Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1850-12-14
MARYLAND-THE COMPROMISE ACTs-THE
sa ."#. CONSTITUTION.
FROM THE BALTIMORE AaEHIcAS.

y
nous vote, the following preamble and resolutions,
reported to that body by the special committee ap
pointed on the subject. The Convention, it will
be recolected, is composed in nearly equal degree
OF both political parties
Whereas the Constitution Of the United States was de-
signed mere efecuay the civil and political rights
OF the citizens of every part Of the Unon and especially
protect their persons and property, well in the other States
as in the State in which they might reside; and whereas
amongst the rights of property there generally
known, or more distinctly recognised than that Of holding
slaves and whereas the peculiar risk of loss to which this
species OF property exposed obvious, and the alb
solue necessity OF suitable provision guard against
universally felt, that hesitaed acknowledge that
without such provision the Union could not have been form
and whereas certain persons in various por ions of the
Unon nstigated by spirit OF anatcism have combined for
the purpose openly resisting and deng the guarantees of
the constitution and laws by which alone the saveholdng
States can be assured Of the ghu possession and just pro-
lection OF their property the members of the Convention
OF Maryland lately elected from the body of the people, and
intimately acquainted with their feelings and opinions, deem
proper to declare, in calm and deliberate TERMS what
believe to be their views in relation the exciting subjects
which we have referred
lst Therefore, Resolued, That the Constitution Of the
United States has accomplished all the obecscvi and po-
nucal-Wnlcn most sanguine trainers friends anucl-
paed and that the affections OF the peope Of Maryland
Justly rveed to its principles by the memory of the sacrifices
Of the wise and good who formed it well by the
blessings it has so literally dispensed to country.
I'd. That proper appreciation of these blessings should
lead every Stale in the Union to adopt all such
from time to time may be necessary give complete and full
effect TO any provision Of the constitution of the laws pur
suant thereto intended for the protection Of any portion of this
great family Of States.
3d. That while do not conceal that the several acts of
IN
of California, TO the Territorial Governments of Utah and
New Mexico to the adjustment Of the boundary of Texas
the prohibition of the slave trade in the District of Columbia
and to the reclamation of fugives from labor do not the
extent desired meet the just demands Of the South
heess viewing these several parts Of entire sys
tenn, be adhered to and maintained whole, proceeding
the basis Of compromise, and intended by permanent ad
uslmen Of many critical questions heal the public ag
aton and perpetuate the Unon they have received
quescence, and have inspired with admiration of those
eminent statesmen who, rising above the influence of party
and sectional considerations peed their we'll earned repua
tons for the enduring welfare Of their country.
4th. That the vigorous and faithful execution by the Cen
era Government Of all laws made pursuance of the consii
tuition, its primary duty, and affords the only security for
the just protection Of the rights and property Of the citizen
and for the permaHency of the Union and it equally the
duty Of all good citizens to encourage and support the officers
Of the Government in the execution Of the laws and TO dis
and rebuke the efforts of those who seek SUBJ
vert Them And while, therefore, entertain every proper
confidence in the ability and determination Of the Chief Ma
gistrae of the Union faithfully perform his duty the pre-
sent crisis and take the opportunity tender to him
that any emergency that should require it, he may
safely rely upon the cordial cooperation Of the people Of Ma
yland cannot withhold the wamest expression Of
firm and continued reliance upon the patriotism Of those Of
counymen, in all sections CT The Union, who have fear
essy asserted the constitutional rights Of the Souh and in
view of the caamties which if those rights
tnue to be violated would earnestly suggest to the Gov
Of the savehodng States the popey and the
Importance of enacng such laws will facilitate the recov-
State would anxousy urge the absolute necessity Of main
tanning and enforcing each and all Of the Of adjust
ment adopted at the last session of Congress.
5th That of the aforesaid series flaws that intended to
ensure the restoration Of ugtves from labor the only one
protesting to protect the peculiar rights and institutions Of the
Southern States from the mischievous hostility Of wicked
fanacsm in other portions of the Union is but tardy and
meage measure of compliance with the clear, explicit and
imperative nuncons of the constitution, and holds out the
only hope that the protection which the South authorized
to expect from the Union of the States this species Of pro-
pery will be afforded Them and being the chief induce
ment to the South for its accession the compromise the
peal Of that law the failure to enforce its provisions, could
only be regarded evidence Of determined purpose in other
States to violate the sacred charter Of rights want Of
ability in the General Government to enforce inc laws made
for protection and in either event. there would be fail
ure to comply with the solemn obligations which give to the
constitution its chief value and binding force and which could
not be violated deliberately evaded without leading to
dissolution of the Union. .
body not merely the sentiments of the members of
the Convention, but of the people of Maryland who,
if they were submitted TO the popular voice. would
approve them by vote not less decisive than that
by which they passed the Convention.
i" The spirit of the resolutions must commend
them to every true lover of the Union. They
threaten nothing. They censure no one. They
but express the settled conviction Of the PEOPLE of
MARYLAND, and warn, in the fraternal voice Of
citizens of a common country, the People of the
consequences which must follow the success Of
efforts, which are made or threatened to violate
the laws of Congress- and especially the Fugitive
Slave Law. As member of the Confederacy
which achieved the independence of the country,
and established the onsttution by which the Union
of the States was formed, Maryland may rightly
claim that her deliberate and unanimous voice, as
expressed by the Convention Of Delegates elected
by the popular suffrage of her people, should be
respected. As border Slate, where the peculiar
rights of property exist which the law was intended
to guard and to which the Constitution guarantees
protection, her declaration on the subject, and at
this time particularly, will not fail attract the
attention of the people of the States where the
and arouse them to a sense of the importance Of
their seeing that it is faithfully executed"
1t will be recoected that Mr.. B. r. HARDIN, of Ben
HARDIN, of Kentucky, disappeared rather suddenly from
Panams shortly after he had received there the revocation Of
his appointment of Secretary of Legation to Chill. The
Panama Star says:
'On Friday last party of gentlemen ascending