Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1863-02-13
iooIiticol.
SPEECH OF THE HON. HENRY MAY,
On the Bill to Raise 10000 Negro
Volunteers for the Military and
Naval Service of the U. states.


Naval Service of the U. States.
Mr.. Speaker, the respect that feel for
the people of the State | in part repre-
sent, my knowledge of their feelings,
their interests, and, | believe, their ulti
mate determination, require me to state
some objections to this measure. Sir,
with respect to the relations of this ques-
ton as measure of Federal power, | am
dismissed from all obligation to consider
It, AS a manifestation of military
strength, these measures are simply pre-
posterous As an evidence Of national
policy, they are eninently disgraceful. =
Sir, they will fail, and the enlightened
opinion of mankind will pronounce upon
the attempt condign Judgment. TO us,
who are familiar with the characteristics
of the African race, these theories that
sentimental gentlemen on the other side
no frequently present but serve to amuso,
their ideas Of the perfectability Of the
negro, are another lesson to instruct us in
that mortal presumption which raises
questions with eternal power, and chal-
IEuDGS tut pitilG VI tut NiEatVl
Sir. I never hear these platitudes
sounded in this hall and intended to ele-
rate ~, negro to the same scale of being
with the white man, without recognizing
an attempt to overthrow those gradations
which lie has established in the distribu-
tons Of intellect, and am reminded Of
the admontions of that noble " Essay on
Man." which beg leave now to repeat
for the ediGcation of these gentlemen
"Go, wiser thou, and in thy scale Of sense
Weigh thy opinion against Providence
Call imperfection what thou fancest such
Say, here he gives too little, there too much.
Destroy all creatures for thy sport Of gust,
And cry, If mans unhappy, Gods unjust;
II man alone engross not Heaven s high care,
Alone made mortal here immortal there,
Snatch from lis hand the balaneeand the rod,
Rejudge Bis justice be the god Of Cod
Sir, we wac recognize the amiable dis
position Of the domesticated African, his
inert nature, his slovenly habits, his clum-
siuess, his want Of vigilance, and his
timidity, know that Of all human beings
he presents the least qualifications for a
soldier. Go to your soldiers at Port
Royal, New Orleans, or Hampton and
ask them what they think Of this, and
they will tell you that the effort to erect
the domestieated African into soldier is
q preposterous exhibition Of human pre-
sumption and folly, Mr. Speaker, We
are Informed that his sable majesty, the
King Of Dahomey, has raised up around
him. in tie savage instincts Of his race,
an army tremendously inylnciUlc, but
cruel beyond all parallel in the records
Of history. savage or civilized. Is it the
King Of Dahomey whose example is to
be presented here for cur adoption in this
enlightened, civilized and Christian land
Do gentlemen consider when they refer
to instances Of the employment Of the ne
gro in the war Of the Revolution, or by
that great commander at New Orleans,
that there be was engaged in fighting on
tie side Of bis virtues? And do they not
see that The proposition here isan attempt
to array him on the side Of bis vices, aud
make him emulate the ferocious displays
Of the King Of Dahomey, or the horrors
of San Domingo?
The people Of Maryland recoil with alb
horrence from proposition that may
lead to such results. They are startled
BY it. The civilized, enlightened and
Christianizcd world will condemn to un-
mtigated scorn that legislation which
would plant on our statute books meas
ure so Infamous and Internal. Do we not
reeollect the thrill Of instructive emotion
with which we have listened, when chill
dren, TO the rehearsal Of that noble phil
'lippie which Lord Chatham delivered
against the proposition to employ savages
in the war against our forefathers The
impulses which responded to the noble
eloquenco of that great orator were but
the strong and emphatic admonitioDs OF
nature, which should ever guard us
against measures so revolving to humans
ty. ! do not hesitate to say that rather
thar these furies shall be let loose upon
our countrymen " like Ate fresh from
hell" the people Of my State will plant
themselves in defiant opposition to those
who, regardless of every obligation both
human and divine, have summoned such
demoniaeal agencies to maintain their
power.
But, sir, independently Of the grounds
Of objection / have stated, am also OPP
posed to this measure because I am OPP
posed to the war wish briefly TO pre-
sent my views on this ground Of objec-
ton. ] wish to do 50 with feeling Of
profound grief for the situation Of our
country. No views Of personal nature,
no feelings Of resentment or of disap-
pointment shall miuge with my thoughts;
no cap.ious criticisms, nor yet factious
design. shall mar the sincere views that
| now propose to present. | approach
with diaidenee and apprehension the APP
paliug condition Of our bleeding coun-
try
"a sinking State By darling schemes opprssd d,
When vengeance listens to the fools .eqaest.'
l would avoid the contemplation Of is