Washington, DC, 1998.
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RESOLUTIONS.
The General Assembly of Maryland have seen with concern certain indications at the seat of the General Government, of an interference with the institution of slavery in the slave-holding States, and cannot hesitate to express their sentiments and those of the people they represent, in regard to a policy so unwise and mischievous. This war is prosecuted by the Nation with but one object; that, namely, of a restoration of the Union, just as it was when the rebellion broke out. The rebellious States are to be brought back to their places in the Union, without change or diminution of their constitutional rights. In the language of the resolution adopted by both Houses of Congress at its extra session in July last, with remarkable unanimity, this war is declared to be prosecuted not “in any spirit of oppression, or for any purpose of conquest or subjugation, or purpose of overthrowing or interfering with the rights or established institutions of those States, but to defend and maintain the supremacy of the Constitution, and to preserve the Union, with all the dignity, equality and rights of the several States unimpaired, and that as soon as those objects are accomplished, the war ought to cease.”
The objects and purposes of the war thus impressively declared, are those alone which the Nation can rightfully contemplate in its prosecution; and the moment the object of the war changes from a simple restoration of the Union, as known to the Constitution, to something else in conflict with the guaranties of that instrument, from that moment the war itself changes its character.
The duty of the Government in a great crisis like the present is a very plain one—it is to preserve, protect and defend
It is therefore, in accordance with these views:
First, Resolved, by the General Assembly of Maryland, That we cordially approve of the resolution passed at the extra session of Congress already alluded to, and earnestly desire that in the prosecution of the war, the sentiments, and purposes it announces as the deliberate judgment of the Nation, may be steadily kept in view and faithfully adhered to by all the Departments of the Government, and by our armies in the field. Second, Resolved, That our confidence in the wisdom, firmness and moderation of President Lincoln remains undiminished. That we have seen with approval and gratification the sentiments announced by the President in his recent Message to Congress, presenting his views of the course to be pursued in suppressing the insurrection, and declaring his anxiety, that “the inevitable conflict for this purpose shall not degenerate into a remorseless revolutionary struggle,” and that in every case he has thought it proper to keep the integrity of the Union, the primary object of the contest on the part of the Government. Third, Resolved, That the wisdom of the policy announced in the said resolution of Congress, has been signally exemplified in the peaceful triumph achieved by Major General Dix, by his admirable Proclamation issued in conformity with its Fourth, Resolved, That Maryland is ready to fulfil all her constitutional obligations to the General Government, as a loyal State of the Union, and desires that the integrity of the Union may be preserved and the supremacy of the Constitution restored. Fifth, Resolved, That the Governor be requested to transmit copies of the foregoing preamble and resolutions to the President of the United States, and to our Senators and Representatives in Congress.