The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1866-05-12
Address to the Loyal Registered
Voters Of the state Of Maryland

tive Committee of the State Central Com
mttee of the Unconditional Union men of
Maryland, deem it our duty to direct the
especial attention of the loyal men OF Mary
land to the recent proceedings Of this COM
mittee, at meeting held in Baltimore ON
the first day of this month.
These proceedings indicate clearly that
there is very material difference OF opinion
in the Committee, on vital and essential
principles of public policy.
The State Central Committee was organ
lied by the Convention tina: dominated Gov
ernor Swami for election rs the first Gov
ernor of the free State of Maryland. AT
that time there was no difference of opinion
in this Central Committee as to the policy of
carrying into effect that clause in the Con-
stitution of the State intended to deprive
Rebels and Rebel sym athizcrs of an oppor-
tunty to control the political dcatines of
Maryland. All of the members of the Com
mittec favored the election Of Delegates to
the Legislature favorable to the enactment
of Registry law which would give practical
effect to this declared object of the Consitu-
ton. 1t now appears that a majority of the
Executive Committee have SO far changed
their vie rs upon this subject as to refuse
to sustain resolution in favor of that
law, and dcprecating either its repeal or
modification. Whatever explanation may be
given to show that this vote was not test of
the sentiments of the Committee, is neutral
ICED by the significant fact, that on the same
occasic vacancy in the Committee was
filled by the appointment ola gentleman who
had recently participated in the proceedings
Of a meeting i'll company with known SYM
pathizcrs with the rebellion, and men whom
that law excluded from suffrage, at which it
was proposed to organize a neu party to
support the policy ofthe President, "cHhout
reference to past political distinctions," and
the further fact that the power of filling al
vacancies was committed to the chairman OF
of the committee who some months ago, at a
Democratic meeting took decided ground
against the law as il now stands.
Not only in the State Central Committee,
but outside of it, we regret to say that there
are evidences Of some change of opinion in
men heretofore deemed true and trusty to
the great principles for the furthcrancc OF
which the Union party of Maryland was or
: an led. Every member of the Committee
rofcsses to BE- hostile to any measure which
may have tendency to place disloyal men
in power in the National or State Govern
ment. 1t is not difficult, however, to dis
to what constitutes that loyalty which would
make voter of a representative a safe de
I"noDrs - " psS' We " I"l;,r rc'''"
a strict and rigid adherence to the Registry
law of Maryland is wel,devised mode oil
testing the loyalty of voters, and we utterly
repeliate the idea that either as voters o.
representatives. men are to be treated OF
trusted as loyal who were recently in rebel.
lion, or who, aifording aid and comfort to
Rebels, now claim to be loyal because they
can show that their crimes have been merci,
fully pardoned, and WHO impndently demand
political privileges under our. restored Union
equal in all respects to those granted by
our constitution and laws National and
State) to the fearless and faithful men who
perilled life and property to uphold Gov.
ernment which traitors and their aidcrs and
abettors were strrgglingto overthrow. Under
these circumstances, although a minority OF
the Executive Committee, we feel authorized
to invite the loyal Union men to meet in
| their several counties and in the city of Bal
timore, and select delegates to a State Con.
vention to be assembled at an early day, to
reorganize our party preparatory to the ap-
preaching State elections; and we hope a!
such primary meeting the people themselves
will signify distinctly and vnequiyocally then
principles and purposes, and that the State
Convention will organize a Central Commit,
tee in harmony with the popular wishes or
all open questions, State and National
| which at our approaching elections src to be
decided. The Union men of Tennessee have
Just gone through a desperate struggle tc
maintain a law similar to our own. Another
! struggle is now going on in West Virginia
where the returned Rebel soldier and thcir
sympathizing conservative friends are striv.
ing to do what the Dem l,ic p lrty ID the
so called conservatives of this State invit,
you to initiate. The Unionists of Kentuck,
in an evil hour needed the same mad coun
| sells that would now delude you, and repeal
| ed their xpatration laws. The consequence
has been total crushing out Of Union Senti.
/ ment wherever the Rebel element has had I;
! change to measure its strcngth-the dispacc
ment OF True Union m2r, and the elevation
of Rebels or sympathizers in their stead
We all know that the Democratic party il
Maryland is organized and actively engaged
I in agitation, with view to the repeal Of oul
| Registry law. We know that thicr purpose:
in that respect are countenanced by men who
| CLAIM, to be of the loyal Union party. We
know that the Democratic party of the UniteC
States is organized and agitating clamorousl,
for restoration to power in the Genera
Government of traitors who have no evidence
of loyalty but Presidential pardon and W,
find in this state of affairs abundant reason
for appealing earnestly and respectfully to
the loyal Union men of Maryland to NEE
FORTHWITH and ORGANIZE, that we may hold
fast to the glorious Government which ha;
been, under Providence, restored by oul
brave soldiers in the field, and not be agar
endangered by failure of the people to
guard against attempts at its overthrow
through the medium of our election.
| Impressed with these convictions. and
feeling that we are giving expression to thu
wishes and desires of all loyal men in tn,
State, we request all Unconditional Unior
men. who are registered voters, and sucl
soldiers and sailors as have returned HON,
since the Registry law has been in operation
to meet in primary meeting and to sclec
such number of delegates from each count,
and the city of Baltimore as they are enttle,
by usage-to meet in the city of Baltimore
on Wednesday, the sixth day of June next.
JOHN l. THOMAS, Dr.,
ROBERT NJ. PRoUD,
! WIN. p. KIMBALL,
| SAMUEL NJ. EVANS,
Members of the State Executive Committe
of Unconditional Union party. 3
ny. The following is copied from tn