The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1864-04-01
The Convention-Right of the Ballot

The right OF self government was what
our fnrefathers fought for in rs. Capa-
city for self-government has always been
the boast of the people of the United
States. These assumptions, if true at all,
are as true of, and as inherently belong
to, the people of each separate State, as to
the aggregation of all the people of all the
States. 1t has in fact always been the
American idea, that this principle of self
government, in its widest and broadcast
sense, as well as in its direct and manifold
operations upon the lives, liberties and
property of individuals, found its full il
lustration only under the laws and insttu-
tons of our various State governments.
Are we the free citizens of free Re-,
public, or are we the subjects Of throped
Mouarch, with jeweled crown upon his
head? What are we-the white men of
Maryland-freemen, Boosting of valiant
and berty-lovingsncestry, or are we base,
ignoble slaves? Are our lives our own?
Are we still entitled to our property?
The liberty, the personal rights, the
political rights, won for us by our fathers
on the bloody fields of the revolution, and
guaranteed to us in our federal and State
Constitutions-do theyst belong to us ?
If they do, let US enjoy, exercise and
maintain them.
The universal right of the ballot is es-
seutial in State in which the people
rule, and not King or privileged few.
Now, from time immemorial it has been
the RIGHT OF ALL THE CITIZENS of this
State, having the necessary age and resi-
dcnce, TO VOTE at any election provi-
ded for by the Constitution, or by act Of
the Leg'slature-if compatible with the
Constitution. There is no law and can he
no law-unless the law Of a tyrant-that
can prevent any legal voter in Maryland
from voting his sentiments. The opinions
of uen, neither on politics NOR religion,
nor any other subject, can be rfghtfully
inquired into by the Judges of election.
Nor can the actions Of any voter be inves-
tigated by the judges Of election, under
our Constitution. The Constitution of
Maryland has fred the qualifications of
voters, and he is a traitor aud revolutions
list who maintains that the Legislature Of
the State has any power to add one title
to or subtract one little from the require
ments of the Constitution 10 regard to
these qualifications.
We urge upon all men, then, to be
Jealous in maintaining the right to rote
Let them all-if they would perpetuete
their hberties-unie without distinction
of party, in defending the Constitutional
ballot If the Constitutional ballot is re-
spected by those who are in authority,
then all will be we'll; because the people
are opposed to the scheme of the federal
offce-holders for abolitiouizng Maryland,
in order to please their abolition master
1t is only by military power that Mary
land can be abolitionized And if mill
tary power is used with the sanction, or
without the earnest protest Of the men of
any party, it is proof positive that such
men are, while trying 10 emancipate the
negro, willing to aid III forging the CHAINS
Of slavery for the white men Of Maryland,
who rcfu,e to worship the abunSiun Idol.
Let all who would preserve tueir liberties
be prepared to VOTE AGAINST TIE
CONVENTION l-Frederick Caizen.
DS-A mail agent named Diamond has
been arrested at Troy, Ny, charged with
circulating counterfeit fractional currency.
EaS" j. Wilkes Booth arrived in New
Orleans Oh the 9th. lie is engaged at tho