American Republican and Baltimore daily clipper. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1844-1846, 1845-05-07
WEDNESDAY MORNING, MAY :, 1915.

"REPEAL AND REroRM." An article bear
ing this signature appears in another column
Of to-dey's paper, to which we respectfully call
attention. The writer proposes that Ward
meetings be held on Saturday evening neAt to
appoint delegates TO Convention, to take into
consideration such measures as may be deemed
expedcnt, to procure repeal of the Stamp
Act and such reform as may distribute Justice
equally to all sections Of the State. We have
uniformly opposed all suggestions to nullify the
Stamp Act, believing that the example would
be most pernicious, and under the conviction
that duty required obedience TO the law even if
found partial and oppressive, until it should be
legally decided to be unconstitutional. But
the right Of tho people to assemble and set
forth their grievances, and TO insist upon hav
cannot be dcned-thcre can, therefore, be no
objection to hold ng the proposed ward meet
ings, and the formation ola convention to take
the matter complained of into consideration
We entirely approve the suggestion OF our cor
respondent, that the proposed convention shall
bo composed Of men of all paties and of vari-
Gus professions Let all interests be properly
represented, and the proceedings of the con-
yention will have greater influence than if con-
inel to those alone who are more Immediately
affected by the Stamp Act, or other laws
which may be considered Objectionable.
We do not believe that the Legislature passed
the Stamp Act from choice. The necessity for
raising funds was known and acknowledged
and TO devise modes Of accomplishing the
object, was task of great difficulty. The
landed interest of the State would not permit
an additional cent Of direct taxation, and the
committee of ways and means were driven to
the adoption of various measures to raise reve-
nue., and amongst the rest the Stamp Act
We shall not imputc to the committee the de-
sign to Cypress the citizens Of Baltimore by the
Stamp Act, Tor we do not entertain such all
opinion but it is believed by many of our cti-
Iens, that such will be the effect, and that it will
tend to drive trade from the city. This would
be a lamentable consequences; and we feel as
sured, that if the fact be exhibited to the next
legislature the act will be promptly repealed
1t will be the duty of the proposed convention
10 present this and other subjects fairly and full
ly to the legislature and to the public, and to
appeal to their sense of justice for redress of
grievances.
1t probable that, besides asking for repeal
Of certain laws, the convention will consider it
necessary to present for public consideration,
propositions for retrenchment and reform-re-
qnirng that the government shall be admins
tered with the most scrupulous economy, and
that there shall be more equitable protection
of all interests in the State. To obtain tho
rough reform il is evident, that members ofthe
legislature must be chosen with that express
view, and independent of old party distinctions.
Indeed, we think, that nothing but the grossest
folly IAN perpctuate existing party divisions
The State has been sufficiently harrassed by
party conflicts, and its present condition de-
nands, that there should be unanimity in the
effort eXtricate it from difficulty. We hope,
then, that the proposition of our correspond
ent, to amalgamate parties in the proposed con-
yention will be acceded to, and that the exam
pie will he initiated throughout the State.