The daily exchange. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1858-1861, 1858-04-05
The following call for an I" Eastern Shore Con
vention," appears in the Easton Star of Tuesday.
EASTERN SHORE CONVENTION

EASTERN SHORE CONVENTION.
To the People Of the Eastern Shore:
FELLOW CITIZENS believing that the RIGHTS of
the Eastern Shore are more seriously endangered
than at any previous period since the DAYS of the
Revolution, the undersigned citizens oftbe Eastern
Shore OF Maryland, earnestly invoke your atten
dance at a Mass Convention, to be held at Easton
on Wednesday and Thursday, the 14th and 18th of
April.
For nearly twenty years our very likelihood has
been drawn from us in the shape of direct taxes
In opposition to our wishes and efforts an enormous
public debt was incurred for the construction of
magnificent system of public works on the Western
Shore, which had the effect to build up great
emporium OF wealth and power upon the Western
shore, without any commensurate benefit to our
own. With firm conviction of the diversity of
interests which the Geographical position of the
Two SHORES must ever occasion, our consent to the
last OF these appropriations was only Welded in
consideration of a compact between the two divi-
sions of the State, whereby the sum of one million
OF dollars was to be appropriated and held sacred
39y the state, for internal improvements upon the
Eastern Shore, and the faith of the State was
solemnly pledged that that sum should be so ex-
pended upon this Shore.
Whilst the Western Shore exacted the PROMPT
payment of her portion of this appropriation, we
forebore to demand from the State the fultment of
her pllghted faith until she had recovered from her
own difficulties. Relying upon her good faith and
desiring to sustain her honor, we stood by her in
that dark hour when the cry of opposition to taxa
IL
the State was so doubtful of her own right to i'm
pose this tax that she prohibited the courts from
lnqulrIng into its constitutonality. The history of
the world can furnish other example of equal en-
durance for the benefit of others, by free people
from mere sentiment of honor.
For two successive Legislatures, by the ,unni-
nous voice of our Eastern Shore REPRESENTATIVES
we have now claimed from the State the redemp-
ton OF her obligation; and we have been spurpeG
like mendicants from the doors of the Legislative
Halls by the influence of the very power to whose
growth we have so largely contributed. But even
TINS Is not sufficient to CRAFTY the spirit of injustice
ana oppression. Since our claim is provided for
by the present constitution, and our present power
In the Legislature has proved nearly sufficient to
secure Its payment the constitution itself must be
changed.
1t has been boldly asserted that the State has a
right to repudiate an obligation to her own citizens
because they have legal power to enforce it; and
that where an obligation is repudiated bv cbanme
IN the constitution, the Legislature has no power to
fulfill it. NV P0"'' ~
The hat has gone forth-Before another regular
session of the Legislature, the constitution is to be
changed Our representation which is vet large
enough to be troublesome to the Western Shore is
10 De reduced still lower whilst that of the Western
Shore is to be still further increased; and then our
bondage will be complete
In view of these impending dangers we invoke all
the citizens of the Shore, who concur in the views
herein set FORTH to lay aside their party differences
and to assemble in convention for the adoption of
such measures as will secure immediate settle
ment of our claim.
Let us present united opposition to the evils
with which we are now seriously threatened, and
which can only be averted by prompt and deter
mined 1900