616 



MARYLAND. 



conierenco and organization, " that they might 

 be able more effectually to sustain the Nation- 

 al Administration in its great struggles." In 

 response to resolutions of a mass meeting in 

 Cumberland on April 80th, the Grand League 

 issued a call for a State convention to assem- 

 ble in Baltimore on June 16th. The call was 

 addressed to "all persons who support the 

 whole policy of the Government in suppress- 

 ing the rebellion." Meantime a meeting of 

 Conservative Union men representing about 

 half of the counties of the State was held in 

 Baltimore on May 14th, which resulted in a 

 meeting of the State Central Committee above 

 mentioned, by whom a State convention was 

 called to meet on June 23d. The convention 

 called for June 16th met and adopted the fol- 

 lowing resolutions: 



Resolved, That the unconditional Union men of Ma- 

 ryland ought to vote for no candidate for Congress 

 who does not avow himself in favor of giving a hearty 

 support to the whole policy of the Administration, 

 and pledge himself to enter and abide by the Admin- 

 istration caucus for Speaker of the House of Repre- 

 sentatives. 



Resolved, That the unconditional Union men of 

 Maryland ought to nominate and vote for no candidate 

 for the General Assembly who does not pledge himself 

 to call a constitutional convention, to assemble at the 

 earliest practicable period. 



Resolved, That the policy of emancipation ought to 

 be inaugurated in Maryland. 



They made no nominations but appointed a 

 committee of conference and adjourned to the 

 23d. The only general officers to be chosen at 

 the election in November were a comptroller 

 and commissioner of the Land Office. Mem- 

 bers of Congress from districts were also to be 

 chosen. On the 23d both conventions assem- 

 bled. They were designated, for distinction 

 sake, as the Union League Convention, and the 

 State Central Committee Convention. The 

 Committee of Conference of the former pro- 



Eosed to a like committee appointed by the 

 itter, that both conventions should adjourn 

 tine die, after uniting in a call for a third con- 

 vention to meet at a future day for the purpose 

 of making nominations. The latter committee 

 declined the proposition, and as the former 

 made its adoption an alternative, both commit- 

 tees separated. 



The convention called by the State Commit- 

 tee then adopted the following, with other 

 resolutions : 



The State of Maryland, faithful as ever to the prin- 

 ciples of national unity and independence which actu- 

 ated our forefathers ; iinn in its reliance on the Govern- 

 ment they founded, and undisturbed in its trust by 

 the two years oT war which have deluged our fields 

 with blood, sends these her delegates from every quar- 

 ter of her territory to renew her solemn pledge to the 

 world in behalf of that Constitutional Government of 

 the United States, which for more than three quarters 

 of a century compelled the respect of mankind and 

 secured the liberty, happiness, and prosperity of all its 

 people. 



In testimony whereof, it is by this convention 

 Resolved, 1st, That we consider it our proud privi- 

 lege to republish our faith, and to set forth our deter- 

 mination in the face of those enemies of our common 



country who now stand in hostile array on the soil of 

 Maryland eager to drag her into the vortex of national 

 ruin. 



Resolved, 2d, That it is the paramount duty of every 

 citizen to proclaim his unwavering support of the 

 Union of these States as the only safeguard against 

 domestic anarchy and foreign interference; that in 

 the Union and Constitution may be found the quiet, 

 peaceful remedy for every political ill that can 

 befall a \ust and law-abiding people; and that 

 we should now and forever discountenance every 

 effort, from whatever quarter, to sever the bonds 

 that have so long held us together in harmony as a 

 nation. 



Resolved, 3d, That her unquestionable duty is to 

 stand by the constitutional authorities of our country 

 in the firm, unflinching prosecution of a war wickedly 

 forced on us; to rebuke with cordial alacrity every 

 effort to create disunion by the formation of parties or 

 factions opposed to the Government or injurious to the 

 Constitution ; and with patriotic zeal, to cast aside all 

 personal predilections; all differences upon subordi- 

 nate measures of State policy, so that by unity of pur- 

 pose and unity of action the Union itself shall be 

 redeemed and perpetuated. 



Resolved, 4th, That as the sword alone is tendered to 

 us by the enemies of the Union, we have no alternative 

 but the acceptance of that sad arbitrament ; that re- 

 bellion is not to be conquered by politics ; that this 

 convention ignores all issues, local or national, but 

 those of war, until treason shall succumb before an 

 offended people. 



A resolution was also adopted declaring that 

 the Legislature, at its next session, should make 

 provision for submitting to the people the 

 question of the call for a constitutional con- 

 vention. They nominated S. S. Maffit for 

 comptroller, and "Wm. L. W. Seabrook for 

 commissioner, and adjourned. The convention 

 called by the Grand League after the failure of 

 the Committee of Conference to agree, nomina- 

 ted H. H. Goldsborough for comptroller, and 

 Wm. L. W. Seabrook, above mentioned, for 

 commissioner. The following resolutions, of- 

 fered by a member, were unanimously adopted, 

 and the convention adjourned : 



Resolved, That the Union men of Maryland are un- 

 conditionally such, and in favor of the most vigorous 

 measures for the suppression of the rebellion, and the 

 restoration of the National authority throughout the 

 Republic. 



Resolved, That there is no such thing in times of 

 rebellion as supporting the National Government 

 without supporting the Administration of the Nation- 

 al Government; that the administration of the Na- 

 tional Government is confined by the Constitution to 

 the President, assisted in their several spheres of 

 duty by the administrative departments; and that 

 therefore, while the freedom of speech and of the 

 press should not be arbitrarily infringed, therefore 

 the measures of the President, and the general policy 

 of his administration, should, under the present try- 

 ing circumstances of the country, be sustained by all 

 true patriots in a spirit of generous confidence, and 

 not thwarted by captious criticism or factious oppo- 

 sition. 



The division of the Union men of the State 

 now became complete. One party was desig- 

 nated as Union men and the other as Uncondi- 

 tional Union men; and emancipation became 

 one of the most important subjects of discussion 

 in the political canvass. On the llth of Sep- 

 tember the State Central Committee issued an 

 address to the people of the State, in which they 



