Port Tobacco times, and Charles County advertiser. (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1845-1898, 1846-02-19

of those who, from interest or ignorance of
the circumstances, are unsparlng IN their
denunciations, must hereafter, and when
their efforts are CROWNED, as they will be-,
with success. secure for them the praise
which their exertions so richly merit. It's
at this moment, and when, from the expe-
rience of the past year, there is every rea-
son to hope and believe that the fair fame
of the State is about to emerge from the
cloud that has obscured it, that this distract
ing subject of thorough reorganization of
the government IS thrust upon the public
attention. The undersigned cannot but think
that the fierce struggles for ascendency,
which will unavoidably convulse the State,
if a convention is assembled to parcel out
and distribute again its political power, will
necessarily have most disastrous influence
upon the noble sacrifices now being made
to meet our pecuniary engagements. They
cannot conceal from themselves, and they
would be deficient in the duty they owe
their constituents who placed them in their
position of responsibility, if they did not
declare their belief to be, that the design of
much the largest number of those who are
pressing this subject of convention, is to
change the basis Of representation from the
present mixed basis of population and ter
ritory to one founded exclusively on num-
bers. n t..
That the purpose of the reformers, by
IF convention &c 10 bava roproooo
tation according to population, the under
signed think sufficiently apparent to justify
them in sounding the alarm. Such an alte-
ration in the Constitution would break
down all its guarantees, and place the
weaker sections of the State entirely at the
mercy of the stronger.
Assuming this to be the case-and there
can be no doubt that such would be the
general impression-whoc can estimate how
violently the public mind would be agitated,
or the depth of the resentments which such
a contest would engender? Can there be a
doubt then, that, in the whirlwind Of the po-
litical warfare, when mems passions would
become inhamed, and section arrayed against
section, that the efforts now making to res
cue the State from disgrace would be utter
ly paralized? The undersi gned are full OF
apprehension that the commotion and strife.
the discussions and heart burning, the con-
viction of the violation of plighted engage
ments and solemn compact, which a move
ment of this sort would kindle in the pub
lie mind, would render powerless and inef-
fectual the labors of the patriotic and the
good, who are endeavoring to Wi pc out the
ignominy which infdelity to our pecuniary
engagements, permanently continued, must
entail upon us.
They think that it is the part of wisdom
as we'll as of virtue to calm down the pub
lie passions, and direct the undivided ener-
gies of the people to the payment of their
honest debts. IL there are vices in our po-
litical institutions which require correction,
they have been borne too long and too pa
tiently TO induce the belief that they are of
that aggravated and intolerable character to
demand correction now, at the hazard Of
consequences SO fearlully portentious. Sure
ly these evils, real or imaginary, are not So
pressing and urgent that the reviving honor
of the commonwealth shall be inundated
TO redress them. When the State shall be
placed on the platform of her ancient honor,
and justice done to her suffering creditors,
then, if needs be, the situation of our do
mestic concerns may be examined, and the
proper remedy applied where grievances
are found to exist. But until this is done,
until Maryland can stand up amidst the
Confederated States Of the Union, and, with
out blot or blur upon her escutcheon, can
proudly proclaim that all her pecuniary en-
gagements have been fulfilled, surely it were
unwise to cast the torch Of discord among
her people. To this noble purpose, SO es-
sential to the lasting welfare and honor Of
the commonwealth, let her undivided ener-
gies be directed with unfaltering resolution.
Let this great object be kept constantly in
view, as the goal which must be attained
before we shall attempt the accomplishment
of any other good, however desirable it
may appear. Let no "retiring ebb'' drive
us back from the consummation of all effort
upon the success of which everything that
is worth cherishing in life depends, and in
which failure is unutterable degradation. ".
Let us keep " due on'' in the fixed and
Interchangeable determination to succeed, and
success is certain. If however, unhappily,
other counsels shall prevail, and questions
so exciting as the redistribution of politi-
cal power among the different portions of
the State are thrown among US, the fatal
consequences which we think would ensue
from the exasperated feelings that would
too surely be kindled, must rest upon the
heads of those by whom the frebrand is
welded. .-.. s...,
The undersigned and the public cannot