Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1862-02-28
9eIftteo Alistellanp.
From the Catholic Mirror.]
The Proposed Oath for Maryland.

another part of our paper, appeared in
the Baltimore American, of the Sth inst.
1t is in the nature of remonstrance
against so much Of Mr.. Prices new test
oath bill as relates to the clergy of Ma
ryland. Its arguments are cogcnt and
will command the respectful considera-
tion Of all unprejudiced minds Though
the communication IS TOO morrow \, its
scope, being plea for clergy alone, still
many of its points apply with equal force
to the other interests affected by the bill
Many decided coercionists in our COM
munity express themselves hostile to the
entire measure, some cSudemning it as
calculated to promote perjury, others
alleging that they do not see how any
legislator properly impressed with the
sanctity of an oath, can assist in a plan
to divest it Of that respect which all
should have for its solemnity.
{ Under any circumstances it would be
we'll for the legislators themselves to con-
slider how far the oath submitted for
adoption consists with the cath they have
already taken, as prescribed by our State
Constitution. That Constitution requires
legislators, and all Stat, officers appointed
to place of profit or trust, to take and
subscribe the following oath II, A b.,
do swear Cor affirm, as the case may be)
that will support the Constitution of the
United States, and that | will bear true
and faithful allegiance to the State of
Maryland, and support the Constitution
and lars thereof" 1t may be well asked
whether the new oath does not altogether
ignore allegiance to the State and the
doctrine of State Rights.
To compel men to call on the Almighty
to witness pledge which they give but
do not mean to keep, from which their
hearts recoil-a pledge taken under du-
ress and the threat of fines and civil dis
abilities-a pledge which they believe to
be a violation Of their natural rights,
sounds like despotism worse than King
Dahomey's, like proclamation unworthy Of
Christian Legislators. We trust our e-
gislature may never prefer Draco's wis
dom to Solon's, or pollute their Statute
Book with civil authorizations which not
even martial law or military necessities
have hitherto laid claims to- We cannot
sec why such course should be pursued
unless our rulers think that our sins have
been so grievous, that in spirit of pen
itence we must 90 before the North with
a rope round our necks, and the imple-
ments of self-torture in our hands, and
make humble atonement for our unfor-
tunotc geographical position aud our eff
forts in the peace convention to preserve
the Union from the wild fanaticsm Of
Northern and Southern extremists. Even
political prisoners have not experienced
from the stern demands Of military ne
cessity, such oath-exactions as are pro-
posed to be administered to peaceful
4 Marylanders. We know that an oath less
stringent in its language, was profFcrod
to and declined by recent Maryland
State Rights prisoner, in Washington,
and that the gallant soldier who PROFOUND.
ed it, admired the conscientious cousis-
tency of the recusant, and ordered that
he should be released on his parole.
The situation Of Maryland is peculiar
one. With the Southern associations.
habits and institutions Of its native pop
ulation, it could not be expected by any
sane man, or demanded by any liberal
statesman, that she should rush into this
strife with the patriotic Juror with which
the Northern heart appears to have been
animated No civilized being, not the
statesmen at Washington, not her most
exacting enemy, could demand this from
her. And yet. alas we at home seem
determined to be harder on ourselves
than others arc; to be falling fast into
| political insanity We seem determined
that every white citizen who sees in this
strife more danger than hope, shall sink
to state more servile than the negroes.
Alas, that those States whose swords are
flashing for their country's flag should
feel more for Maryland than her own
natural protectors
Not many weeks have elapsed since
two citizens Of our State, who were scat
cd in the Washington cars, were discuss
ihS tuc unhaPPJ PVSi'."" VI 'i"' '"""'
when, looking around they espiod an
officer apparently Of high rank. Upon
seeing him they apologised for their con-
versation, rcmarking that they we're not
aware of his presence, and Of course had
no intention Of being rude. The officer
replied, Gentlemen, your apology is
entirely unnecessary; ] can appreciate
your feelings, and were Marylandcr.
my own would fully accord with them
No one should doubt that Maryland is,
Of all States in the Union, the one most
interested 10 its welfare. Hor geograph.
ical position, not less than the lofticr
motives Of patriotic devotion, make it
most desirable for her 10 sec it "now and
forever one and inseparable"
But we trust VIC can love tho Union,
and still mourn over the internecinc war
which brings brothers face to face in
deadly combat. that we may toll without
treason to check the bloody conflict which