Civilian & telegraph. [volume] (Cumberland, Md.) 1859-1875, 1862-01-16
INAUGURAL ADDRESS
GOV. A. W. B r FOR D
Fellotc-citizens Of the Senate
and House of Delegates :

The present is one of those occasions peri
odically occurring in our political career that
usually excites lively interest--an interest
that may be chiefly accredited to the fact
that every such spectacle seems to call to
mind the value and success of Republican
institutions, in recognizing, as it were, the
power of the people peacefully to select and
their political rulers by the sim
pie expression of the voice OF the majority.
The emphasis with which that voice has
spoken in our recent election, and the ma
jority so unprecedented in previous political
contests, indicate that some questions Of more
than ordinary interest has stirred the popu-
lar heart.
1t is cheering reflection to every patri-
office Marylander that the cause which has
aroused this popular demonstration, and IL
nitcd the people OF our State with an ardor
and unanimity never before witnessed, is the
cause now, as ever, uppermost in their at
fections-the Federal Union and the Ma
tonal Constitution.
To preserve these institutions against the
unhallowed efforts Of those now engaged in
the attempt to subvert them, is the purpose
to which the people Of Maryland have en-
phatically pledged themselves in their re-
cent election.
Turning deaf car to every insidious APP
peal calculated to divert them from that
purpose, and TO the false issues invented to
embarrass them, they have made known their
unwavering attachment to the cause in which
they are enlisted by a vote such as no other
cause ever did or can command,
SO long as the Federal Administration
shall continue to devote, as we believe it
has hitherto done, the powers at its COM
mand faithfully to the accomplishment OF
the same national Objects and, steadfastly
resisting all attempts to misapply these
powers, shall continue to exert them with
the single and sacred purpose Of sustaining
the supremacy of the Constitution, SO long
will Maryland, impelled by every instinct of
interest and affection, unite as ardently as
she docs to-day in uphoding the Union OF
which she is proud to be the heart.
The sooner that those engaged in the re-
bcllion come to understand that this is the
position and unalterabie determination of
the people Of Maryland, the better will it be
for all concerned
There is good reason to believe that much
mischief has been already done, many ground
less hopes ingeniously excited and the rebel
lion itself stimulated and encouraged by the
grossest delusions existing abroad in refer
ence to the condition of popular sentiment
in Maryland. 1t may be useless to speculate
upon the circumstances which have led to
this delusion the one perhaps which more
than any other has contributed to it, and
caused those at distance Ia conceive that
the public sentiment Of our State sympathiz-
ed with this rebellion, hos grown out of the
prominent positions political or personal,
which those who really did So svmpathze,
have occupied or assumed.
The State Legislature usually supposed to
reflect the popular will, would have indirat-
ed that three-fourtlis of our people six
months ago united in this sympathy yet,
with the exception Of those who represented
the city of Baltimore, aud who five days az
ter the April mobs were elected without the
notice required by the Constitution, every
member Of that Legislature was elected, as
we all know, more than year before South
Carolina passed her ordinance of secession
and so far from that body having ever been
an index Of Maryland's sentiment, that SEN
timent on tho first opportunity has indicated
itself not only by the unprecedented vote it
has put on record, but by a result hardly
less remarkable that, with the single exccp-
ton of one faithful Union member, it has
not left in your popular branch one of those
elected at the time referred to.
The people Of other States have been mis-
led as TO the true position Of Maryland, not
merely by the declarations and proceedings
of those who, rs delegates were naturally
supposed to faithfully represent her, but
the activity, the pursuits, the social promi-
\ a1at # 81 L.,
people who espouse the Disunion cause, added
to their ccaseless and persistent efforts. have
given to their acticn, especially with those
: Ct distance. al apparent Importance which
their numbers never justified. They them
selves almost seem to fancy that as the as
sumed representatives Of a social class they
outweighed the old fashioned power Of num-
bers, and were well calculated TO create false
! impressions of our real condition.
That condition was at all times sufficiently
manifest to those who would take the tron-
bic to seek for il throu Ii those sources from
which the great channel of public se'timen'
is always suppIiet,-the mighty masses o
our industrial population. Traced by thai
deep current, Maryland sentiment has never
varied, and there was never time when hel
people, upon the same Issues recently pre-
sented, would not have recorded their verde
in the same emphatic terms.
That this has been effected by any collat
era circumstances, or, in the favoritc phras
of Secessionsts, is the result of maryland
suhjusation, is an insult to the intelligence
and patriotism OF her people which it scarcel.
becomes me to rcfute. Any one who will C
cur to the history of this rebellion, the as
sumption on which it is founded, and the OBJ
iects it avows, and then in connection witt
them advert to tho character Of our people
the geographical position Of our State, ant
effect of disunion upon her most importan
interests, the value and very existence of
material part of her property and her owl
security and peace, can come to no otne
conclusion than that for her people to dc
clare Internationally for the Union is a
much an instinct Of self-preservation as c
patriotic attachment to the principles C
the Constitution.
1t is not my purpose to detain you with
discussion of that fanciful theory invoked
the aid Of those who have inaugurated tn
existing revolution, and which, under the Il
tie Of "Secession," claims the right of an
State, at any time, and for any cause whic
she may declare sufficient, to cancel all he
obligations to the Federal Constitution, an
assume the exercise of powers which it en-
: phaticaly prohibits The notorious fact thu
even among those who most openly avo
l.