The Baltimore County union. [volume] (Towsontown, Md.) 1865-1909, 1866-05-05
UNION MASS MEETING AT
ToWSoNToWN.
The Coming Campaign and the Reg
iStrv Law.

The Coming Campaign and the Reg
istry Law.
An important election is coming on, at which
the people OF our State will be called upon to
select members of Congress, a Comptroller of the
Treasury, and Delegates to represent them in the
two branches of the Legislature Important
questions will come up during the contest, and
we suppose that the Registry Law viii be one of
them. Already the Rebel papers throughout the
State are beginning to denounce this law and
those of the Union party who aided in its euact-
ment, but we are convinced that it is just as es-
sentia TO the protection of loyal men as are other
laws for the protection of the community against
the depradations of evilIminded men. The malig-
nant spirit exhibited by the opponents of the
law their vehement dennnciation of every one
who is suspected of being in favor Of it, const-
tute the very best evidence of its necessity. The
chief characteristics ofthose who oppose the law
is to villify and abuse and prosecute all who up
hold it, and furnish abundant evidence that its
trainers had very clear conception of the char
acter of those it was designed 10 effect. We are
constantly told, in private and in public, that
the law is unjust because it excludes q large
number of citizens from the right of suffrage, but
those who say this take good care not TO tell US
why it happens that they are thus excluded
They forget that during the rebellion large
number ofthe citizens ofthe State did their ut
most to hand Maryland over 10 the enemies of
the Government, and this accounts for their ex-
cusion from the ballot box They forget that
they resigned the rights of citizenship when they
sold themselves TO the cause of secession, and as
that cause has gone nnder, it is with those who
chung TO the ship of State in its hour of danger
to say when they are to be repossessed of those
rights. II the registry law is offensive in its OPP
GRAFTON, it is only so far as it effects those who
aided the rebellion, and joined in the cry that
the time would come when Union man could
not live in Maryland Lee no doubt thought
the operations of Gen. Grant tyranical, because
be forced him TO give up his sword, and accept
the terms he proposed But peace throughout
the land has been the result of Gen. Grants tyr
amy, aud if we succeed in maintaining peace
and order throughout the State of Maryland, it
will not be the result SO much of a conversion of
rebels to principles of Loyalty as the result of the
Registry law.
A very pretty theory has been built up for po-
litical purposes, to the effect that the rebellion is
over, treason eradicated, and the people of the
South willing and anxious to become good citi-
Gems of the United States. In order to advance
this State Of affairs, we are to pardon all those
who engaged in the rebellion, allow them to
again become Governors, Senators, Representa-
tyes and Presidents, if they wish, and to be in ev-
cry respect equal, if not superior, to their beloved
brethren who fought against them. This theory
is, of course, paatabe food to the hungry masses
who would be benefited by universal amnesty
and unwise national legislation, and we regret
that the President OF the United States should
hare been SO blind and so inGiscreet as to have
adopted this, TO very great extent, as his poll
cy. No sooner had he taken the first step in this
direction than the combined hosts of disloyalty
throughout the nation gathered together to dc
him homage. The name of Andrew johnson
was toasted far and near throughout the length
and breadth ofevery State that had rebeled, by
lips which had but recently syllabelled the prais
es Of the gods of the Confederacy, and general
hilarity was felt because the great crime they had
committed TO go unpunshed. There is nc
pentence, no shame, no contriton, on the par
of these persons, and we have daily evidence
which even the dullest mind must comprehend
that they are not willing to come into the Union
and live peaceful, lawful life, unless they are
allowed to rule. They have formed combina.
lions, political, commercial and social, and they
entertain hatred and contempt for f" Yankees, y
and lose no opportunity 10 prescribe them
This is experience, and the facts are too stubborn
70 be set aside.
What are We asked 70 Go? We are asked tc
forget that there ever was q rebellion We arr
asked 10 barry 10 oblivion The memory Of ohr
brothers and comrades whose bones lie bleaching
on the hillsides Of the South we are asked 70
forget she insalis they have heaped upon US, and
ne misery AID Fuin They have broaght upon the
nation. We may Be willing 10 forget our personal
wEonga but Nc ara Aot wiling to forget The les
aon taaght us BY the rrbrlliou, aud We are no,
waiitag 70 ailow ne reins Of government 10 pass
inio ne haads q msn who have proved false 70
every Principis Of right aud justice. We are not
wiiling 70 lFasl them. They have deceived aud
wsiinigh ruined as. With tie same opportunities
hey would Do il again. They hate as most cordi-
ally aad lhrir greatest Jog would be the destruc-
uon Of oar naiion. What We want Is security
foF The future. We want every Office to be placed
In the hands Of men who have proved themselves
ioyai, and We want obedience 70 the laws which
are made b those who have been true 10 their
ceuniry.
The war IS over, It Is true bat the spirit that
conceived IL and invested il with features of cru
city and barbarity unknown 10 the history OF the
world, Is still alive. The men who left the State
70 carry out the behests Of treason are again
among US, and are as bitter rebels as ever. They
repeat, both, in public and private, that theirs
was noble cause, and that they were not chip-
PED, but only oUerphelmed Invest such men as
these with the elective franchise and what secu-
rity have we for the future Grant them the
privileges and immunisies they enjoyed prior to
the war, and there wiirbe no telling to what ex-
fremes their lingering love Of treason. will lead
them.
We take no delight ia reminding the disfran-
chised that they only are to blame for the posi-
iiUn they at present occupy under the laws of
the State. We wish it were otherwise we wish
their demeanor were such as to warrant the en-
tire repeal Of the Registry law. We hope the
day may soon come when the rigid provisions of
theiaw, atleast can be safely relaxed but not I'M
I'll satisfactory evidence repentance is given and
until traitors acknowledge that treason is crime
and As such deserves punishment, we shall op-
pose, in the name Of the loyal people of our
county and State any alteration in its present
provisions. When those who helped to prolong