The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1863-10-17

more reasonably surprised 10 Hnu
their Governor voting for candidate who
disagrees with his political sentiments, and
against one who endorses, and is the expo
nent of, them. The Governor further re-
marks in the letter to Mr.. Mafht, ~ author
| ize You to say that the Editor is entirely
unwarranted in so classifying me-" Gov.
Bradford's b" viewsn have been published
in a column heretofore in The Hhig parallel
with those of Mr.. Maffit's. Mr.. Mafiit
charges us with having printed "garbled and
detached portions of his (the Governors s.
published views and my own In that col
umn. We deny the assertion, that we have
ever garbled either Of their published
views" but gave portions of their letters
which expressed the whole meaning of both
gentlemen on those important points ;
namely, a Constitutional Convention, and
Emancipation in the State. We will here
again reproduce the published views" of
the Governor and Mr.. Maffit on those knotty
points and let the reader judge for himself.
And first as to a Convention; Mr.. Mafit
Says
This Glamour about the Constitutional Convention,
taking the sense OF the people &C. comes particularly
from those who wish to abolish slavery in the State and
the nelli cent reader will also in this proposition
that which, if yielded by the anti Emancipatonists,
GIVES UP ALL THAT THE ENASCIPAToNISTS CLAIM THE
NEXT LEGISLATURE"
If i, is conceded there is nothing needed to in
nugurute in the State in full blast tho question of
ancpation."-M letter in The WIG of June
| -, G3
The following are Governor Bradford S
"views" on the same question:
a Constitution expressly prohibits the Legislature
from abolshing the relation Of Master and slave at
present existing in the State The first step to be taken
therefore, is to provide for taking the Of the peo-
pie upon the subject Of Convention to revise the Con-
sttuun Of the State. 10 advocate the call of such
and to urge upon tho Legislature the
necessity of submitting the question to the people at tho
earliest practicable day, the only legitimate mode by
which the most earnest advocate Of Emancipation can
inaugurne that policy. have hesitated to
the opinion that the next Legislature should by all means
make such provision. The people Of the state have
the constitutional right to express their views upon the
subject of revision Of their organic law every ten
and whether not the same constitutional duty
Of providing for this right rests upon the next Legis
ture it did upon the last ONE WILL QUESTION THEIR
RIGHT TO DO So"
"The Convention which assembled in 1851 and framed
present Constitution, author lied by act which
passed by tho Legislature Immediately preceding it,.
The same act provided for submitting the question Of
Convention to the vote Of the people, and for the
bling of that Convention, if authorized by such vote.
1.-The same proceeding may be adopted now, and
Assembly Thus may not only the question Of Convcn-
ton be submitted. but the Convention itself assembled
by the Of 1851 aud the whole question disposed
OF before that summer is ended"
In regard to emancipation Mr.. Mafit says:
81 am opposed to interference with the private and
guaranteed rights of any Of our citizens
81 am opposed TO any act of Emancipation which has
the effect despo the of slave property of their
right their property which regard to 10 lawfully
theirs M any property have is mime
81 am oppo'ed to any act Of Emancipation WITH COM
PEssAToN ut this time because IT IL NOT ASKED FOR by
ANY CONSIDERABLE NUMBER OF SHAREHOLDERS, HOLDING
CONSIDERABLE NUMBER OF SLAVES. and because do
not know where compensation is to come from-unless
from the people of Maryland"
81 DO NOT AND CANNOT APPROVE THE AGITATION
QUESTION EMANCIPATION OF THH SLAVES OF MAINLAND
IN THE COMING CAMPAIGN think tho agitation of this
question: ANY MATTER CONNECTED WITH IT, can do
good, and will certainly produce mischief"
Governor Bradford on the same question
says;-
81 am satisfied that the conviction has been slowly
but surely maturing in the minds Of the people, for
past that the future growth and prosperity of
State demand change in our system Of labor, and the
of the last years have only served to show the
necessity of providing for that change WITH TIE LEAST
POSSIBLE DELAY"
The greater part, if not all of the Secessionists
among lis, still strangely cngng the hope that the
rebellion would succeed the Southern Contcderacy be
established and Maryland be made part of it, have
been, matter of course, opposed to every mode of
Emancipation, and determined to cling to slavery the
great pillar of their new Republic Besides the class
above mentioned, there doubtless somein my opin
ion however, small proportion of the true Union men
of tho StateNho from early associations other ill.,
huence5 have not yet repqushed their attachment To
slavery They, too however, they calmly consider the
death blow which the rebellion necessarily nict
upon the institution and actuated by desire to avoid
all collisions with their loyal brethren upon any subject
that may wSaked the effect Of their united efforts in
behalf Of the union are day BY day yielding their first
impressions upon tho subject, and acquescing in the
policy of State Emancipation by the earliest practicable
| means"
| The reader will mark the irreconcilabe
difference in the views" of the Governor
and Mr.. Matlit on these two questions, and
see whether we were justified in CHASING
Governor Bradford among the opponents Of
Mr.. Mafft. The fact Of the Governors
promising to vote for Mr.. Mallit, does not
change the record, or falsify the classified
ton of The Wing. The proof is, that the
Governor endorses the policy of Mr.. Colds
borough and the Union party and gives them
all his influence as public and representa-
tive man, while he puts Mr.. Matit off with
the beggarly compliment of one VOTE
Could Mr.. Mafiit have penned more cut
ting satire on himself than the extract from
Governor Bradford's letter which he pro-
duced in his last weeks Elimination to fall
! sify the statement referred.to in The Whig,
in the face of the deliberately expressed
b" views" of Governor Bradford published
broadcast over the State?
Mr.. Mafit further complains that we have
"also misrepresented me and in wilful and
positive manner asserted, that was opposed
to Constitutional Convention"
We would be obliged to Mr.. Maiit or any
of his friends, if he, or they, can point to a
single word he has written during the pres
ent canvass, which favors the call of Con-
stitutional Convention by the Legislature
during the next session. What Mr.. Mafiit
may think Or say about the call of Conven-
ton at some remote period not named, we,
or the people ut large, care nothing about.
1t is no1-the present hour, we have to deal
with. Is not Mafiits language as quoted
above, opposed to the call of Convention?
Did not Mr.. Mafit refuse to adopt the fifth
article of the platform of the Convention
which nominated him, because that article
recommended the call of Convention p
Now, when Mr.. Mahit finds that the popular
tide is setting so strongly in favor of Con-
stitutional Convention, he tries to forget the
fact that he has said that this demand for
call of Convention by the next Legislature