Port Tobacco times, and Charles County advertiser. (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1845-1898, 1850-11-27

1leS0tCeU, ! nat When lnlS Convention
adjourn, it adjourn sine die''
ADDRESS OF HON. J. G. CHAPMAN.
Having been selected to preside over the
deliberations Of the Convention, Mr.. Chap
man, on taking the Chair, delivered the fol-
lowing address:
Gentlemen Of The Convention:
am deeply sensible of the honor you
have conferred upon me, in calling me to
this station. To preside over the delibera-
tions Of any branch Of the government of
Maryland, is, at all times, and under the
most ordinary circumstances, distinction
which men higher in the scale Of public es-
,ima.ion than myself, might not regard with
indifference. But that distinction is infinite
ly enhanced by the momen.us character of
the objects for which this Convention has
assembled, and by the talent, learning and
ability which e-eminenlly mark the ele-
men,s that compose it. ] have not sought
this position-i bad no right to expec, it
nor did any aspirations of my own lead me
TO desire it.
Lam not unconscious, gentlemen, Of the
grave responsibilities which this Chair inn
poses upon me. But, cannot be mistaken
in saying, ,hs, approach the discharge Of
its duties with mind strong in The honesty
Of lis own purpose, and resolu,ely bent on
exercising the authority which you have
placed in my hands, with a single eye to
The in,eres, and welfare, and the honor of
the State. AS your presiding officer, ac-
knowledge no obligation but my duly-l
know no party but our country. Pledging
my bes, efforts 10 administer faithfully, and
in spirit OF stern impsriialiiy. the rules
which you may adopt for the government
Of this body, ] invoke your ndulgen. for
besrance towards those defects of judgmen.
from which cannot hope 10 escape, and
your earnest corporation in executing
those laws, as to meet the just expectations
of the people whom we represent. Their
eyes are upon us. They look to our pro-
ceedings with an interest not less deep than
universal.
Gentlemen, we have met together for no
common purpose. There is notrwithin the
whole range Of human obligations, high
er, more impressive, more solemn duty
than now rests upon us. We are here to
revise the fundamental law Of the S.a,e-to
break up the deep foundations Of that fabric
under whose canopy we have so long lived
and prospered-and 10 frame for ourselves
and for our children, government to en-
dure perhaps for ages TO come. Veners,ing,
as have ever done, the characters Of those
wise and patriotic men, who, in l776, form
ed the first Republican Constitution Of tho
State, have Witnessed with distrust,
which never desired to conceal, the efforts
that have been made to change its provi-
sions. have been one among the number
of those who would have been content still
to trust our des,inies to the tutelar protec-
ton Of an organic law, whose practical be-
nefcence has found Thousand monumen-
lal vouchers in the onward progress Of tho
State, rather than seek for doubtful good,
or continen. blessings, in any change of the
system. ] am free to declare, that time and
reflection have not diminished the spprehcn-
sions with which have contemplated that
change.
But, gentlemen, let us reason together, and
see how these things are. We are sent here
for that purpose. The haze which obscures
Inc OrIgnteSt VtSIOOS-tn6 limit Wnlcn
bounds the foresight Of the most sagacious
minds-ihe fixed and irreversibe decree
which stamps the impress Of fallibiity on
the wisest human counsels-all these con-
siderauons admonish us not TO look for per-
fec,ion in anything Of the work of mere hu-
man hands. But we can bring to the ac-
complishment of our task the sustaining in
fuences ofpure hearts and patriotic resolye,,
whose beacon-ligh,s will guide us in the
path Of our duty, and lead us at last 10 safe
and honorable results. This, at least, le,
us do. Our constituents expect 1.-THE
Slate demands it-our own honor exacts il.
Gentlemen Of the Convention, let us not
dissppoint these high expectations. All tha.
is sacred in the pasl-alI that is hopeful in
the future-blends itself with our delibera-
tions, and calls upon US for disin,erested
and selfsacri6cing action. May He "whose
eyes are in every place, beholding The evil
and the good" so guide our counsels, that
they may promote the prosperity, the hap
pinese, and the glory Of our common coun-
try.