Weekly national intelligencer., 1851-05-24
THE NEW CONSTITUTION PROPOSED FOR THE
STATE OF MARYLAND.


STATE OF MARYLAND.
The new Constitution devised for the State of
MARYLAND by the Convention which has been in
session for six months past seems not likely, SO far
as we can Judge from public expressions of opin-
ion ON the subject to be ratified by the People of
the State.
To our mind, had we the right to vote upon the
question Of its acceptance, there two features of
it which would 60 far towards deciding US against
it, the one being the change which it proposes in
the structure of the Judiciary Of the State, and the
other the proposed periodical revision Of the Con-
stitution, taking away, in both cases, the stability
which gives security to property and personal
rights, and is inseparable to the order and pros
perity of every Commonwealth.
The opposition to the Constitution within the
State, however, TO be more decidedly direct
ed to the manner in which the Constitution comes
before the People for their immediate judgment
than to its substance; to the uncertainty which
hangs over some of its provisions and the want of
proper care for making public and rendering intel
ligible to the People the terms of the Constitution
upon which they are required to vote. BY an
oversight which excites general surprise, provi-
sion was made by the Convention for the publica-
papers, the only means by which the People gene
rally could be practically put in possession of it.
Worse than all this are some of the things stated,
from apparently authentic sources, in the public
prints of the State. We should be sorry to give
currency to all the rumors that we have heard upon
this subject: but for the information Of our readers
within the State of Maryland, we feel bound to
place before them the following extracts (corrobo
rated from other quarters) from that cautious and
discreet paper, the Baltimore Americans
GA communication in columns this morning says the
American Of yesterday gives details which has
made quite current in the city concerning the proceedings Of
the last nights session of the Convention Annapolis The
communication is from authentic and responsible
1T s quite evident that really kno,os ,ohat the
ew Constitution Of the State, proposed by the Conven
ton, does does not include thing Of shreds and patches
is not whole ,oedefned collection of pieces
Such result of the random doings Of the Convention for
period six months compensate for the expense
OF its production only the claim has acquired the gen.
era contempt Of the people, and to the rejection which has
fair right to expect.
"I Notifying enough to know that the great affairs of
the Commonwealth, involving her high sovereignty and the
dearest interests her citizens should have been treated with
such indecent moekey multfaous Of scraps with
out even wire through them to give them the unity of
string of old recepts-ths is to be called Constitution
and if any wishes refer the original copy Of that
most original compaton il must be sought for, according
our correspondent IN the and sveep;ags of printing
office among the rubbish of ert;nc copy And this the
State Of Maryland" &%.
The communication referred to above, g from an
authentic and responsible suulce, fully bcars out
this severe condemnation of the doings of the Con-
vention. We copy no more of it, in the following
Paragraphs. than is necessary to show schat sort
Constitution the People of Maryland are called
to vote upon:
ssThe last ION the last night Of the Convention]
would have been amusing had the occasion been grave
one There stood the Committee of Revision, headed by
their chamaD about two O'Clock A. NJ with house around
hem partly excited and partly aep presenting the Con-
sution bunch only fit to be offered the counter
of merchant Some asked for needle and thread
stitch the Constitution; saying that it likely to be
"a under the fugitive law Of Congresnone knowing
what the bunch contaned-when the President formally an
nounced that had form of Government, and tho
Convention was adjourned.
This original bunch Of papers, am tod be
at printing office this city, where the curious in such
matters may inspect them The effect of all this h that no
two members Of the Convention agree the provisions
actually passed. and there have been three publications of the
Constitution each leaving something found the Others
and each puporng to be signed by the President and secre
ary Truly We have thing Of shreds and patches What
the soberminded people will think Of the finale remains
be but If the lawoving and dgni6ed who formed
the Constitution Of 76 permitted revisit the
of their former glory, they would hang their heads with
shame at the degeneracy Of their posterity.