Maryland free press. [volume] (Hagerstown [Md.]) 1862-18??, 1866-08-23
1RT, MD,. .11THDRsD DA " IA.AIUGUsT as,. .lsss.l'

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| has doreAh in hisipc&er 10 restofej the rights %
the Staiesin the gfslation of seDurtry bygiv-
ingtto each section its Alh share. Legislation
without representation IL an anomaly IN Our po-
litieal ssstem.l Under any oiler form of govern
nient twoiid be but another name for usurpa-
fi0n and misrule. slsGUy stENth 'tii" Hul'aI -
b. Gentlemen, i trust that iat our deliberations
here we shall confue ourselves TO one main pur-
pose-that ofredressingJ THE wrong 10 which |
have referred. There is much in the adhiiiistra-
tion of the government (which needs amendment.
Some things need to- DO done, and I6thers TO be
undone. There are commercial and financial
reforms which are indispensable to the public
welfare. Butwe shall not Have ifhe power to
carry out theae nntil rive change the. political
complexion of Congress. Applause.] This
should he our first and our immediate aim GAp-
plause. 1t is in the congressional districts that
the vital contestis to take place; The control
of one body will enable us to prevent partial and
unjust and perntious legislation. The control
of both Houses, with the power 10 Introduce and
carry out salutary reforms; TO bring the govern
ment back, in the language of Jefferson "to the
republican track, will come later, applause ]by
wise, harmonious, and judicious action on our
part and the part of those we represent. .i3 2Li
q That period need not be long delayed 4 'Bec
lieye that pnblie opinion Is ripe, and that II is
only necessary to present to the people clearly
the issues between us and the other party which
controls ithe action of Congress. And, gentle
men, Is not the object for which We are contend.
ing consummation worthy of our highest and
our most devoted elforts2 /, I Applause To
bring back the republic, purified and strength
ened by the fiery. ordeal through which it has
passed, to its ancient prosperity and power. To
present to the world an example worthy of imi-
tation-no utoT ian vision of good government
but the grand old reality Of better times, bring
ing up the memory of our fathers and the recol-
lection Of the past, with the past and the future
inseparably entwined---one country, one fag, one
Union ofequal States Long continued al'-
plause.] .aJ o s.s;. !. i,i -. ."' go. .'d.
+ THE CONVENTION OPENED wIrn PRAYER. F,
General Dix then announced that the proceed
ings would be opened with prayer, and Rev. J.
n. Mcdonald offered prayer, in which thanks
were rendered to God for The blessings which
the nation enjoyed, particularly in having been
preserved in the late troubles, and also for the
public good. lie prayed TINT the members might
lake action rs brothers aud US friends, might lay
aside all selfish and unworthy personal and sec
tional considerations, so that the Union of the
States may be fully restored and rendered per-
petuai. A loud "Amen'' from the delega q tes.
He prayed also that God might manifest His es-
pecial favor on the President Of the United States
and make him great and lasting blessing To the
country. Another loud "Amen."l He next
PRAYED for the maintenance of the Union inviO-
late under the constitution established by our
fathers. art,- .ti Dad.
Rules for the government of the convention
having been adopted, committees on orgauiza-
ion and credentials having been appointed; and
the call for the convention having BEEN read, or
motion of Montgomery Blair an adjournment'was
orlered. @,.- .,,.l.,..-.,