Civilian & telegraph. [volume] (Cumberland, Md.) 1859-1875, 1864-09-22

lIs PioVOeuiHSo "oio uiS'oA WV
the Rebel invasion of the State, un.
til the sixth of September, when il
finally adjourned, having finished its
labors. e
The changes in Tie traditional pol.
icy Of the State proposed by the ma
jority, were sweeping and radical,
Undoubtedly they had the power to
submit the propositions they intend
ed to adopt and put the through
in short order, without debate, but
we presume no one will contend that
such a course would have been de-
sirable or proper. 1t is true that a
majority of the people of the State
had declared for immediate and un-
conditional abolition of Slavery, and
the majority of the Convention came
fully pledged to carry out that pol
icy, but the very cause of emanci'
patton itse f would have been injur-
ed, if not actually endangered, by
the suppression Of debate upon the
question in the Convection. Of all
the old Slave States in the Union,
Maryland was taking lhciniliative on
this great subject, and her action,
and the reasons for it were sure 10
have an infunece extending far be-
yond her ewn borders. Of course,
as was expected, the opponents oil
emancipation, opposed the measure
with all the yigor, persislency, aud
passion which has always character
lied pro -slavery action upon This sub.
icct in this State and elsewhere, but
they we're met with force of rea.
soning as well as broad humanity
and generous philanthropy on ou'
side, which has done immortal honor
o the participants i'll the debate
any of those speeches viii yet form
text upon which the abollshmen'
Slavery will be advocated and ac-
complished in States now in deadly
rebellion against the Government
SO also Of the Article recogn z:ng
the paramount allegiance due from
the citizen to the Constitution and
Government Of the United States
Our readers are aware that this arti-
Gle strikes mortal blow at the doc
trine of secession, and renders futile
any attempt hereafter "to take any
State out of the Union OH any al
legged legal principle of right. On
this article too, the debate Was tho
rough and exhaustive, and the
friends of the Union have every rca-
son to be proud of the ability dis
played by our friends in the Conven-
ton on this most important and vital
topic. Thus upon these two sub
jects alone more than two months Of
the session were employed and We
do not believe that any true Union
man and emancipationist in the state
or county will consider time wasted
or i'll spent.
The present Constitution of the
Sta'e was most carefully and tho
roughly revised in all other paatic-
ulars, and sui ects of change and
Improvement were, as was right ard
proper, thoughtfulIy, carefully and
fully discussed, and it is quite appa-
rent to all readers of the Journrl OF
Debates, that upon subjects not politi-
cal, both sides brought to their dis
cussion and settlement a full measure
of industry and fidelity. The grand
result, We believe to be an instru-
ment admirably adapted to secure the
best interests of our State, and a
great improvement upon the present
system. The article on education
alone, in our Judgment, is worth all
the cost of the whole instrument
1t is indeed of incalculable value.
every one who has taken an
interest in The subject is aware of the
insuperable difficulties which have
hitherto prevented the adoption of a
uniform system Of Public education
in this State. They were of such a
nature that i, has proved practically
to obtain such system
from the Legislature. The new
Constitution provides a liberal sys-
tenn of free schools which must go
into operation independent Of any
Legislative enactments While the
General Assembly is properly en-
joined to arrange the details and set
in motion the machinery Of gen
eral free school system, the Constitu-
ton provides that the people shall
have the benefit Of this salutary
in case the General Assem-
bly, shall, as heretofore, fail to dis
charge its duty in tho premises. AS
has been the case in all our sister
States, the system will doubtless re-
.ire alterations and amendment from
time to adjust it to the conditions