in the counties towards the city Baltimore. I
have heard is alledged here, that there is a feeling
of hostility in the counties towards that city.
I, for one, deny it. The evidences of the past
are against that conclusion, and so far as I know
the people, no such spirit is cultivated, countenanced,
or even tolerated in the counties. Are
we not all Marylanders? Have we not all a
common interest in the growth, prosperity, wealth
and future destiny of this proud old confederate
of the original Thirteen? And though divided
at times, in opinion, as to the true policy of the
State, and the Federal Government, on questions
of great moment, yet that difference of opinion is
amicable, and whatever the result may be, the
people acquiesce in the decisions of a majority,
and things move on as before. If any section of
this State is obnoxious to the charge of disaffec-
tion, towards the aggrandizement of Baltimore
city, the county that I, in part, represent, might,
from her geographical position, be supposed to
be that section. Yet, I know of no such feeling
there. What are the facts, in reference to that
county? The fourth county in the State, in
point of territory, and with a population of over
eighteen thousand souls, eleven thousand reside
between the Pocomoke river and the Atlantic
coast. That river is, for the most part, one in
name, more than reality, being unnavigable until
it reaches the lower part of the county.
Hence the trade and commerce of that large
scope of county, lying between the Pocomoke
and the Atlantic, amounting at least two-thirds
of the whole county is directed to the cities of
New York and Philadelphia. It is estimated that
the exports of the county to New York and
Philadelphia of Indian corn alone, cannot fall
short of three hundred thousand bushels. There
is quite a large export of other products also. On
this three hundred thousand bushels of Indian
corn, we have to pay a freight of nine cents on
the bushel, which is an excess of five cents over
the average freights from the bay shore counties
to Baltimore city. This difference, on that article
alone, amounts to $15,000. The same disproportion
of frieght on other exports would
probably swell the amount to $20,000. Thus we
pay annually, because of the natural restrictions
upon commerce—in the way of indirect taxation
—the sum of $20,000. A sum, more than the
county levy and direct taxes both put together.
With a long and shallow inland bay, running parallel
with the coast, and only divided, by an irregular
string of beach, from the ocean, we perhaps
labor under greater disadvantages than any
portion of the State. "That is not all, tardy and
hazardous as our commercial operations are, we
are dependent upon the State of Virginia for an
outlet to the ocean Our forests of oak, and
pine, immensely valuable for ship building and
other purposes; and the millions of cord wood
skirting that whole coast, all remain as standing
monuments of a primeval age, and a mute comment
upon the policy of the State towards us.
Besides this, the great interest of agriculture,
suffer in a proportionate degree, from the fact,
that most of our soils are deficient in calcarious
substances, and the disabilities we labor under to
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obtain them, in consequence of the impediments
in navigation and costs of freight. So that you
see, the remarks of the gentleman from Dorchester,
(Mr. Phelps,) some time ago, that we need
no increased facilities of commerce, because of
the natural channels leading to every man's door,
does not apply to us. While he pays three cents
freight on a bushel of grain, we pay three times
that sum; while a cord of wood on his farm is
worth two dollars, it is worth nothing to us. Arill
the difference in the costs of fertilizers for the
soil, hangs as an incubus upon the spirit and enterprise
of the agricultural interests of my county.
And yet there is annually levied upon the
scanty resources, and wrung from the hard earnings
of that people, the sum of $8,758, to develop
the hidden treasures of other portions of the
State, and indirectly enhance the wealth of Bal-
timore city! A city, now third in the Union,
and destined, I trust to outstrip her northern con-
temporaries at no distant day, in population,
wealth and commerce; of which destiny the signs
of the times are full of the most flattering promise.
I state these facts to show that the charge of
hostility to Baltimore city, does not lie at our
dorr, and I state them also, as evidence of the
patriotism and integrity of the people in whose
name I speak. Why, sir; instead of our being
hostile to Baltimore city, the demands made up-
on us for relinquishment of political power, is
evidence that that is the feeling entertained towards
us by that city.
Gentlemen may guild the hate as they see fit,
and commend it to the pallate of others if they
can but I shall, on this subject, consult the first
principle in nature—self-preservation. Take
from us this power of self-preservation, and you
will take that which will not enrich you, but will
make us poor indeed. Commend the surrender
of this sacred trust, confided to my keeping, be-
cause it will advance the interests of the Whig
party, or the Democratic party? In this Con-
vention I know no party, and I mean to know
none. A Whig in principle, I hold my seat here
byvirtue of a mutual confidence of both those
parties and so long as I shall be able to under-
stand the true interests of my county, I shall
never consult party oricles or party predilections.
Why then are gentlemen so tenacious of an abstract
principle, and think us obstinate, because
we do not chime in with their views? Will
they not desist, and join with us in perfecting
those other reforms and retrenchments, so much
desired by the people, and so necessary to the
well being of the whole State? Or shall we
spend our energies in vain,, and like the mountain
in labor bring forth a mouse! Can we offer
nothing better than an abstraction, for the
ratification of the people ? A truce to this strife.
Let us meet the great question of retrenchment
in good faith to the people, and on the sixth of
June next. we shall hear from the Alleganies to
the Atlantic, the voice of a grateful people, pro-
claiming well done good and faithful servants.
Disregard their reasonable expectations, and one
universal cry of execration will roll through the
length and breadth of the State, and fearful in- |
