Port Tobacco times, and Charles County advertiser. (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1845-1898, 1862-02-20

such course should be pursued, unless our
rulers think that our sins have been so grievolls.
that in spirit of penltence we must go bel"'e
the North with rope round our necks, ami Il G
implements of self-torture in our hands. n q
make humble atonemcnt for our unt"rtunafe
geographical position and our efforts in the peace
convention to preserve the Union from the wild
fanaticism of Northern and Southern extremists.
Even political prisoners have not experenf' d
from the stern demands of military necessity,
such oath-exactions as are proposed to be adj
ministered to peaceful Marylanders. We know
that an oath less stringent in its language, was
'proffered to and declined by recent Maryland
States Rights prisoner, in Washington, and that
the gallant soldier who propounded it, admired
the conscientious consistency ofthe recusant and
ordered that he should be released on his parole.
The situation Of Maryland is a peculiar one.
With the Southern associations, habits and IN
stitutons Of it's native population, it could not
be expected by any sane man, or demanded ny
any liberal statesman, that she should rush into
this strife with the patriotic Juror with which
the Northern heart appears to have been ANNA
ted. No civilized being not the statesmen at
Washington, not her most exactng enemy. could
demand this from her. And yet. alas we at
home seem determined to he harder on ourselves
than others are to be falling fast into political
insanity We seem determined that every whit"
citzen who sees in this strife more danger than
hope, shall sink to state more servlle than the
negr's Alas. that those States whose swords
are flashing for their countrvS flag, should feel
more for Maryland than her own natural pro-
tectors
Not many weeks have elapsed since two cit-
zens Of our State, who were scatter. il, the WASH
ington cars. were discussing the unhappy posi-
ton Of Maryland. when, looking around. they
espied an officer apparently Of high rank. Upon
seeing him they apol"gised for their conversation,
remarking that they were not aware Of his pre-
sence and Of course had nn intention of being
rude. The officer replied "Gentlemen. yc',r
apology is entirely unnecessary can appreci
ate your feelings, and were | Marylander. my
own would fully accord with them"
No one should doubt that MARYLAND Is, of al
States in the Union. the most interested il,
its welfare. Her geographical position not less
than the lnfter motives "f patriotic devote"
make it most desirable for her t" see it ''n"w
and forever one and inseparahl-." But "tru
we can love the Union. a, still mourn over tie
'in.ernecine war which brings brothers face e
face in deadly combat, that we NAV toll with,'
treason to check the bloody conflict which strews
the battle field with the Ifcless bodies of The
.hravest and hest of n, rthern and Southern
spirits Marvan1ers at least whose position
puts CnerH allke III SOcldi contact win tne Nhrtf
and the South. whose location between the two
has enabled her to know both well, may act
without hatred towards either section and should
mot be forced by any unwise legislation to swear
to what they do not feel. For the love of har-
rt1ony and Justice we say to those entrusted with
our destiny. leave us the little quiet we still pos
:sess let we'll enough alone, violent enactments
will make things no better. In times like these
there must be conflicting views which no legis-
lation can wholly eradicate.