EESOLUTIONS. 111

people of the Confederated States, is unconstitutional in its origin,
purposes and conduct, repugnant to civilization and sound policy;

subversive of the free principles upon which the Federal Union was
founded, and certain to result in the hopeless and bloody overthrow
of our existing institutions : and

WHEREAS, The people of Maryland, while recognizing the obligations
of their State, as a member of the Union, to submit in good faith to
the exercise of all the legal and constitutional powers of the General
Government, and to join as one man in fighting its authorized battles,
do reverence nevertheless, the grf at American principle of self-gov-
ernment and sympathize deeply with their Southern brethren in their
noble and manly determination to uphold and defend the same ; and

WHEREAS, Not merely on their own account, to turn away from their
own soil the calamities of civil war, but for the blessed sake of
humanity, and to arrest the wanton shedding of fraternal blood, in a
miserable contest which can bring nothing with it but sorrow, shame
and desolation, the people of Maryland are enlisted with their whole
hearts, upon the side of reconciliation and peace.

Now therefore, it is hereby resolved by the General Assembly of
Maryland, That the State of Maryland, owes it to her own self-respect
and her respect for the Constitution, not less than to her deepest and
most honorable sympathies, to register this, her solemn protest, against
the war which the Federal Government has declared upon the Confede-
rate States of the South, and our sister and neighbor Virginia, to an-
nounce her resolute determination to have no part or lot, directly or in-
directly, in its prosecution.

Resolved, That the State of Maryland, earnestly and anxiously de-
sires the restoration of peace between the beligerent sections of the
country, and the President, authorities and people of the Confederate
States, having over and over officially and unofficially, declared that
they seek only peace and self-defence and to be let alone, and that they
are willing to throw down the sword the instant that the sword now
drawn against them shall be sheathed. The Senators and Delegates of
Maryland do fervently beseech and implore the President of the United
States, to accept the olive branch which is thus held out to him, and
in the name of God and of humanity, to cease this unholy and most
wretched and unprofitable strife, at least until the assembling of the
Congress at Washington shall have given time for the prevalence of
cooler and better counsels.

Resolved, That the State of Maryland desires the peaceful and im-
mediate recognition of the independence of the Confederate States, and
hereby gives her cordial consent thereunto, as a member of the Union,
entertaining the profound conviction that the willing return of the
Southern people to their former federal relations, is a thing beyond
hope, and that the attempt to coerce them will only add slaughter and
hate to impossibility.

Resolved, That the present military occupation of Maryland, being
for purposes which, in the opinion of this Legislature, are in flagrant