Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1862-04-18

We perceive from the National Union, /"
of Friday, the tn instant, that a large aud
interesting meeting Of Union men, from all
parts Of Montgomery county, assembled at
Rockville on Monday, the 18th. 1t was or
gained by the election Of Judge R. z. DuY-
Lop, as President, and II. F. YElns, as Secre-
tary. After the Object Of the meeting had
been generally stated, a committee, consist
ing Of Charles Albert A. b. Davis, aud Zach
ariah Waters was appointed 10 draft resolu-
tions, who reported the following, "as OK
prcssiye Of the sense Of the meeting:"
. Rcsoiced, That we look with modification
aud most serious apprehension, upon the pas
sage by the Senate Of the United States, Of a
law for the abolition Of slavery in the District
OF Columbia. We have. as constitutional
Union men, devoted our energies to the main
tcnance and restoration Of tie Union, beliey-
lug that the rights or property, recognized by
the Constitution, would be Acknowledged and
protected.
Resoiref, That this emancipation, which is
not only undesired but protested against BY
the people OF the District, cannot but 90 be re-
aarded bg the sayc-holding States as an en-
tering wedge to a scheme OF general emanci-
results in relation 70 the Federal Government
and the Union, that would be produced by
the adoption of any measure dree4y affcc-
ting the domestic Institutions Of the States
themselves n and we consider il a violation Of
the public faith the faith reposed in Congress
by the State Of Maryland in her act Of cession ;
which act would never have been adopted
could she have apprehcnded that the rights Of
property of her citizens would ever have been
interfercd with.
Resolra, That we believe Sic present I'M
called for intervention in the matter Of slavery
in the District OF Columbia 10 be clearly IN
constitutional because, among other reasons
private property can Only be taken for pub
lie use,H and upon yigt compeHsation, and
vet, under this act, il is to be taken for no
public use aud without just compensation -
And further, we can never think hat because
Congress is authorized TO exercise exclusive
legislation in all cases whatsoever" within
the District Of Columbia IL has any more
power to interfere with the rights OF private
property, than it has TO pass bill Of attain
der, an ex post facto law, or law imparing
the Obligation of contracts; the powers del
egated by the people 20 Congress are cnumcr-
ated in the eighth section Of the Constitution
aud The power to emancipate slaves is MT mem
toned among them il is therefore, obvious
that the exclusive Legislation" in behalf OF
the District canno. extend beyond the legisa-
tive power to which Congress is restricted.
ResofUed, That We believe that this power Of
" exclusive legislation" was granted 60 the
general government for the purpose Of making
il independent Of State interference, and State
protection within the district where IL was to
be located and 70 prevent collision or con-
aict with the legislative powers Of any Of the
States" and with unsuspectiug confidence
that al the rights Of property Of the citizens
would be guarded, and preserved with the
game paternal care and kindness with which
the legislatures Of the states 10 which they
belonged, would have guarded and protected
them, If they had continued to be iutrustod 10
their respective jurisdiction.
Resolved, That at the present crisis We con-
slider this system Of emancipation not only
unconstitutional, but even were it not so, il is
unwiso and ill-timed both politically and
financially politically, as calculated to retard.
II not defeat the restoration Of the Union
furnishing fresh fuel TO the secession element,
and making al Union men inshis state, whose
property ard interests are corrected with