The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1866-01-11
Hon. Montgomery blair.

Hon. Montgomery Blair publishes a
letter, under date Of the 18th ult., de-
Tending himself against some miscon.
structions Of the Baltimore american,
in reference to views contained in letter
he had previously written. He speaks
thus Of his present course:
The article also charges me with in
consistency in opposing the registry
law, alleging that / did not oppose its
passage last winter, and that / supported
the Constitution which authorizes IT,.
was not in Annapolis after the regis
try law was presented, and it was sprung
upon the Legislature at the last mo
ment, and was passed through, but little
time for discussion being allowed, and
without any opportunity being afforded
me to interpose ~ s7
II supported the Constitution, but. az
| declared from the stump, only because
of the emancipation clause, which |
considered necessary war measure
Being a sincere friend for this para
mount reason, could not set forth the
dement's OF the instrument on other
points. | therefore waived all discus
sion on such points, giving assurances,
which 1 then believed and still hope to
be well founded, that no serious evils
could arise from the Objectionable clauses
before we could annul them. at
My antagonism to the whole Radical
family Of measures having for their OBJ
ject the exclusion of the white people of
the South from suffrage and the exten.
sion OF the right to negroes, to be direct
cd by the Freedmen's Bureau, is not
doubted nm sure By any one who takes
any interest in my relations to the sub
jcct. The only question is, whether our
Maryland bantiing belongs to that
breed. t'
You maintain that il does not, and
that there il no negro suffrage party in
Maryland. ! do not question your sin
cerity; but as honestly entertain a
different opinion. The recognized lead
ers Of the Radical party in Maryland
already openly advocate negro suffrage.
The registry system, Of which they are
the authors, IL preparatory measure.
They must keep step with their allies,
and they know that they cannot keep in
line with their friends in the North and
be recognized by them without declar-
ing for negro suffrage, They could not
hope for success in Maryland whilst
suffrage was allowed TO the Democratic
party hence that party must be dis
francldsed. A majority Of the remain
ing voters could then carry the meas
urc- The meagre vote lately cast shows
With what viRor the work has been
prosecuted to reduce the numbers ne
ccasary TO be controlled for the accom-.
pishment OF their scheme. The pres
surp Of the party organizations outside
! OF Maryland, and other influences, are
relied on te carry through the work.
In conclusion, allow me to add that
have been for nearly twenty years an
open opponent both of negro slavery
and negro equality. | have held to tho
doctrine of Mr.. jefferson, that ''nothing
is more certainly written ia the book of
fate than that these people (the negroes)
are % be free nor is it less certain
that the two races, equally free, cannot
live in the same Goyernment--nature,
habit, and opinion have drawn indellible
lines ef distinction between them. 1t
is still in our power to direct tho process
Of emancipation and deportation, and in
such slow degree that the evil will wear
off insepsibl5 and their place be pari
pdssH dlled up BY free white laborers.-
II, on the contrary, it is left to force it.
self on, human nature must shudder at
the prospect held up. We would in
vain look for an example in the Spanish
deportation or depletion Of the Moors,"
We have lived 70 see this prophecy
terribly fulfilled and yet | fear the end
is not yet. If We do not heed the coun-
sels cfthis almost inspired statesman,
and the programme now proposed for
having negro suffrage ''forced on" us is
adhered to, human nature will shudder
| yet more before the work is complete.
The President, Gen Grant, Gen.
Sherman, and indeed all wise and
thoughtful men acquainted with tho
subject, agree with Mr.. Jefferson in the
| opinion TINT the process Of forcing on
us negro suffrage involves war Of ra-
ces, and this will entail, fear, a civil
war Of wider dimensions even than the
last. Revereing the teachings Of Mr..
Jefferson, sought in my opposition to
slavery to do my humble part to save
my couutrymen from the calamities
which he predicted and which have be-
fallen them. In my efforts inthe pres
ent conjecture, / still seek 10 follow the
same wise and benevolent teacher in
order to avoid a second instalment of
calamity probably more appalling than
| TIA frat IrH