still only
gcnsoess clay.
Why, sir did we opPese the Republican party?
Were we honest in proclaiming that its success
would strike death blow at the Union? That
its SrnSpss were agErsssve s9a tS maintain it
event has justified the prediction.
When disinte9ration began and Star after Star
faded from our constellation, hoping against hope
we looked for help. Governor Hicks assured us
that he was in communication with the Governor
of Virginia, devising ways to save the Union, and
to protect the South that Maryland was indisso-
tuJly connected aciM the old Dominion, and should
act Vhea and as she acted; that he acas q Soatsrn
man, and acou1d be tie first to shouldz1I sket
in d.tence Of Southern Rights, and, a
MtrylaRd adhered 10 the N0Tth, he
in the State. Then we were all u &ll
for compromise, all against coercionx
On the 18th Of January last, at a fiia 81 Ting
of the people of Hartford after asserting nat 1--WE
are as We have ever been, true to the American
Union" it was resolved that "Maryland will ac-
quiesce in the proposed Constitutional and legis-
latve guarantees known as the 'Crittenden Com
promise, as a settlement of the fatal controversy
which is now distracting the country; but that
nothing less efficient than this will or ought to
satisfy the people of this State; and that if the
North shall persistently refuse to grant us such
uno of orr nifpct rohts dino rauard 10
our own security will compel us to dissolve all
connection with them, and unite with Virginia
and the other border Slave States.''
This resolution, drawn by personal and poll
teal friend of ours one of the ablest and most ell
oquent defenders of Governor Hicks in this coun-
ty, was approved By yOu and the Governor.
After II. Winter Davis made his war speech,
the "Union men, here, especial friends of yours
and Governor Hicks, at q meeting on the 18th of
February, resolved that awe would rather conn
sci forbearance and moderation on all sides, and
if it be found that cannot live together in har-
mony under the Constitution our fathers framed,
let us as brethren agree to part in peace. Re-
solved, that we deny the right of Henry Winter
Davis to speak for this portion of the State of Ma
ryland, and we Indignantly disclaim all sympa
thy with his sentiments as expressed in his recent
speech in Congress"
In Congress you voted against resolution
couched in phrases UNANIMOUSLY flched from Wash
ington's farewell address, because it implied that
the Union was to be adhered to under all circuul-
stances. ..-....-..
In your speech delivered 18th February, speak
ing of coercion, you say: "Now, what will be
the effect of this policy? In my humble judgment
it will certainly lead to bloodshed and civil war,
and probably to further Acknowledgement of this
Republic. In all human probability it will drive
from beneath the shield of the Republic other
Stltes that are now true to their fealty. fit |
does not do this, it will dig, between Republican
States and the States that have seeded a ditch |
so wide that never again can they get together.
1t will SOW seeds of such harvest of hate as will
forever prevent the coming together Of the States