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not hesitate to seek or receive assistance from other leaders, in
other States, to control elections in their own. Civil war, and not
a popular election, will then determine the fate of our community;
and the language of the great address I have so often quoted, best
describes the end. "The alternate domination of one faction
over another, sharpened by the spirit of revenge, natural to party
dissension, which in different ages and countries has perpetrated
the most horrid enormities, is itself a frightful despotism. But
this leads at length to a more formal and permanent despotism.
The disorders and miseries which result, gradually incline the
minds of men to seek security and repose in the absolute power
of an individual; and sooner or later, the chief of some prevail-
ing faction, more able or more fortunate than his competitors,
turns this disposition to the purposes of his own elevation, on the
ruins of the public liberty."

From these things which have discredited us abroad and morti-
fied us at home, it is pleasanter to turn to other topics, in which,
as Marylanders, we have no less interest; and in which we may
find some cause for congratulation.

The great agricultural interest, by which we all have bread,
has been prosperous during the past year; and although we may
have to regret the paralyzation of commercial and industrial pur-
suits, it is some consolation to remember that our State has not
suffered so much as others by the prostration of credit and des-
truction of mercantile confidence. If this show a less extent of
those interests with us, it is also a proof that those limited opera-
tions are not carried on upon so artificial a basis as in more active
quarters. If we cannot boast of so extended a commerce as others,
we at least, are more free from the reverses of wild speculation
and mercantile gambling. It becomes us however, to take a
lesson from our misfortunes, and while we extend the relief which
may fairly be asked, it will be proper to enquire into the expedi-
ency of some checks upon improper expansion of our currency,
and its inevitable consequence, undue rise in prices, and too ex-
tended credit.

The great mass of the community, who live by their daily toil,
have a right to some such protection. It is upon them and the
hard earned gains of our mechanics and small traders, that the
deplorable consequences of such revulsions fall with heavier hand,
than can visit the accumulations of the more fortunate. The re-
currence of these convulsions show the mutual reliance of capital
and labor; and the legislation which guards the one must benefit
the other also. It is matter of concern to find an occasion of
this kind which should only call forth acts of forbearance and
charity, taken advantage of, in some parts of our country, to ac-
complish a political success at the expense of a war of classes.

The increase of crime and lawlessness is, in my opinion, not
more attributable to the want of proper laws to punish crime,