Civilian & telegraph. [volume] (Cumberland, Md.) 1859-1875, 1864-05-19
The Constitutional Convention


The Constitutional Convention
The Convention appears to be slowly
getting into harness, preparatory to the
discharge of the high duties imposed upon
it. The Committees were promptly APP
pointed by the distinguished President,
and We believe they are of a character to
give general satisfaction to the friends of
Union and Emancipation throughout the
State, We perceive by the proceedings
Of Thursday last, that it has been deemed
advisable to increase the number Of three
of the most important, by the addition of
two members to each of them The con-
vcntion adopted the order to the effect on
motion of Mr. Hebb of this county.
The Committee on the "Declaration of
Rights" reported on the same day, and
their report made the special order for
this day. The changes from the old Bill
Of Rights are few in number, but they
are momentous in effect. Article 4, of
the Bill reported by Mr.. Stirling is en-
tirely new, and, we believe is not now
found in the Constitution of any State in
the Union, but we think it will soon take
its place in all of them. More than six
ty years of embittered controversy, cul-
Ininating at last in the present gigantic
rebellion, has made it necessary to define
in an authoritative manner the relations of
the State to the General Government. and
Mr.. Stirling has done 80 in unmistakable
language in this Article which We quote ::
Art. 4. i" The Constitution of the
United States and the laws made in pur-
suance thereof being the Supreme law of
the land, every citizen of this State owes
pramont allegiance TO the Constitution
and Government of the United States
and is not bound by any law or ordinance
of this State in contravcntion or subycr.
sion thereof
Had such declaration as this existed
in the Constitution of all the States from
the beginning. it is difficult to concciv,
how the infamous hcresy of secession
could have ever been born, and yet moth
ing is clearer to our mind than that i
cmbodies the only true theory of our Gov
ernmcnt. We are really Nation, ant
not mere confederation of Independent
sovcreigntics. The supreme power of tn,
land does reside in the Constitution ant
Government of the United States" and
not in each individual state thereof. re
that supreme power the citizen of Maine
and Maryland, Of New York and Geor-
gin, Of Massachusetts and Kentucky does
really owe paramount allegiance, and
it is right and proper that Mary land-thc
FIRST of the old States to remodel her con-
stitution since the prevalence of the OPP
posite doctrine plunged the whole nation
into cruel and bloody war, should de-
clare the truth in the most solemn and
authentic manner. Hcnceforth, let us
have no ground in this State to talk of
State sovereignty as against the United
States, nor of pretended allegiance to
the State, rs paramount to that We all owe
to the Nation of which We form a part.
Hereafter let it be forever understood that
ordinances of secession" presumption
Of sovereignty" and all acts whatever in
contravention or subversion of the su-
preme law Of the land, are simply rebel
lion, and are to be suppressed and pun
ished as such
Article 90, of Mr.. Strings report, is
also new article in the Maryland Dec
laration of rights, though happily it is
not without parallel in the Constitutions
Of many Of our sister States, so far as re-
CARDS the declaration with which it sets
out In the noble language of the oelc-
bratcd Jcffersonian Ordinance, it dc.
elarcs, THAT hereafter, in this State there
'shall be neither slavery nor involuntary
"servitude, except in punishment Of crime
whereof the party shall have been duly
convicted" and then follows brief sen.
tence, few momcntous words. which
are to wash mighty change in the dcsti
MES Of Maryland, "and all persons held
i TO service or labor as slaves are hereb,
declared free"
This, that stupendous fabric of wroni
and outrage, of crime and wickedness
~ hich for nearly century has domi
mated the State, ruling it with rod o
iron. topples to its fall. Rooted in thu
habits and maturcd by the prcjudiccs @
( many generations, it had seemed to
powerful to be overthrow by any mean
short Of a general upheaval and dissolu
ton Of the whole framework of society
but thanks to the overrullng hand O
Divine Providence. we shall soon see
pass away without shock of social con
3 yulsion,a and Maryland shall stand a
o1ce, redeemed, regenerated, Olsen
tbrallcd.' ~ 49,,
1901 s.~-----