The Daily Dispatch: October 1, 1862., [Electronic resource]

Maryland--her Sympathies and Ation.

Winchester. Sept. 23, 1862.
To the Editor of the Dispatch

Reluctant as I feel to appear as an spok I am nevertheless to correct a grave and dangerous misapprehension in regard to the public sentiment of my State, reaching from the passage of the Confederate army over its western bo er. As our Government through the proclamation of the Commander-in-Chief of the army addressed to the people of Maryland has formally announced its determination to afford them an opportunity of deciding their political destiny it is ally necessary that there should be no misunderstanding of prejudgment. If the present be lost, it may never again be recovered. It becomes a wise people and the statesmen who control their inter to avoid hasty In my letter to the Legislature of Virginia, last winter I gave the ma assurance th the people of Maryland should, by an overwhelming majority unite with their brethren of the South in establishing the independence of the Confederate States, if the chains were stricken from their limits end arms placed in their hands. The experience of every day since has only confirmed this opinion. I am therefore distressed and troubled by the manifestation of dissatisfaction at the supposed unfavorable reception of the army by our people. I think I shall be able to show that such a complaint is unfounded and unreasonable. It is well known in Richmond (outside, at least, of official circles,) that the advance of the army into Maryland took every one by surprise. All supposed that such an advance would be made, but none anticipated so early a realization of their hopes. As soon as notified of the fact. I left Richmond and pressed forward towards the army with all the speed which the most imperfect means of transportation could afford. On my arrival here, I ascertained that General Lee had left Frederick with the army on his march to Hagerstown. I had the pleasure of meeting him for a few hours only on my native soil. For wise reasons apparent to all, this able commander immediately afterwards recrossed his army to the south bank of the Potomac, after having spent but a few days in two of the extreme western counties of Maryland, during which he captured a large and splendidly equipped army at Harper's Ferry, and rained a brilliant victory over the main body of the enemy at Sharpsburg. I only participate in the universal hope and belief of the people that the of the commander and the unbroken spirit of his troops will soon fulfill the promise of his proclamation to the people of Maryland.

The people of Maryland had no notice of the Glance of the Southern troops. When General Lee was in Frederick he was forty-five miles from the city of Baltimore — a city surrounded by Federal bayonets, jealously guarded by an armed Federal police, and lying in the shadow of Fort McHenry and of two powered fortifications located within the limits of the corporation. The advance of the army reached Frederick on Saturday, and on the Wednesday following the army moved off towards Hagerstown and became engaged in the movement of Harper's Ferry and the battles of Boonesboro' and Sharpsburg, after which it immediately returned to Virginia, where it now is. Thus the fact simply is, that the army made a hasty passage through one of the remote counties of the State, namely; Frederick and Washington, which together with Carroll and Allegheny, are well known to contain nearly the whole of the Union or Black Republican population to be found in Maryland. And yet I will say that even in the two counties first above mention there will be a decided majority cast in favor of the South whenever reasonable time for organisation and a free ballot box shall be secured to the people. I was born and have lived the greater part of my life in Frederick county, and can speak advisedly on this subject.

Now sir, please look at the map of Maryland, consider well the circumstances above briefly alluded to, and say it was possible for Baltimore to respond to the proclamation of General Lee, or the eight counties of the Eastern Shore, directed from the western throughout their entire length by the Chesapeake Bay, or the counties of St. Mary's, Charles, Prince George's. Calvest. Anne Atundel, Howard, and Montgomery all within striking distance of Washington city, with McClellan's army advance to Poohville or Salti e or Harford counties, within the Federal lines, and beyond the reach of support. Consider that the people of Maryland never and arms or ammunition — that for fifteen months their houses have been searched, and their private arms taken from them — that they have not been permitted to hold meetings, public or private — that they have been completely isolated, and constantly subjected to the most religions, public or private — that no effort at conversation could possibly be made — that in this con of things our army suddenly appears in a portion of the State, and as quickly Sorely, sir, no reasonable man could expose an uprising of the people of Maryland under such circumstances. Shall we apply to Maryland a less lenient test of loyalty than to New Orleans or Norfolk or the many towns and district of the South which have fallen under Federal dominion? Shall we judge Frederick and Washington counties more severally that, we do the many dis ted counties of Virginia. Kentucky, Tennessee, and other States even further Souther; we condemn loyal state because it contains loyal ity? No just or prudent man will pay us. I think I have already said enough to VI my unfortunate State. There is, however, Another important view to be considered. It was impossible for the people of Maryland to know whether the entrance of the army was intended to be a mere told or a substantial occupation for their relief. Gen. Lee's proclamation was intended to assure them of the latter, but, before it could accomplish that object military necessities carried the army away. Even, therefore, had it been in the power of the people to rise, (end I have shown that it was not,) they certainly had aright to know, before doing so, whether they would be properly supported in the attempt, or left, unarmed and unorganized, to pay the penalty of an abortive effort. We all know that to make such an effort and fall, would be inevitably to bring down upon them the redoubled vengeance of their tyrants, to consign their leaders to dungeons, to devote their property to confiscation, and to subject their mothers, wives, and daughters, to the same brutal outrages which have marked the career of the Godless invader from the Peninsula of Virginia in to the banks of the Mississippi. Would Virginia or any other Southern State have entered upon this revolution without the belief that the whole power of the Confederate Government would be exerted to protect its citizens? And yet, Virginia and every other Southern State is quite willing to accept the haggards and calamities of war; so that, should it be required by military necessity, that a part or even the whole of any one State should be temporarily abandoned, in order to secure the triumph of the cause of all, no patriotic State would shrink from the sacrifice, however terrible. We find this illustrated in the revolution of 1776. I can entertain no doubt that Maryland would be as willing to submit to such an ordeal as any State South of the Potomac. All that she asks is, to be set free and admitted into the Southern Confederacy. She wants such an occupation of her soil by the Southern army, and for such a reasonable length of time as will enable her people to dissolve their connection with the Federal Government, obtain admission into the Southern Confederacy, and arm and organize her quota of the Confederate army. I cannot say, in advance of events, what length of time would be required for this purpose but, from my knowledge of the seal and determination of the people. I am sure that they will accomplish it within a very brief period. If they are effectually relieved from the pressure of Federal power. The proclamation of the Commending General has tendered that relief, and I confidently believe that he will yet afford it, with the blessing of Almighty God.

I hope that the press friendly to Maryland will publish this feeble but heart appeal for her down dden children, and that she may have the sympathy of all her Southern brethren.

Respectfully,
E. Louis. Lovis