Civilian & telegraph. [volume] (Cumberland, Md.) 1859-1875, 1864-06-23
Constitutional Convention,

We learn from some members OF tue
Convention, who arrived home on Sasur-
day morning last, that Mr.. Strings
speech on the Fourth Article of the De-
claration of Rights was very able and ef-
foctiye. i. was delivered on Thursday
last. closing the debate upon the Article,
and was listened to for more than an
hour and half with the most profound
interest and attention. As our readers
are aware this is an entirely new article
IN our Bill of Rights, and it afirms in
language mainly copied from the Consti-
tuition itself, the supremacy of the Con-
stitution and Laws of the United States
over all State laws and ordinances in
violation of it, and declares that every
citizen of this State owes paramount allie
glance thereto. 1t is perfectly plain to
every man that the doctrines laid down
in this article. had they been originally
incorporated, into our organic law, woull
have utterly deprived the advocates of
the monstrous hcresy Of Secession ofeve-
~ vestigc of ground upon which they
could possibly stand. We can only ac-
count for their absence from all the State
Constitutions, up to that ofWest Virginia.
upon the same theory that led the ancient
Romans to omit from their penal code any
punishment for the crime of parricide. as
being so shideous and unnatural that it
could never be committed. The terrible
events, however, Of the last three years
have taught our statesmen the necessity
of guarding against any future attempts
at secession in Maryland, by clear and
explicit denial of the infamous doctrine at
the very threshold of the organic law
and we look for our example in this re-
spect to be followed up sooner or later BY
all the States in the Union,
The debate upon the article had been
very tedious and protracted. The Eau
thorities." pro aud con, had been cited.
aud again cited, on both sides until the
great majority of the Convention was ut
terly wearied out with the discussion
Mr.. Stirling took the floor under this
very great disadvantage; but he very soon
made it apparent that the subject in his
hands was again to be made one of vital
and absorbing interest describing en-
tirely the so-called authorities" wheth-
er the Madison papers, Story's Common
taries. or heterogeneous sophistries of Jno.
G. Calhoun, and the equally able refuta-
tons of them by Daniel Webster he ap-
pealed at once to every mans own con-
scsous convictions with eloquence and
power.
II is related in Boswel's life of john
son that some one, on some occasion, en-
gagged in discussion with the Sage upon
the intricate and abstruse doctrine of free
will. The venerable philosopher and
moralist suddenly closed the argument
with these words: "Sir, We kaoio the will
is free, and there's an end on't.' So
Dir. Stirling, with eloquent and pointed
words, set forth the invincible fact, that
in every mans heart and conscience, how
over much it may be obscured BY pre-
judice and passion, there lies the convic-
ton, profound and immovable. of the abb
solute supremacy and sovereignty of the
United States in all things whatever un-
der the Constitution The United States
vas bis country. his nation; its flag his
banner; its strong arm his protection and
support. IN every land and every cline.
His illustrations OF this truth, urged as
they were with all the sincerity and earn
cstncss so characteristic of him, were ir-
resistibie. The miserable bugbear Of
consolidation, too, which had been con-
jured up BY some of the orators on the
other side, came in for his annihilnting
scorn and contempt. lie showed the Ut
cor absurdity of comparing our people and
institutions with those of any other peo-
Me under heaven; and pointed out how
consolidation. which, after all, was only
. strengthening Of the powers of the Gen
mi Government. could only affect the
peorie Of the States. BY ensuring to them
: greater security in their Republican
lnstitutions, (which are guaranteed by
e Gunst;tatioa :. and the largest protee-
60 u personal liberty, which Is afforded
S16jscts. By ,slj. Gcverament under