St. Mary's gazette. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1863-1867, 1864-03-24
March 24.h, 1864,
The Proposed Convention.

The Proposed Convention.
Our Democratic and Conservative Unioi
exchanges come to us from every section o
the State. frri.hted with earnest and zeal"u:
effrss in opposition Tn the proposed Conssitu
tiouai Conven,i,n. Indeei. IL the press ma,
be regarded as an index to pnhiic opinion
we regard this messure--.a,tsiir Of the Cit,
Of Baltimore-as already defeated. The grcsI
mass Of the vntc,s of the Northern section o
the State think il unjuss to emancipats oul
slaves. without compensation. and they ara
unwilling to be taxed fr that purpose
TIER position. therefore. becomes plain and
simple. and they frankly declare Themselves
against Convention. In this state Of affairs
what becomes oar duty? Shall we maintain
our principles, OF sacrifice them at the altar
of supposed interest and expe'liency? And
hy adopting ,l.y latter alternative, and kis!-
ing an Abolition Constitution upon the people
Of the State. what shall we gAin7 Will We
30 compensated for our property, either by
the State or Government. and have We either
guarantee or pr"n,ise to that effect?
But. it would seem useless to make
further reference TO the institution Of sla-
very 10 this State. for, ia its waning and
crippled condition. it may be regarded as
hardly worth defending. In this section.
the Government has already rendered il
proftless and buriensom,s. and the tenure
to this species Of property is far too insecure,
IL we are looking solely te interest. to justi-
~ the wagiug OLA coatest over it. Never
theless. five think we are right. we should
ssand b. our principles. The Government,
will hardly assume to dictate to US upon a
subject purely relevant to local iostitu-
tion. and, If il should, the right Of protest
and demonstrate is still left to Us. If the
use of our slave negro men--we claiming
them as property--has become necessary 10
the maintenance and support Of the Cow
eminent. it unquestiouably has the right to
take the,n. Ii it has the ability. and not
the Justice to compensate Us. we may gain.
say the right. bu, the power still exists.
We may, therefore, obey the decree of the
Government. without sGrrendering the
principle which this obedience may in
volye.
Again. there IL another question con-
nccsed with this Convention measure which
NC regard rs Of vital Importance. We re-
Ger TO the preservation ct our represents
tive status in the Legislature Of the State,
The Southern and smaller counties are al
ready too much under the control Of the
grasping and ambitious aemagoeues who
nov form and control public sentiment in
the more populous 81 ctions Of the State. A
Convention. by increasing their nurnber.
will give them more power for mischief.
whilst any dinination Of our present rep
resentatioa will place Us entirely under
their control. And can we hare doubt
az to the policy Of Convention upon this
question. should Que bs called? Who
here desires that the representation of Bal
sinore city and the larger coun-
ties Of the State shall be increased,
whilst that Of this county shall be
proporsionably di,niuishedf Do wc desire
"a huild mere railroads. TO bring Western pro.
fGcc IN composition with our own? Shall We
die more canals, that coal may entirely saper-
csde our e.wd- woekag DO we wish % be- still
further taxed. that Northern Maryland may
l,e enriched, and ourselves again brought to
che verge cf Reputation The assembling Of
Coryenlirn at this time woull be most like
y to intimately produce these results, and
we. therefore. deena ii safer and wiser 20 vote
a.ainst il. When the existing revoluti.'n
shall sutside, and the people shall be restored
To their nmmal condition. a Convention may
be called. ami iii then be doomed necessary
q exr~aenf 10 change the arg anic law Of the
sase.si. win he right sna rruper u do n.
Union Central Coanittss-
At Ia. Union eouven.ion. held IL Bal
timose city ON tho 2aud ui,;ro. NIsssfs.
NJ, c. Jones aud Philip O. Love were ap-
pqinfekl v central l.olauiilsss Tor this coun-