Civilian & telegraph. [volume] (Cumberland, Md.) 1859-1875, 1863-05-21
WHITTIER are ye ganging there7 2" "Boct

"WHITHER are ye gangng thereT "Bock
again." said Sawny, was the brief, pithy and
satisfactory colloquy, Of n Lord OF the soil, of
Great Britain, and a Scotch Poacher, who
was cautiously creeping through the hedge.
to capture hare. A similar question and
like answer. would properly represent an
incident, which, we learn, recently occurred
at Baltimore, between self created and Sc
cret caucus, of political wire workers, and
faithful sentinel, who carefully watches the
preserves of Uncle Sam.
1t seems that the resolutions, in favor of q
State Convention, which were, recently
adopted in Allegany, did not, altogether,
please certain Union men Of Maryland
Thereupon q circular, we understand, was
addressed, by sentinel on the watch tower,
inviting a select few, to meet at Baltimore
and consult, upon the signs of the times, 1t
being intended that measures ought to be
taken. to resist, all attempts to pledge the
Union party of Maryland, in favor of a State
Convention. We have not a full list of the
names of those who were to compose this Sc
lect company. We understand, that Gen.
Edward Shriver, of Frederick, John f.
Smith, ESQ.,, of Carroll and one other gen.
tleman from Allegany, were selected to speak
for the 4th Congressional District. That
Mr.. CrisGeld and Others, were chosen, for the
Eastern Shore District That, Mr.. Calvert,
A. B. Davis Esq, Mr.. S,lman and Mr. Hall,
were from the Bay counties, and that other
gentlemen, whose names we have not learned,
were chosen from other portions of the State.
Gov. Bradford and Elk Gov. Hicks, were al
80, we understand, invited to be present, but
declined to participate.
We have not learned what was done at
this secret conclave. and we do not much
care. No such proceeding can, we believe
arrest the swelling popular torrent, in behalf
of a State Convention in Maryland. 1t was
the duty of the Legislature, at its last session
to adopt measures to take the votes OF the
ne ople Of the State, for and against con-
vention. This duty was imposed by the ex-
press Ian guage of the constitution. No dis
CTeCOn was lelt 10 tHo %h'
we do not understand how the members, con-
sistently with their oaths to support the con-
stitution. could neglect to discharge that du-
ty. The people of Maryland have right to
say, whether they will or will not have
constitutional convention. 1t is not to be
denied, that the opposition to convention.
has its origin in an apprehension, that such
a convention might initiate measures for
gradual emancipation in Maryland. 1t is
highly probable that such fears are well
founded, but they furnish no good excuse for
these proceedings. The popular will on this,
as on all other questions, must prevail. Our
State constitution guarantees to the people
right, to meet in Convention, once in every
ten years, if majority desire to have such an
assemblage, and no Legislature faithfully dis
charges its duties, who fail to recognise this
popular right. In that respect the demand
of The majority of the people is to be graft
fed. And it is idle to suppose, that the Pc
culiar friends of any institution, can protect
and perpctuatc it against the will OF the ma
jorty, which in all republics is, when con-
additionally expressed, the law of the land.
All the great interests of Allesany, would be
promoted by gradual emancipation. The
mining and manufacturing capabilities OF the
county, are almost unlimited. They are
languishing for want of capital and labor
And these could be had in abundance, but
for the existence of slavery in Maryland.
Notwithstanding, if a majority of the peo-
pie decide, to pet and pcrpetuate this insti-
tuition, we Of Allegany will submit. But we
must insist upon having public, open, fair
test of popular opinion, and we protest
against secret, selfish conclaves, and defiance
by legislative bodies. Of the clearly expressed
commands and requirements of the constitu-
ton.