Civilian & telegraph. [volume] (Cumberland, Md.) 1859-1875, 1864-03-31
To THE VOTERS OF ALLEGANY
70 tpP" 7f- COUNTY.

The Election to take place on the sixth
of April next is the most important ever
held in Maryland. At no previous time
in the history of the State, were issues SO
vital. ever presented for the decision OF
tue people. On that day, under legal
and competent authorization, you are to
vote (" FOR" or 4 AGAINST a Conven-
ton to revise the Constitution of theiState.
1t has not been without severe and pro-
tracted struggle that this right has been
conceded to you, but it is now taefuHJ
yours; and every consideration which can
influence the mind of a freeman and a
patriot demands that you should exer-
else it. ~ bigo.. .s-sJ .6s-l.se.mD
To vote "FOR" Constitutional Con-
vention, at this time, is TO declare your
selves in favor, of altering the existing Or
ganic law, for the following, among many
good and substantial reasons. I'D,
I. Because it has been gravely held
of the present instrument, that, howevel
imperious may be the necessity, the peo;
pie have no right to alter, amend, h Of
abolish it; except under a combination
Of circumstances, over which they have nc
effective control, and which can happen
but, once in ten years. o,, l.,,. ii
ii Because, while apparently grant;
ing to the people, the largest and most
comprehensive powers, tso surrounds the
exercise of them with restrictions and
prohibitions, as practically to deny the
beneficial enjoyment of them.
LII. Because it establishes. and seeks
to perpctuate, a system and Apportion-
ment of Representation among the coun-
ties, so grossly unjust and unequal, that
the prepopderance of, power in the Legis,
laturc is secured to those possessing less
than one third of the white population o.
the State, e. .A ""li' .t", 80 - '''''
bfIV, Because, in violation Of the ptih-
ciples of humanity and of civilization,
and contrary to the spirit Of the age, by
the 2lss Article Of the declaration oI
Rights it expressly denies its protection tc
the free coloed population of the State
comprising oneeighth Of the whole mum
Der of its subjects. 5it q. N =" 4
v. Beeause'i 1t denies to the people Of
the State through its Legislature the
power to "ab6l,sh the relation Of master
and slave, asit now exists ,'' though the
maintenance Of that relation may impose
intolerablo. hardships and burdens, not
only upon the free, white population who
are not slavehoders--but upon the slave
holders themselves.1I a.i 5'f5 ID oL
10 vote q" AGAINST h Convention,
is to ayow yourself in favor of these
abuses Of good government and Of Just
rights, and to in maintaining and per.
pctuating them. Q. 10 4l'm Z. '9' p'ei
Fellow Citizens! 1t is well known t.
every body that the leading object of .
Constitutional Convention at this moment
is to provide for the adjustment of slavery
throughout the State All other change:
in the instrument spoken of as likely tt
be made are either subject to or involved
in this Fundamental one, and naturally
follow its adoption. We believe the, tim(
has come when every vesta Of thc''' pc
culiar institution should be swept from
the State. If the time eger existed when
it was profitable, or advantageous. or de.
sirablc as measure of State policy, that
time has long since passed, away. The
present generation has only known it as
an obstacle to ouEprogress, a check to our
development, and burden upon our pros
peritity. Its malign influence has come
near to drag US into open hostilitics with
the Government Of cur country, and, had
it been successful in. forcing us into a
collision with, that power, it is plain to
all men that We should have been ground to
powder. No une doubts what would have
been the fate Of Allegany in that event.
Even as it is, we have paid our full share
of the penalty for chefishing in theState.
a power, and an influence, with which we
had nothing in common. Though the
people, in adopting the present constitu-
ton consented. that in the apportionment
of Representatives in i the 4 Legislature
fourteen thousand white men in Allegany
should only equal four thousand in, Cal
vert, They never did agreo, that the
madness of the slave power should plunge
US into utter ruin. Since, that madness
alone has provoked the contest which has
crushed it, We, are not called upon to
sacrifice ourselves in its defence or to
bury ourselves in its suicidal graye.---
While we firmly believe that Emancipa-
ton will assuredly promote the true inter-
ests of every, part of the State, We can
haveno hesitation in ridding ourselves of a
ruined and worthless institution, which
has only worked balefully and injuriously
to those peculiar to us. 1i3xa 3lizl %
:. Nor, are we willing to burden the pro-
duetive industry of the State for an in
definite period Of time. to provide COM
pensation to the owners of alespecies oi
property which no longer has any value.
With the causes which produce 2the loss
cf all value in slaves in Maryland, 'ce
had nothing to do. JIe. never engaged
in a bloody rebellion against the United
States in order TO preserve, and perpetuate
the institutim., 1t is,no new thing inthe
history of civilized and commercial na-
tions for property to- fallsin value, but It
asoald be q new thing for any government
to undertake toshold its citizens harmless
from decline in the valueiof. any part OF
their property no government; under
Heaven could do orr attempt to do this
without running its people. No let our
fellow citizens aowhose property in slaves
has lost,its value, find their com pensation
in the greater Icheamess Of production by
free labor; in the enhanced value which
their lands will Immediately aiaipire dby
t6ar.skaiitionof the system, and IN the
incalculable advantages in every way.
wAiehswill, ensure to them. by their hear.
~ aadeptiqllaf free institutions with all
their atteBdsnt blessings.ads oai u -tus
That these will be theihappy results
Of immedate emancipation in Maryland.
we 0 canneti doubt. The Fortunate geo.
graphical position Of theaState, sher glori,
GUS aHplstes ben generous soil, tie inex-
-k al L. l.