The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1861-06-01


with our fair expectations, founded upon
constitutional guarantees, have injured us
and have enabled the d soyal portion Of the
people in the Slave States to WELD formida-
BILE weapon from this cause against the
integrity Of the Union. but we yet rely
upon the awakened sense of Justice of our
Northern brethren to repair the wrong. and
provide against It's recurrence in the ful are
We waive no Claim to our Just rights when
We decline to and a conspiracy TO destroy our
Government. We shall look to the future, in
hope and expectation. for the redress of
every grievance through the constituted
organs Of the Cover nment, and we are conf
dent that we Shall not look in vain.
We are not the partiSanS OF those who
have recently been called by the CONSTITUTED
means appointed for the election of our rulers
to the Administration of tn. Government. -
We repud,ate their dogmas upon the question
OF slavery we opposed to the utmost their
elevation To the places they now hold; but
e,ected MS they were by sectional party, and
upon sectional issues, which we regret and
condemn, we yet hold such evils as transient
and remedial, and entirely insignificant when
compared with the lasting disgrace and sacri-
lice OF every essential interest entailed upon
the country by the conduct of Sec,ssionists.
The aspect OF our troubles shows conclusivcly
that the views of Lincoln and IIamin upon
the domestic policy of the country, and their
election to the offices they hold. We're not the
cause but the prctetf, for an attempted disSo-
luton of the Union. Their eNc:ien we sol.
EMMY believe to have been desired and i,lrd
by the leading spirits of the present revolt. as
the contingency which would enable them to
accomplish design. now admitted By many
oil them to have been long enterta ined, to "ti,e
the Southern heart, and prccpitate South
ern revolution. Shall purpose thus planned
thus attempted to be executed. be successful!
10 you, Marylanders, this question has pecu.
liar force
Will you aid the scheme to destroy your
Government! Will you place obstacles in
its way to prevent it from quelllng the revolt
Ii is wrong to break up this Government,
is it rot equally wrong to endeavor to prevent
the Government from restoring order and
peace! Can you reasonably hope for peace
from further forbcarance? Has not forbcur-
ance already been exercised even to apparent
weakness Has it had any other effect than
to cnbolden the conspirators and give them
time for further preparation for resistance, or
it. may be for assault
In sorrow do we feel the dire necessity that
exists now TO support and aid the Govern
mcnt in every lawful act to Ell force obedience
to laws violated by our own brethren. 1t is
painful to reflect that Southern men have
placed themselves in such an improper atti-
'ude, but the maesty of violated laws must
lie yindicatcd. This is the only sure road to
peace the only direct path TO renewed pros.
pcrity. 10 yield to this outbreak now would
be to establish a precedent to be followed at
every recurring election. Disappointed am
blton, taught by the experience of the past ,
would not be slow in manufacturing a populaf
discomfort to accomplish its ignoble cnds.-
LawIeSsnesS, anarchy, revolution, counter
revolution, would become chronic Infections
until the end would be the complete sur
render of our happy form Of Govern
ment to military despoism Z: an absolute
monaichy.
The question of slavery we believe to be
not seriously in the contest lit were. how
culpablc the conduct o., Southern Senators and
members of the House Of representatives in
yielding the complete power they he'd over
the present Administration, through their
ma jorltes in the Senate, aud most probably
in the House of Representatives Holding
in their own hands the power TO prevent any
wrong or miSchievous acts on the part of the
President, none could have been rerpctra,ed
by him or his party unless with their p;ro-
val and consent. No act had been committed
bv Lincoln, for ne was not IN power when
the revolt commenced, ard if it could be
right to attempta revelation upon mere
apprehension. no such apprehension in view
Of the majotitics referred to could have been
seriously enter tanned.
1t is, therefore, idle to treat this attempt at
revolution as aught else than what it Nv
is, viz: an attempt to dissolve the Union and
make Our country two or more Governments
| wherein the principles of civil liberty will be
| shorn of all their fair proportions. We.
therefore, appeal to you, fcllow-ctizcns. by
the love yoa bear your country, by all the
halowcd memories and glorious rccollcc,ons
! OF the past, and your desire to perpetnate the
blessings ola free and liberal form of govern.
ment to your poSterity. to unite with us in
support OF your Government in this the nouI
of its sevcrcSt trial. Let not, we couture
you, the cry OF party stay your arm fIon,
striking the blow prompted by all the honest
impulses OF your heart in defence of yonl
country. its honored flag and its free inslltu-
tons. 1T there be party whose Interests
are in conflict with the perpetuation Of the
Union and our institutions, rcpudiate. Suct
party and abandon its leaders who will only
lead you to hopeless ruin. disgrace, and per
haps to an lgnominious death.
Let not the vague cry of Southern Rights
indace you to justify and aid Southern wrongs
in this trying hour. We are alive to ever,
right the South can constiutonally claim. =
We shall never cease to demand them by
every constitutional means. We abate not q
jot or title of them; Lu, we do not recognize
the present disorder as right in any sense Of
for any section. The wrongs. distrcsses and
manifold msercs following in the train o
secession prove that it is not the right Of an,
State or section: it ignores all rights, an,
ANONYMOUSLY abandons our just claim.
without an effort to maintain them: it in
gIoriously leaves the field and immense spoi
to be enjoyed by the adversary. We will no
consent to this The country to-day is divided
between those who are n the perpetuit,
Of its blessings and those who would dcprlv
you of them. Between these you must choose
there is no middle ground We ask you It
consider well the issues before you: to tax,
counsel of your own honest impulses: to allow
the pronptngs of your hearts to guide you
and then We know where TO class you.