American Republican and Baltimore daily clipper. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1844-1846, 1845-09-15

passed away. The power of the Legislature
TO call such a Convention no man of intcl-
gence may question. 1t may surely adopt any
mode for ascertaining public opinion rs guide
| t0r its tit'ire action, which may insure its full
and true expression. And especially may it
do 50 when question Of such grave import,
as one involving an alteration in the tuhda-
mental law is involved. We put this question
as a test question upon this subiect-will any
man deny the OBLIGATION of the LEGIsl AZURE
to make such changes in the Constitution Of
the State as may be indicated by the clearly
IMPRESSED WILL OF THE PEOPLE! If it be
then, as we assume, their manifest obligation
to do so, is it not their duty to submit to the
award Of the ballot-boX, upon the invitation OF
the people tor that purpose-the question,
| WHAT is THE PUBLIC WILL!
The people are familiar with the exercise of
such power, when it is desired TO ascertain
the sense of any particular district, county or
city, i'll regard to any matter of local interest.
Let one impressive instance Of It's exercise suffice.
The law, commonly called the "Regstry
Law" passed at December session, 1887, by its
last section, expressly refers it to the majority
OF the legal voter of the city of Baltimore to de-
eide whether that law should 90 into full force,
or whether it should be annulled.
The members of the recent Convention ap-
pointed committee to memorializc the Gene
raj Assembly at its approaching session, and we
invite you to such preliminary action as may
insure the favorable consideration of the sub
ject. Should our just hopes be disappointed,
and the confidence of the people in their minis
tcrs be betrayed, the season will then hare come
for such other action as may be best calculated
to obtain the object i'll view. And it will be-
come the duty Of the people to exercise their
inherent rights with firmness, yet with calm
ness, with patriotism, and IN the spirit OF COM
promise and concord-the american spirit.
Wedcsire that public faith should be unsullied
that private rights should be protected, and
that every Marylander should proudly stand, as
4 man and a citizen, before the honest world
and say: MY JUSTICE and my HONOR arc with
out STAN" Who will not glory TO enjoy the
moment Of such declaration!
Let it not be said, that we propose, in part
to attain this end OF public faith and public
credit by violating the public contracts with Of
ticors who are engaged in the public service
They assumed their offices subject to the con-
trolling power Of change in tie people, for
whose benefit their time and tIlUul5 are sap
posed to be employed. II was Il plain condt-
ton OF their contract, and the people may sure
ly claim the iuliment Of its performance at
their will and pleasure. II their compensation
be beyond the value Of their service; if the pub
lie work Gun be performed upon an equitable
compensation to be awarded for it, the accu-
, mutation of immense private fortunes may be
stopped, but Justice will yet be done to the Of
ficers. This is the full measure of their claim
and all beyond it is extravaganza, inconsistent
with republican simplicity and virtue.
There Is once objection, which the opponents
of Reform make SO prominent in their argu-
ments, that we notice it rather to exhibit the
essential in6rmity ofther cause, than TO admit
that it is entitled to consideration. We mean
their tavorite argument which they press with
so much zeal, not to say violence, as to induce
the belief that they consider it rather private
than public controversy, and by which they
impute to the Reformers selfish and mercenary
motives Now, in all plainness, we would say,
in reply to this argument that the Reformcrs
must constitute most peculiar class of men, If
they seek to crafty their selfish or mercenary
views by reduction of the number of offices,
and diminuiOn of their compensation! It ls
not by such paths that TIE money-loviug or
poWer-seeker aspirants are accustomed to reach
their goal
But the argument must recol upon them
selves How much of sincere and deliberate
opposition would there be to this great move
ment towards Reform and Retrenchment, but
for the incessant efforts Of the ofiice-holdors,
and their dependents? Indeed, the only dis
cordant sounds which break upon the general
public voice of appreciation, come from official
/ incumbents, and those who, in the joyful hope
of their succession, find comfort i'll things as
they are, and bide their time
Fellow citizens: We have deemed the fore
going observations appropriate to the advisory
al,r e
fully disclose to your view the feelings, the mo-
| tives, and opinions, of the Convention which
we have the honor to represent But the I'M
portant portion of our duty has yet to be dis
charged. 1t is not enough to know the nature
and extent Of the disease: we must advance
further, and point you to the remedy. There
is no occasion for reserve-our interests and
our sympathies are so blended together, that
we speak with confidence, what we know you
Will receive with kindness, if not approval. In
the temper then of sincere respect, and with
this claim upon your thoughtful examination OF
the topics we present, we advise, that in your
new Constitution your first thought should be
to guard against the creation of public debt
Rejecting, as we do from sad experience, the
theory winch announces that ga public debt is
public blessing;" we would desire that the or
ganic law should so curb the wild and reckless
power of Legislation, that no public debt
should be created, except on notice of the OBJ
jects to which it is TO be appropriated, and APP
on pledge Of specific revenues for its punctual
payment. This is not policy merely, it is no.
NEsrY. Without such prohibitions, the pro-
perty of every individual is uncertain in value
and enjoyment: and the darkest clouds of dis
trust cast upon it a constant shadow. Let us
wisely employ the future in enforcing the so-
lutary lessons Of the past; and invgorate public
faith by looping off these excfescences of
power.
We further advise that constitutional check
be imposed on all Retrospective legislation.-
The principle of special legislation is unsound:
its results generally injurious. The raLue Of all
rights consists in their certainty; and it is by the
IL &c ill,I IL,