The southern aegis. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1857-1862, 1861-12-21
For the Southern 1Egis.
THAT Programme for Maryland-"How
Shall Maryland be Governed"

Gentlemen Your are specially con-
vened by Gov. Hicks for special purpose
TO carry out the Lincoln programme.
You are to legislate Maryland into full
communion with Massachusetts But can
you bring her into such communion You
can pass laws to that etfect-you may call
white black, and black white, but can you
make it so? You fear that Maryland will
be involved in this civil war. That fear
alone we know makes you the willing tools
of despot, for among your number are
many who haOe been good and true South
ern men. But to attempt to carry out
that programme will but begin civil war
here. Do you really represent the will
of the people? Did the people vote at
the late election 4" free for all who would
vote the so-called Union ticket?" Do you
believe that the true men who yet really
influence and govern Maryland will not
only acquiesce in the war policy of those
who now enchain her, but will tax them
selves to pay for the lead and iron destined
for the hearts of those who are now battling
in what they deem their cause, among
whom may be a son or a brother, and
actually draft from among themselves inen
to do this murderous work-which will
but tighten the chains of Maryland. Will
they not rather say, as one man, " If we
must fight, let us fight for oursclOcs-if we
mast slaughter, let US slaughter our OPP
pressors ?" If you will but open your
eyes you may learn ajesso1 from the fate
of the Union men of Missouri, East Ten
nessee, and Kentucky, who, lured into
hostilities against their neighbors, are now
deserted by the flying Federals-said Fed
erals meantime sending thousands of men
into such Important strategic points as the
Eastern Shore of Virginia Trust We
such friends? Where will Maryland go
the instant the pressure of the Federal
army is removed? Do you really believe
that nation of ten millions of people,
victorious in almost every conflict, and
holding the staple for want of which the
toiling millions of Europe already threaten
an uprising like the first French Revou-
ton, can fail to be soon recognized mem
der of the great family of nations !? Texas
was recognized when possessing not one
twentieth of her claims Where then will
be the "Union party" of Maryland p
Your party are really responsible for the
continuance of this war-many honest but
deluded North men seriously believe that
there is large Union party in every
Southern State, who impatiently awaits
their delivering arms. You know better
are really Southern men-but army con-
tracts, or fear Oft border war, have led you
to assume the transparency false position
of dominant Union party. You are
holding out false lights to the misguided
North men, who are now rushing fast to
their own and your destruction. No man
lives in Maryland who did pot love the
Union-but fanaticsm has destroyed it,
and Maryland is now forced to choose
between her own and hostile nation
Gods laws, Natures landmarks and water
courses, kindred anGestorship, institutions,
and interests, the southwark flow of the
Chesapeake, the Potomac, and Susquehan-
ma, all unite Maryland with the South
Fight not against God. Let not your
children's and the remainder of your own
lives wear the indelible stigma of treason
towards the South-to be ascribed to fear
full or pecuniary motives during transient
moment Of excitement? The fanatical
North has already lost her liberty, unless
her people rise against the dominant party;
her self-violated Constitution is waste paper
and the sacred habeas corpus nullity-
instea3 IF being jealousy watchful for
liberty, the clanking Of her own chains is
music to her ears-ter people applaud the
tYrannical acts of her desnota Let Mary.