The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1851-02-25
Free Negroes in Maryland.
From the Baltimore CIippsr.

u i.
On the 9Th of this month q very interesting de-
bate took place IN the Reform Convention Of Ma
ryland the subject Of the free culored population
OF the State In this discussion II vas admitted we
believe, by every speaker, that the time was APP
preaching when It would become absolutely neces-
sary enact laws for the repusion of that class Of
people from the State. The debate arose on amends
mcnts proposed to the following article of the Bill
of Rights:
Art 81. That no freeman ought to be taken or
Imprisoned. disseized of his freehold, liberties,
or privileges, or outawed, or exilcd, or in any
manner destroyed, or deprived of his life, liberty,
or property but by the Judgment OF his peers or BY
the laws of the land.
Mr.. Brent, of Baltimore city, moved to strike out
the word fireman. and insert the word 'tciti-
zen," on the ground that "a contingency might
arise in which it might be necessary to Danish q
certain portion of our population"-frcs ne
groes.
Mr. Gwin, of Baltimore city, suggested that the
Legislature possessed the power to reach this class
Of citizens. In the Of his remarks he said,
''the period 10 now at hand when just regard for
the intercssa Of our white population will compel
w to remove class who compete with them in
many Of the walks Of labor and yet have share
or interest in our government This right TO re.
move them IL power in the State to preserve ITSELF
and il novelty in doctrine"
Mr.. Mcrrick moved the following amendment,
which was accepted by Mr.. Brent:
"Prorided, That nothing in this article shall BIO
passing all such law: for the government, regola-
lion, and disposition of the free colored population
in this State as they may see 6t.'
Mr.. McLanc wished the amendment 80 modified
not to place these people out Of the pale OF the
lawi but thought they sought to be removed ~
soon as il can DO done with propriety, and that We
are not bound to wait until the danger becomes
more imminent" ~
Mr.. Merrick thought the removal of the free
colored people "must come az certainly as there
was God in Heaven. The black race could not
remain here. They were multiplying too fast.
The two races could not amAlgAmate; it was horri-
bic to the soul and spirit of the white to
talk of amalgamation. Tho black race, therefore,
must either go to their own original home, or re-
main here slaves"
After some further discussion, the amendment
| as modified, was adopted. 'a
The presence of seventy thousand free persons
Of color in Maryland 10 felt a. a grievance, and
likely, ii not checked, to prove dangerous to the
peace Of the State, particularly whit the efforts OF
the Abolitonists are continued to excite disatIcc
| ton. Self preservation will impose upon the
legislative authority of the State the duty of re-
moving this growing evil; and we therefore agree
| with MIR. Merrick that the timo must come when
the removal of this class of people from the State
will take place. II may come much sooner than is
| now anticipated, in consequence OF the proceed
ings of the Abotioniss at the North; for the coun-
tenancc there given to the open defiance Of laws by
the free negroes will mako the people OF Maryland,
and Of the slave States generally, more solicitous
for the removal from amongst them OF those who
can be operated upon By the fanatcal spirit which
has encouraged outrage in a northern city We
have repeatedly warned the Abolitonists that they
would produce the expulsion Of the free people Of
color from tho slave States; and il 10 seen thai
the first step towards efiecng that object has been
taken by the convention Of Maryland. What was
before only considered AZ probable may now be
got down az certain. That class Of people will b
removed from our State, and at no distant day--bu
| with much humanity circumstances viii ad-
NIT. But whero are they to go? Those who pre-
fer to become membersof the African colonies will
no doubt, have the opportunity; especially if tho
line of steamers should BE- established 10 that coun
| try Those who will not become cmigrants, vii
have to betake Themselves to the free Statesj ant
| thus the poisoned chalice," prepared by the Abo
tionsts for the slave States, viii be returned e
their own lips.''
Seeing that their removal from the State Ia incvi
table, and that it may take place when they may
be in an unprepared state, many of the free peo
pie Of color of Maryland will no doubt voluntarily
remove without awaiting tho approaching crisis.
| wo have given the above mcagre sketch Of what
was said in the convention with the sole view oil
showing the unanimity which prevailed among
members on the important point under discussion
| RELleious LiBHRTy IN SPAIs.-H CiamoT the
progrcssita paper published in Madrid. has lately
been arguing in favor Of perfect freedom OF reii-
gious worship, urging, among others, the following