St. Mary's beacon., 1858-05-13


State bonds, and the expiration On the first Of
April Of the lottery grants. IL then we de-
duct $50, 900 from the revenue Of the State,
and add as much more to the payment Of the
cost Of the convention, there will be at the low
ct figure some three hundred thousand dollars
tn be raised by taxation upon the people at
large This may be but a small matter to the
Legislature that instituted this call, but it will
I've pretty heavy item TO the people in these
times of general distress and depression. If
then the people of the State are deSrous of in
creasiug their taxes, let them vote for the cnn-
vention, aud they will be gratifed in that par
ticular. Whether they will reap any benefit
from the convention or not, is another question
entirely.
(From the Worcester Shield.)
"1. We object to call Of a convention, be-
cause the people have not asked for it.
80 We object because the evils complained
Of in the present constitution, so Ear as We are
enlightened on the subject, are not so weighty
Us to justify the expenditure Of three ar four
hundred thousand dollars of the peoples mo
ney.
a3. We object because the Eastern Shore
and the small counties Of the Western Shore
will DC deprived Of large share Of the polit-
ical influence they enjoy under the present con-
stitution.
-. We object, because the whole movement
il unlawful and revolutionary, and will have a
tendency TO weaken the stability Of republican
government By encouraging desire already
too prevalent, for change in Fundamental laws.
"5. We object, because all the important de-
fects in the present constitution can be reme-
died by4cgislative enactments.
These five objections. hastily called to mind,
we think suffrient to induce the people TO vote
against the call of convention OH the fourth
! Wednesday Of Nav next. But we have ano-
ther, which We think conclusive of itself.
"6. We object, because the present constitu-
| tinn points ont the time at which 1t may he
changed, and that time is disregarded by the
law calling on the people to vote for conven-
ton" or against a convention The declar-
alton in the bill of rights that 1.-The people have
at all times the right to alter, reform or abolish
their government in such manner as they may
deem expedient," is simply the assertion of ali
abstract right in the people to change their
form Of government under the same authority
that our ancestors overthrow British authority
on this continent, viz: when resistance becomes
less evil than submission. But that clause
was Dever intended to point out the tG,cfMI
modes by which our government could be
ent mode from the one therein asserted and,
we hold, that when a specific mode is prescrib-
ed, and time is to elapse before that motie can
be rcscrted to, the idea that it can be done i'll
any other mode, or at prior time, Is ex-
cluded.
1--WE have not room to argue the sixth OBJ
lection at length. Our point is, that there are
two modes of changing the constitution of a
State one lawful the other revolutionary
The lawful mode is the one prescribed in the
| constitution. The revolutionary mode is de-
clared in the Bill Of Rights, when resistance
becomes necessary.
(Fronr The Maryland Union.)
"Thc object OF the conspirators in this Re
form Conspiracy, as shown by their votes, their
acts and their declarations, may be summed up
briefly as follows:
| 1St. They want permanent control OF this
State, under whatever new organization Of par
ties that may arise, without regard to any prin-
| ciple whatever.
! 2nd. They want all the Offices in the State,
thus contributing to their permanent power.
"3rd. They want all the patronage to be in
the hands Of the Executive, who will be the
creature Of the Clubs. thus ensuring the enjoy
ment Of it to them.
4th. They want the control of the LcgiSla-
ture, by increasing the representation Of Balt-
more, which v i'll also he elected by the Clubs,
thus securing the rest Of the State at their feet.
9th. They want to disturb the slave element
in the basis Of representation, introducing in
stead Freesoii one, placing the smaller and
slaveholding counties at the mercy Of the fight
ing men of Baltimore
9th. They want to take from the people the
distribution Of patronage; for from them they
have no hopes, but from their Governor, a GER
tainty of Office.
7th They want to strike from the Constitu-
ton the prohibition of the creation of public
debt, thus abolishing the greatest check upon
their corrupt and extravagani legislation.
9th. They want to abolish the present Court
of Appeals, the insuperable barrier to their at
tacks upon the Constitution. and to substitute
therefor partizan Judiciary Of their own crc
alton, for the express purpose of defending and
concealing their infractions Of law and denials
of justice.
10Th. They thus seek by proceeding ini-
tiated by themselves unasked for by the peo-
pie, to place the Executive, the Legislature and
the Judicial Departments Of Government, in
the hands of the Clubs, to destroy the safe
guards of Constitutional liberty, to reduce the
Government to the pure rule of a majority,
| which majority shall he represented by them,
| through their frauds and murder and outrages
on the Ballot Box, and by this means to per-
petuate their enjoyment Of place and power for
period, until justice aud annihilation together
come upon them. They will not succeed. We
earnestly believe in the virtue and integrity Of
the people, and that they will not allow these
outrages to be perpetrated.
E.n,.. IL. RrlA:-.n~. Dn&-:oS