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4 JOURNAL OF PROCEEDINGS [Jan. 10, In the remarks that I had the honor to submit in taking leave of you on the last day of that session, I took occasion to express the wish that before another meeting of the Gene- ral Assembly of our State, the dreadful civil war, then so tearfully raging, would have subsided, and our country become united and peaceful as of yore. These remarks had reference to the regular session that will assemble a year hence; and, although confident of the ultimate triumph of the cause of the great Republic—based as it was upon the foundation of justice and honor and human rights—I did not anticipate that the beginning of the present year would wit- ness so great a change in our national affairs as is now pre- sented to the view. For this consummation, so gratifying in all its aspects, the country is greatly indebted to the noble and heroic exertions of our patriotic President. I sincerely trust that ourselves, as well as the people we represent, will ever be ready to second the efforts of that great man in heal- ing the dissensions and subduing the animosities that recently exercised their baneful influence upon the welfare of the whole people. Feeling, in common with all my fellow-citi- zens, great relief at seeing our country at peace and our people once more with the prospect of happiness and pros- perity before them, I have ventured in this presence and on this occasion, to give expression to a sentiment of gratitude caused by our escape from the dangers and perils that once environed us. Pardon me, gentlemen, if, in the annunciation of this feeling, I have transcended the limits that properly circumscribe the position I have now the honor to occupy. But I must turn from a contemplation of the pleasant and happy change that the past few months have brought about, to the stern duties and responsibilities that attach to us as representatives of the sovereign people of Maryland at this, particular juncture. Our able and public-spirited Governor will soon make known to us, through the proper channel, his views of that condition of the State and the wants of her people that have induced him to call us together. But, _ in addition to the present demands for additional legislation respecting the financial condition of the State, and other matters of pressing and immediate importance, we are ex- pected to give that impress to general legislation that will facilitate the progressive and utilitarian spirit of the age, and thereby give to our people, as far as it is in our power, all the advantages they have a right to anticipate as citizens of a State teeming with many of the best resources of earth. Let us endeavor to improve upon that past that has left its bloody foot-prints upon the soil of our country. That professional poli- ticians have been the bane of our State and Country is but too apparent, even to the casual observer. The great want |
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Proceedings and Acts of the General Assembly, 1866
| Volume 107, Page 578 View pdf image (33K) |
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