Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1861-08-02
MARYLAND, FRIDAY MORNING. AUGUST 2, 1861

Ilon never WOulu nave Oeen mauo. l.
mean that obligation the Northern States
entered into to return fugitive slaves
from our country. Seven States arrayed
themselves perhaps more--seven at the
least, arrayed themselves in open, palpa-
BILE violation of this known portion of the
compact. We appealed to them-we
believed it was best for all the States as
Washington presided over the convention
that made the constitution, that all the
States should remain in the Union, faith
fully performing each one for itself the
obligations Of this constitution.
This was the Southern idea. We made
our appeals for years to them to come up
and fulfil their obligations. From the
beginning of the government, the man
cannot rise up and charge the South with
ever violating, in the slightest degree,
their obligations. We never asked Con-
gress to do anything against the interests
of the Northern States we never com
planned Of their institutions we never
wished to interfere with them at all. We
rested upon the great principle that each
State should govern itself; that they
should govern themselves as they pleased,
and let us govern ourselves as we please.
This was tho position Of the South. and
We made the same appeal to them for
years; and only when this party came to
maturity, and when so many States open
ly disregarded the constitution, when
they got the government in their hands,
it was then the South thought it neces-
sary to look out new safeguards for Sc
curity. 1t was then she resumed her
sovereign powers. 1t was then she be-
came satisfied that the people of the
North would not fulfil their portion of
the obligation, and even then we be-
lieved it would be better for them and us
to live on together, each and all doing
their duty, but they would not discharge
their duty. We said we would even try
it, and even then sent commissioners to
them with the olive branch Of peace. Our
overtures were disregarded, and hence
this war. But the point present to you
is that we stand now where our revom-
tionary fathers stood. All we ask is to
be permitted to govern ourselves as we
please and for one, declare to you to-
day, you may think of it as you please,
the people Of the South may decide it as
they please, but as for one ! would never
surrender this principle, though every
valley from here to the Potomac should
run with Southern blood and every hill
top be bleachcd with Southern bones -
Tremendous applause.
Can we cope with the North THAT is
the question. We have not less than
four thousand millions of taxable proper.
ty within the Confederate States, upon
/ tho least minimum estimate. At last
years rates, we therefore could raise
from one hundred millions to two hundred
millions, for years to come, and yet sur
vive. The wealth Of nations, the ability
Of nations to sustain war, depends not so
much upon its taxable property as its
productive capital. II is to the latter
that we must look for the means and
ability to sustain war, for in times Of
war generally all business is interrupted
The great difference between the North
and the South to carry on the war-and
this say to you in prospect Of long
war, for wish our people to see the full
magnitude and to feel tho fuh RESPONSE
bility that rests upon us in il, and to see
our responsibility to meet it's this !:
The North sold us some two hundred and
fifty millions annually. This was their
riches hence came their wealth hence
grew their cities. Our cotton was the
source it, and how Mr.. Lincoln is to
get his four hundred millions of dollars |
do not know. ! may say more about it
before get through, but at the present
it il sufficient to say that Lincoln has
damned up the water that turns the mill
of Northern prosperity. How long the
mill will run time alone will determine.
But it is not go with us.
Let the blockade last; let the Northern
people be cut of from trade with us with
ia the eleven Southern States, we could
for years carry on the war, support our
selves and our armies, and, rather than
be subjugated aud become. vassals of Lin
coins power, fight it out beleaguered by
blockade all around. We grow supplies
that the nations Of the earth must have
that is, the cotton. How the North is to
DO without it, as have said, | cannot
say. Hundreds Of thousand are depend.
ent upon it for their bread, and those
people are now turned out of employ
ment. Perhaps they arc the men who,
for want of bread, joined in this unnatu-
raj and suicidal war, which will be to-
them as disastrous as tou In England
perhaps not less than five millions Of
people depend upon cotton for their daily
bread in France, several hundred thous-
ands, il net millions, q am not particu-
lar in my statistics.) And when you
come to take into consideration the
amount Of capital the number Of sailors,
and the amount Of tonnage employed in
this trade, you Will DO still more sur
prised
! meet many asking about tho block
ado cannot to-day tell you how the
blockade is to become raised. But there
is one thing certain--in somc way or other
il will be obliged to be raised, or there
will be revolution in Europe--there will
be starvation there. Our cotton is the
element that will do il, and il is this
great staple which is the tremendous lc-
yer by which VIC can work out our des-
tiny, under Providence, | trust, against
four hundred thousand, or against four
times four hundred thousand. Applause.
| am here to-day to discuss before you
the iifty million loan, but am frank to