Civilian & telegraph. [volume] (Cumberland, Md.) 1859-1875, 1864-12-01
GOV. RRAnF0RD,

The port performed by TIC Governor OF
Maryland in The great events which haveesig-
naliscd the last three years, will be recognized
by the future historian, MS CT incnlcuablo
value to the causc of the Union and of cn!an4
cipation. In 1861, our State seemed almost
upon the point Of prccipitotirg herself into
the vortex of secession, which had already en-
quilted tht>istcr State of Virginia, Under the
lead of her reasonable Legislature, steps were
taken which tended no where else tLan to open
rebellion against the Federal Government.
We blcvc that nothing but the arrest and
imprisonment of the traitors in that body,
saved us from ALL and more than all, the woes
which rebellion has brought upon Virginia
and the South. That vigorous and necessary
procedure on the part of the Government, was
the means Of our salvation. Treason received
II blow from which it never recovered. At the
ensuing election Augustus W. Bradford was
chosen Governor, and the last hope of uniting
the fortunes of Maryland with those of the
South, died The Union party had been
Nltuoub ipi "a 'upoC " Hhph
the people looked for guidance, while detcst=
ing rebellion, had few words of encourage
nicnt for the Government, and none of con-
dcmnation for the Rebels. Their old horror
of I" Black Republicans" and " Abuilionists'
still remained in full forccr They hated these
latter only less than the fellow -conspirators eff
jeff. Davis--and as between Abraham Lincoln
and the President of the so-callctl Southern Con-
federacy it is hard sGy which was most obn0t-
ions TO tfNcnr. They affected to make distinc-
tons between the Government and the
d" Administration, and while they avowed
allegiance to the one they proclaimed undying
hostility to the other In short, they were
for the Cnon---upon conditions. Not so with
Governor Bradford. In his memorable can
vass Of the State prior to his election, he laid
down the platform upon which the Union men
of Maryland have stood ever SINCE, and I've
then expressed those view, which hive since
chryslaized in that Article of tie Bill of
Rights in our new Constitution which declares
d" that the Constitution of the United States,
"and the laws made in pursuance thereof,
fare the supreme law of the land"
In his correspondence with the Hon. Frank
Thomas in 1868, he declared himself in favor
the State with view to Emancipation, and he
gave the whole weight of his character position
and influence to the Bill passed by the Lcgis-
lature last winter for that purpose. His SER
vices in aid of the efforts then first legally
made to preserve the purity of the ballot-box
from contamination BY traitors will never he
forgotten. HE recent action upon the ques-
tions connected with the submission of the
new Constitution are yet fresh in the memory
of all. 1t is perhaps not too much to say
that to his great abilities, his firmness, and
patriotism, VIC owe it that the will of the pco-
pie us expressed by the majority of the Con
stituticnal ConNcntiori lras been fully carried
out sAa FIRMLY established. We regard it as
fortunste Cor the State, that the new Consti-
tuition provides that VIC are to- have the adj
vantage of his services a. the helm for yet
another year. His administration will thus
form the connecting link between the past
and the future. 1t is the bridge which spans
the fearful chasm between Slavery and rebel
lion, an | Freedom and the Union He en-
tered upon the discharge of the duties of his
Office in the darkest hour of our history. For
three years the storm has ragged aruHha him.
Thrice has the State been invaded by mighty
hosts and devastation has followed in their
footsteps. JIclns had his own personal share
and the ruin and destruction caused by the
war, as well as his part in the political and
social revolution which has been going on
during this period. The latter lras been hap
PLY consummatcd, and VIC believe the signs
to point to Il like happy conclusion Of 'lc war
for the Onion When his term of Office shall
expire VIC confidently expect he will leave
Maryland prosperous and free, and the Union
rcstored and at peace. Such will be fitting
end to his gubernstorial career.