St. Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1845-1863, 1862-01-02

y" =" s"s "~a" Va "OS'sy s"v Pc"Oc.
The Test Oath System.
Amid tho multiplicity Vi evils that have
grown out Of tho existing revolution in
this country. nothing, in cur Judgment. Is
10 be SO much deprecated as the gradual
OLl;tes.tisn of the old land-marks hy
which our Legislators have been guided
aimee the days Of Washington. The vis-
dom sf our laws and the respectful obser-
vance Of them by our people were until
within the part few n'cn.hs Vi our existence.
subjects Of worldwide remark and he pe-
litical economists Of Europe have been
much exercised TO dircovsr how pr"grcs-
sive aud fillibussering people could be gov
crned except through the medium Of .
military attache to the civic arm. Our
answer has bccn-we are Americans and
are proud of our c untry aud Of our FREE
institutions have Constitution aud
code Of laws handed down By our fathers.
aud. under their gu;dancc, We have growu
great. prosperous aud happy-and We rc:y
upon the patriotism and Intelligence Of
each other, rather than the bayonet Of the
n.ercenary. for their maintenance aud per-
pstnity. Aud this we had learned to re-
gard as the accepted american theory Of
our fOrm Of Government. 1t is true rcvO-
lasiou has supcrvened. and some Of the
States. in the exercise Of wha. they claim
as political right. have Withdrawn from
the Union. In these States. where revo-
luton aud civil strife cxist, the isssr arma
''1r@ hgcs doctrine may probably furnish
some justification fur departure from the
accustomed and recognized mode Of sd
"i"istcring ,h. laws upon this continent.
but. in she loyal or remaining States, is
there n necessity f.r the infringement of
the C"ns,itutio aal rights of ,he people i:
u not every citizen clearly entitled to a
free expression If his political opinions.
snd i. there any law to punish him for it :!
But, let us return to the subject Of this
articlc-the test oath system. The Gov
ernment has established system of arrest
ing citizens charged or suspected with be-
ing disloyal. aud forcing them to select be-
tween the oath Of allegiance and an indc6-
mite abode in souac Federal fortress. This
system Of oppression is especially prevs-
Int in Maryland. and We have witnessed
i,s progress. for sou.e months passed, with
no small degree IF alarm and repugnancc.
IT, citizen If the United States commits
an offence against its laws We ask-how
can tho oath Of allegiance atone for the Of
fence If he has committed no offence,
what rigb: has the Government to exact
the oath of allegiance FROM him: Can
mere opposition to the policy Il the Gov
ernmens justify the perprct..ioa Of such
an indigui.y AZ the swearing Of the man-
ar iorn to support the Government that.
Lut for his forefa,hers. would never have
existed! And docs not this c"nJuct on
the part Of the Government bsgrt distrs'st.
aud engender secret dc.ires for change
uhdsr which more enlarged liberties may
be enjoyed: And. Wherein can the Gov
ernment be the gamer by this mode Of
dealing with the opponents Of its policy :?
but j. il useless to dwell upon the matter.
The Government has marked out its line
Of policy aud. we suppose, will pursue it
irrespective If the views Of others uIe"
the subject. Ii is even proposed that Hhs
.ystrm of secret ballot shall be abolished,
in the States where enemies to the Gov
crnn,ent are srppossd to exist. aud that
voter. shall hereafter be compelled to take
the oath Of all. glance ere they be permit
ted to deposit their ballots. Nor is ,hi.
n.tarious and dcspo.ic project without its
supporters in our own midst. The An
napelis Gazette, Gov. Hicks organ, fav"rs
il. aud We learn, with shame, that there
arc many. high in authority in the State
willing 10 give their support to such
measure. Such bold conspirat"rs against
the liberties and ancient rights Of the peo-
pie, now find their reward in the protcc-
,ion aud favor Ut the Government. aud
can, We surI~se. we'll afford TO support
any measure to further the Governments
designs. We would warn them, however.
l.y bidding tl'cm to take counsel by the
city u Eal,ia,orc Ola past occasion. \
few years ago. the same party. now SO
prominently allied with the fomentors Of
this test oath pr,jcr,. hold political COLI
troll Of that city by majority Of IL, coo