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26 outraged and usurped sovereignty, by throwing herself into the arms of a sympathizing and kindred people; Canada, with her exposed frontier, separated only by a narrow stream, should she be disposed to reject the principle of self-govern- ment and the offer of her own independence, could hardly expect to measure lances with a people who have raised un- aided three thousand millions of money, and equipped for the field more than two millions of fighting men; and Eng- land and France, forced to struggle for maritime existence, would speedily wake up to the reality of their inherent weak- ness in such a contest, with a threatening element of their own population hailing the advance of liberal ideas, and ready to fraternize in the great march of human progress. The President was content to leave these Powers to the moral teachings of our past triumphs. His policy was peace. Eng- land and France can still have it; but it must be sought in the full recognition of the Monroe Doctrine; and the with- drawal, sooner or later, of every vestige of Monarchical rule from this continent. The issue is one of time merely. The deliberate and cautious policy upon which the President is acting, has received the sanction, I sincerely believe, of the whole American people, and I avail myself of this occasion to commend it to the endorsement and approval of the State of Maryland. INDEMNITY TO GOVERNOR BRADFORD. With the commencement of the term of service on which I am now entering, terminates that of the distinguished citi- zen who, for four years past, has proved himself so eminently entitled to the confidence which has been reposed in him. Throughout the dark and trying scenes of this Rebellion, in no instance, to my knowledge, by any act of his, has he com- promised the dignity of the State, or proved wanting in firm- ness and patriotic devotion to his country. He goes back to a despoiled and ruined homestead. The accepted represen- tative of the State of Maryland, the vengeance of the public enemy has fallen with a heavy hand upon him. Will you not, in this moment of separation, in according to him the merited tribute of "well done, good and faithful servant," place him at least in the situation from which he was drawn in his retirement, to stand at the helm in the stormy conflict which has so triumphantly terminated, and through which he has conducted the old ship of State with such consum- mate skill? THOMAS SWANN. EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT, January 10th, 1866. |
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Proceedings and Acts of the General Assembly, 1866
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