The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1867-02-23
Address.
To the People of Maryland

~ tHe feOpte ~ 1udfYtdhd
The Maryland Grand Council ofthe Union
League of America deems it its duty, in the
present junction of public affairs, to address
you few words of earnest appeal.
The power of the nation through years of
bloody conflict was completely successful ;
the nation was at all points triumphant and
in position to dictate terms to those that
had opposed its power and sought its destruc.
ton. With magnanimity which has no
precedent, all thought of punishment was
abandoned, and the rights, which among all
nations are recognized as belonging to the
victors over the vanquished, were held in
allegiance. The victorious nation only ask
ed that peace should be permanent; that
the pighted faith of the nation should be
held sacred; that neither we nor our poster.
ty should see the unholy rebellion renewed;
that il its fires still lived in its ashes, there
should be some constitutional guarantee that
they should not again be famed into flame.
Assassinations and perfdy blghted the
Just hope of the nation. Treason assumed
to be victorious and to dictate terms to its
conquerors. The patriotism, fidelity and
frmness of Congress met the rising peril,
and loyalty was still triumphant. TO that
body, sustained by the great Republican,
party, as the nations army was in the years
of wal, I'VE may safely confde. 1t will not
permit loyalty to become tie prey oftreason,
nor loyal men for their loyalty to be the
victims of traitors. It's magnanimous prof.
lers of justice and equality in the nation
have been rejected. 1t only remains to it to
protect the friends Of the nation from the
murdcrous persecution now waged against
tEcn throughout tho Rebel States and to
sucure TO the people of the whole country a
Government republican in fact as well as in
form. That duty it will not fail to discharge.
Upon us, in Maryland, are dcvolvcd pccu.
liar duties. We have found those whom in
AN evil hour, we trusted and placed in a
position of authority, rccrcant to the prin.
cipcs they were understood at the time of
their election to profess, and unblushngly
intriguing to barter the peace and prosper.
ity OF the State for their own personal ag.
grandizcmcnt. The Constitution of the
State and the laws passed in Pursuance there.
Of have been openly uulliiicd by those who
had sworn to uphold and execute them
This coalition has made the highest public
Offices and the most important public meas
urcs matter Of vulgar bargain and sale,
and in contempt Of public morals and com
mon dcccncy has not dcigncd to secure the
corrupt transaction by any veil of conceal
mcnt.
= 1t has ignored the existence Of the highest
questions to, and been guided by, the opin
ion of irresponsible partisan committees.
1t has appropriated the public moneys Ito
the payment OF work done for party, or the
replcnishing Of the party purse, and 10 the
building of monuments to dead partiSans for
| partisan service.
1t has undertaken, without cause or war.
rant of law, and on the filnsicst prctcxts,
to remove valuable public servants from
important, Offices, which they worthily fill.
ed, and Ito supply the places thus made vacant
with creatures Of their own, whose only
other recommendation was their doubtful
loyalty on undisguised sympathy with Rebels.
By its installations and changes Of posi-.
ton and measures it has shown an utter lack
of principle, either moral or political; and
has been faithful to one purpose only-tha,
OF attaining power and prescribing loyalty
and justice.
wages war upon the Constitution, aud il