Port Tobacco times, and Charles County advertiser. (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1845-1898, 1851-02-19

we noticed in our columns some remarks by
the editor of the Baltimore Sun, in relation to
the article lately adopted by the Convention,
prohibiting the Legislature passing any law
''to abolish or change the relation of master
and slave as it now exists in this Stae."-
We contended that it was in accordance
with republican principles for the Conven-
ton to engraft that prohibition upon the
Constitution, because the people had de-
manded it., and because the rights Of the
STAKEHOLDER could not be secure without it.
But the Sun says s!Ths is node of rea-
soning that may do for Port Tobacco, but
we are forced to differ with our friend in his
conclusions. We assent to the perfect right
on the part Of the Legislature, to establish
such prohibition with respect to the Con-
ven.ion; but vel by no means recognize the
! right Of the Convention to set up cons,i-
lulonal prohibition against the nalienable
RICH. Of the people," The editor Of the
"Sun' denies the RICH, Of the Convention to
/ COHottt0'fOLLf
ever true his remarks may be with respec,
10 unauthorized prohibitions, we cannot i'm
agine how it is possible for the editor to de-
nv the right of the Convention to adopt the
one in question. Where did the Convention
get authority to meet for the purpose Of re-
forming the old, or adopting u new Conss
tuition? II from The people, then did the
Convention receive from the people also
instructions TO Continue prohibition against
The legislatures The following extract from
the law, for taking the sense Of the people
upon The expectancy of calling a Conven-
ton, will show:
''SEc. l. Be it enacted by the General Assembly
of Maryland, That for the purpose of ascertaining
the of the people of this State as to the ex-
pcdiency of calling a convention of delegates to
be elected by the people to frame a new constitu-
ton and form OF government, except far as re-
CARDS the rights and relations eristiRg betlreen master
and Stare established and sanctioned bg the con-
stitution and form Of government Of This State" SC.
! Here is a unconstitutional prohlbilon," de-
manded by the people themselves, and for
ends fault with the Convention, and SAYS Sit
becomes a master and the people, them
selves, are enslaved" Is ii s!against the in
alienable right of the people" that their
chosen servants have done as they were
commanded2
Evidently circumstances require that slave
property in Maryland-unlike property of
any other scriplion-shaII be removed as
! far as possible from the hands of those I'M
scrupu1ous persons who afectto have great
deal more sympathy for the negro than for
unfortunate white men in far worse condi-
ton. Have no. the people, then, a right to
ask such prohibitions against the Legisla-
ture" as may render this property secure !?
LIE. the republican (9) theory of the "sun,"
relative TO this subject, 60 into practice and
we imagine it will not be long before the
| Abolition Societies Of the N orh will devise
ways and means to "colonize" votes upon
us in sufficient numbers 10 carry out their
scheme of emancipation.
We agree with the "Sun," that the rela-
! ton Of master and slave is t:delicate" sub
| ieci; and for tina, reason, we think, it should
be more jealously guarded by every one
who is willing to do Justice to his neIghbor
We have not intended, by our remarks,
any more than to show how injuriously to
the interests of our shareholders would the
theory of the ''Sun" operate If carried into
practice. As a theory, it will do well E.
nough for certain purposes; but we can
no, see how it will operate for the good of
the whole peope-the true principle upon
which all governments should be establish
ed. There are variety of interests IN our
State and each has claim to the protection
of government. That Of slavery, at this
/ time, needs more than usual protection, and
for i, we shall contend even though we shall
be found advocating the rights Of a minority
against unfair influences from abroad or has
| ty legislative action at home.
| BENEFICENT ACT.-The National IN
telligencer of Friday says The Senate
of the United States on Monday passed
bill which will stand an enduring monument
of wise and phIlanlhropic legislation. We
refer to the bill appropria'ing ten millions
of acres Of the public lands (equal to twelve
millions five hundred thousand doIlars) to
| be apporlioned among the several States in
all equitable ratio, for the endowment of
Hospitals for the INDECENT Insane Most