Maryland free press., 1866-06-07
For the Free Press. Press

For the Free fress.
Mr.. EDIToR:-In q previous number we en-
deavored to show forth the teachings and practice
of Peter Negley, Editor of the Herald" as
type of our prescnt-day patriotism and loyalty
he being representative man; havi1g selected
him me r. par ssuarly, from the fact that he has
been indulging in n long and bitter TRADE Of
abuse against all who differ from him in opinion.
We think that we have shown conclusively that
he has been. like many others,a clustering windy
scandalizcr or loyalist one of those who would
give the 'tost dollar and last man to carry on
the war; but who, when the enemy was near, was
always seen among the first to leave, with his
coat-tail standing pcrpendicularly TO the base of
his spinal column; that he has never shed one
drop Of blood from his carcass TO prove the truth
of what Horace so beautifully snng:-'"hs sVect
and noble to die ~ ones country''; that he has
never paid more taxes than was his due never
furnished substitute for the armyincver, in fact,
has done more than the most outspoken sympa-
thizer, except gnss and blow through his own
trumpet; and last, though not least, after having
been selected through the bavonct, to seat in the
so-calltd Constitutional Convention, he commit
ted, what thrce-iourths of the citizens of the
State regarded, rightfully or not we leave others
to say, an act Of perjury, in swearing to support
the Constitution, which says 'no man shall be
deprived Of his property without a due process of
law, and irprivatc property is taken for public
use just compensation shall be given;'' and yet
while Mr.. Lincoln, an anti-slavery man, from
principle was paying S3Oe apiece for slaves as
property TO enter the army, Mr.. Negley and his
four compeers from this County, deliberately vo-
ted TO rob the people of his OWE State of forty
millions of dollars worth, without one cent in re-
It ri, and even inserted clause in the present
INST ton declaring tlai no subsequent Lcgsla-
iure should pay the owners and this man has
t lie audacity in his paper, TO pirate to his former
Constituents and Others about honesty in bank
officers; about State and national oJligatons
about rebels, and traitors; soldiers and ju,tice!-
This is indeed Satin rebuking Sin. A brave
man for deeds, but coward always for profess
sions.
But we continue. Another event enacted in
the drama of The. celebrated Constitutional Con-
vention should not be forgotten. We cite
it only to show the intensity of the poison which
lurkcd under the iangs of the five:vipers who sat
from this County. Our armies it will be remem-
bered had desolated Virginia, carried off horses,
cattle and sheep, and left nothing but ruin in
their track. In return when the Confederates
came Oh our side they rctaliatcd, but only SO far
us TO take horses and other necessaries for an
army; and this they did without distinction OF
party. These five members thought it would be
fine opportunity to display their justice and
magnmimity, SO they voted, with Pete, to make
all OF the disloya Il. c. Constitutional men and
anti-negro worShippersl pay for the losses of the
loyal, after Pete and the rebels had robbed them
| already. Pctcwas no doubt thinking then of the
loss which he had sustained in sacrificing Young
A ,drew Jackson, W! cl he imagined the rebels
were nflcr him, and Inc was about taking the first
boat. Then he forgot about ''the last dollar and
the last man." But fortunately there were some
sensible men' pre- ent in filc Convention, who had
II few consrient ous scrupler, who declined to en-
ter into the arrangement. This did not prevent
our fadtfm representatives, however, from yo-
ting themselves some hundred dollars extra ;" tC
each member for distinguished services which
draft the treasurer respectfully sdecned TO honor
The history of those times and of that Conven-
ton Mr.. Editor, will yet be written. 1t will
constitute dark page TO be read by our chill
dren. All law was subvertcd, and the sword did
the work. Bastiles stood open to receive inno-
cent men for opinions sake. Con. Lew Wallace
G " orders, and Col. Fish of Penitentiary fame,
did his work. Gov. Bradford was mere non-
entity, only to fall into line and while poor Mary
land was marshalling her hosts for battle, Peter
was not among thcm-our organic law was
changed, society uprooted, many thousands
poverty stricken in the twinkling of an eye, and
measures passed for the creation of the present de-
lectable Registry law which is to protect the Ed
itor of the Herald and his colleagues from the
wrath of an indignant and outraged people,
deep muttering of the thunder in the distance
tells us that the storm is coming; and when tina,
storm does break, we hope that Peter and his four
colleagues will not forget to seek some of the
loaves and fishes. 1t will he pleasant for an op-
pressed and abused people TO meet face to face
those who have acted so kindly towards them.-
In addition to their gentle treatment of oppo-
nents their tried bravery on the battle field, as
evidenced by their gaping wounds and mangled
limbs, it will be delightful to remember that they
were members Of the celebrated Constitutional
Convention, which recommended the Registry
law, and so generously paid for property, as the
Constitution requires. ...
JUSTICE.
For the Free Press.