Eastern times. [volume] (Bath, Me.) 1846-1857, 1851-06-05
The Maryland Constitution.

Ihe Baltimore papers publish The ne ~ Con.
sttution entire. We make an ab,trnc, or -,
provisions: The Governor is 10 be elee,eJ
every four years. and TO receive a salary Of
$500. The Senate is to be composed Of
twenty two members, who nre TO be elected
for four years one half going out every two
years. The House of Delegates will contain
seventy-four members, to be chosen ben.
nialIy. The basis of representation will be
according TO population for the counties, and
Baltimore city will he entitled TO four more
delegates than the largest county. No county
is to have less than Two members. The ju.
dietary are to be elected by The people, and
the majority Of them hold office for ten years.
The States Attorneys for the city Of Balti.
more and the different counties, and the Reg.
isters of Wills, are TO be elected by the popu.
lar voice. The people also choose a Comp
Iroller, Board of Public Works, Lottery Com.
mlssioners, and in fact nearly every local aud
Siate officer, with few exceptions. I'M
pTlsoment for debt is abolished,an a certnin
amount OF property is exempted for execu.
ton. The lottery system is abolished. Any
party engaged in duel, as principal or sec.
onds, is disqualified from holding othce and
| the same penalty attaches itself TO and one
convicted OF using bribery TO influence voters.
Any person condemned for larceny, or other
infamous crime, is DISTINGUISHED. No cler.
gytnan is eligible to II seat in the Legislature.
| The LATE SILAs WRIGHT ON THE Fuor.
TIVE SLAVE QUE.TIoN.-It has no doubt
occurred TO manv who had the highest orn~
ion of Silas Wright (and they were as many
as could he numbered in favor of any one in
the age, in which he lved,) that it would be
exceedingly interesting and Instructive to
know what he would have said upon this
subject bad he lived TO this day. Fortunately
| however, he has left speech made in 1888,
in which he takes up and considers the
Fugitive Sllve clause in the Constitulion.-
He says this clause is applicable to Fugi-
tive slave and 10 the apprentice and servant
also ia the free States. He e1posulaies
with those who would disregard this pro-
vision of the Constitution in the most earnest
manner. Ii is necessary in order TO maintain
the friendly relation between the States
| We should respect the rights and interests
| Of the savehoIdng States. We cannot
without the observance OF this covenant, car-
ry into effect those other provisions of the
| Constitution which recognize the institution
OF slavery, and exercise the powers of govern
ment in good faith. He refers TO the
character of the men who composed the con-
vention o: 1887, and calls for the man who
will venture TO ceusure them for giving their
assent TO this clause for the reclamation Of
slaves. All the old thirteen States assenled
to it. Fifty years had atlesled the wisdom
Of The convention, aud the faithful adherence
of the people. Who are they that will per-
sume 10 be purer than Washington and his
associates, and attempt TO demolish the
temple which they erected: He speaks
against opening The compromises or the
Constitution which have been consecrated by
time. He would not cast upon the ocean of
chance the blessings which have been secur-
ed, in the hope of gaining Others from it's
darkness and sIoims. He would not trample
upon the faith which has heen pledged to
other States, in the expectation Of extorting
their consent 10 another and different COM
pact. And, as showing the superior sagaciiy
Of this eminent statesman ,and how he appre.
ciated rhe danger that wa, comIng he pic
tures the aboitionst striking al the Union,
and stalking it, fate against the emancipation
| Of The slave.