Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1845-09-27

held or hoped soon to have the State without it
Why did they hold in their reforming energies dur
ing the late Presidential election! Why, but be-
cause they thought the State doubtful, and that
new and untried question might render the result
more uncertain Now, however they have mo-
thing to lose. In the minority they have naught 70
fear from anarchy. Ihaf, they dread only when
in the majority. Then, they abhor all innovation,
and become resolute conservatives
For year upon year, while Jacksonism ruled the
State, there neither too many officers, nor too
frequent meetings of the Legislature. BGaks they
made or managed upon the exquisite model others
of /" Mud-fog," SO admirably described by writer
of their own State and, as for Constitutions,
what do they matter to them! When they admin
lister them, do they not make them what they
please And when did Constitutions ever stand
in their way, except under Wing rule!
In MARYLAND, by their old fundamental law of
ITS, any defect of the Constitution can be cor
rected almost as soon it is felt: for concurring
vote of two successive yearly Legislatures alters
the Constitution. There, then, Convention is
never needed; for two successive Legislatures
for Convention. If the first adopts change, the
act is published to the people; and they then pass
upon it, by electing the nert Legislature with
view to that especial question. If they send ma
jority for it, the change is confirmed and becomes
part Of the Constitution. If they do not the pre-
Iceding act becomes void. Thus two great goods
are obtained by the Maryland plan, since adopted
in other States: to change takes fwo years, two
separate bodies, and no Convention and as the
Constitution is all the while subject by parts to
vision, it is never necessary to pull it all down,
good and bad together, to repairit.
Now, observe the conduct of this pernicous
party. When in power, they wanted no Conven-
ton: they proposed not even to change the Con-
stitution by the mlder, quieter, more legal means
of the Legislature. They offered not to change it
in part Of course still less to revolutionze many
main parts of it at one blow. They did not ask
for that which was quietly and deliberately to be
done in two years; still less Of course, for that
which was to hurry things through in one. They
did not call for what the Constitution was ready to
give them. Now they are hot for what it does not
authorize, what il has made totally unnecessary.
They can even now easily effect By la,o any thing
of change which the majority Of their feow-citi-
zens think safe needful yet they prefer to act
soithom lac, suddenly, every thing at once, and
with all the added violence Of party agitation: in
a word, they seek subversion and anarchy, not
wise and honest change.
Why not wait two years Surely changes OF
the Constitution, especially wide ones, not best
done when done most quickly. But no two years
will be too late for their political ga,ne-too late
TO get them back into immediate poorer and Office
too late to give them the State for the nerf Presi-
Dental struggle.
Good people of the old colony of Maryland /!
Let yourselves not be entrapped by these bad citi
zens into either supineness or agitation Much
need have you to bestir yourselves to the affairs
Of the General Government: they are in danger
especially that great national interest," the Tariff
As to your domestic changes, those men want no
good ones who want to hurry you too fast for de-
liberation, and too far for law. Take your time,
and do your business WE'LL And that you may do
all this calmly yet wisely, turn out, every man
Let the word be passed round to every good citi-
zen, and hold him none who disregards it Meet
these wicked and selfish contrivers, who lull the
good and stir up the bad, at the polls Meet them
and their dupes Foil both Defend and save your
State, the Tariff, and whatever else you can!