The Baltimore County union. [volume] (Towsontown, Md.) 1865-1909, 1866-10-20

uou - VIC WHOM mat uAAIEt. tie was hcfc the i
day thslr nominaing Conven,ion assembled,
esginesisg he tlckss sslsried and the resolu- |
lions adopted. Ne . one Of the most strenuous
advocates Of " liberal construction - Of our
laws, and, on very late occasion, being asked
how the small handful Of eonserrafirss who had
len the Union party should act. replied tina,
they " would have 10 20 into the Democratic
party" Ilo Is wholly entirely devoted to " Ny
Policy, and u working yalorOusly for the over
throw Of the union party. Let Us see hos his
part actions asrcs with his present attitude.
Nc. RidgeIy was a member Of the Convention
tina, made our present State Constitution, and as
Chairman Of the Ccmmitlec on such Provi.
'' siOns aud ordinances as may he desirable 10
81 carry into effect amendments 10 the Cons,ilu-
d" tiOn," was probably the author Of the dIsquai.
flying clauses Of the Constitution. lie Il was,
doubtless that reported the following section,
which is now part Of the Constitution:
SEcriox 4. No person who has at any time
been in armed hostility 10 the United States, OF
the lawful authorities thereof or who has been
In any manner In the service Of the so-callcd
" Confederate States Of America. and no person
who has voluntarily left this State and gone
within the military lines Of the so-callrd Con-
fedefate States or armies [" with the purpose Of
adhering 10 said States or armies, and no person
who has given any aid comfort. cosHiehaHes or
support TO those engaged IN armed hostility 10
the United States, or In any manner adhered to
the enemies Of the United States. either by con-
tribuiing 10 the enemies Of tile United States, or
unlawiully sending within the lines OF such en-
emics money OF goods. or letters, or informR-
ton, or who has disloyally held communication
with the enemies Of the United States, or who
has advised any person 10 eater the scry.re Of
the said encmirs, or aided any person tofnier.
or who has by any open deed or word declared
his ADHESION 10 the canse Of the enemies OF the
United States, or bis desire for the triumph OF
said enemies over the arms of The United States
shall ever be entitled 10 vote at any election to
be held in this Stale, or 10 hold any oiicc of
honor, profit or trust under the laws OF this
State, unless since such unlawful acts he shall
have Voluntarily entered into the military SER
vice Of the Jniisd States, aud been hOnorably
discharged ihercfrom. or shalt be- ON the DAY Of
election, actually and voluntarily IN such ser
vice. or unless he shall be restored e. lis full
rights Of citizenship by al net u the General As
semhly passed by vote OF two thirds oI al the
members elected TO each House and Il shall be
the duty OF all Officers Of Registration aud Judg-
. of Election carefully to exclude from voting
or being registered, all persons 50 - above dis
qualified and the Judges % Election at the first
election held under this Constitution sha.i. and
a. any subsequent election NAV. administer 20
anV Terson offering 10 vote the following oath or
affirmation : | do swear or affirm that | arr cit.
lien Of the United States. that have never given
any aid, countenance or support 10 those in
armed hostility 10 the United States. that have
never expressed desire fOr the triumph ~ said
rne'nirs over the arms Of the United States, and
that will bear true faith and allegiance 10 ,he
United States and supper; The Constitution and
tia f.tr -
law or ordinance OF any State To the contrary
notwithstanding that will in all respects de-
mean myself as q loyal citizen Of ihe United
States and make this oath or affirmation with
out any reservation or evasion, and believe il 20
be binding on me.
In those days, Mr.. Ridsely seemed 20 recog.
uize higher power than even the registry
law. lie seemed 10 have this idea IN his mind
when he had inserted Ia the Constitution the
clause requiring that it shall be the Duty Of all
oaiccrs 81 RegisiratioR AND JUDGES OF ELEC-
TON CAREFULLY TO ExCtrpE IRON VOTING. on
sriSG REGISTERED" all persons disqualified by
the Constitution lie acted up 10 this belief SO
late as the fall Of lsjj. when Mess-s Emory aud
Grason were the opposing candidat,s for the
jndgeship Of the county. A. the author "
a handful signed Law and Fact, r." b. contend.
cd tina, Mr.. Grason's trial and conviction 81
disloyAiiy oefore the House OF Delegates fore,.r
prevented him from holding any Office and
characterized the action OF the Registers Of the
Ninth District, in registering Mr. Grsson. as b. ~
- 'H,Po'i"i attempt 10 osilyy ne Consiiis,ioa 90
As matter OF reference. We insert this precious
document, oE al Of IL that is material!
"FIEsT.-Mr. Grasons trial and conviction os
dis!oyaliy was had ia pursuance ' special power
conferred by the Constitution on the House Of
Delegates
tSee Constitution, Article ~. Section 81
SEcoSD.-The Record OF tina, Conviction stands
so long as the Constitution stands. and no earth
ly power eau change il except in the mode pre-
scribed by the Constitution, to-wit :-' By
vote Of two-ihirds Of both branches OF the Gener.
al Assembly"
(Sec Constitution, Article /, Section a.
THRD.-This conviction disqualihes him from
voting FAT ANY KLEcTioS 70 ny HELD ~ TINS STATE
on TO HOLD ASY OFFICE OF HONOR, PRoFIr, OR rRrsr
rSpER THE LAWS oF THE STATE. during the con.
tinHance ofthe conviction. His iaeligbli,y to
Office, or his incapaciiy to vote NJ any election
II therefore rs patent as the sun nj noou-iav.
forRfu.-The act OF the Registers " the Ninth
District, in admitting him 10 be registered j. an
impo,en, attempt 10 nullify the Constitution. and
Il a mere act Of error or ignorance. n such IA
act could confer the right OF suffrage upon him,
or render him eligible TO Office, il would he a
virtual abrogalion OF the Constitution The fact
Of bis being registered can no, purge him Of a
Constitutional disability, and the Judges of Elec.
iion, II they true 10 their legal obligations.
are hound 10 reject his vote, II offered
lie, no voter be- misied by the ilimsy and emp
~ parade Of Mr.. Grason's friends. The consii.
tuition Is the highest authority Of law 10 the State
lit defines his political status beyond conroyer-
~ Il depriveshim by viriueof the Judgment o.
condemnation pronounced by the House OF Dele. !
gates 10 pursuance OF authority. Of the right 10
vote or to hold Office in <he State. aud no incon.
sideraie or III advised act OF Board Of Registers
can alter his constitutional disabilities Al vote.
cast for Mr.. GTason are therefore thrown away, !
and might rs well he cast for eolortd man. for
an slien, for . lunatie, or for any individual
specially disqualified by law. In contemplation /,
Of law, there Is really but one candidate for Judge
before the people, viz the Hos. d. e. H. EMORY
LAW AND FACT
Extremes meet" Mr.. Ridgeiy engineered !
the Conservative ticket through, and Is an AZ.
dent supporter 81 President johnson Mr.. Ora. |
son was a member Of the Demoersfe Convention
that mdoTsed the conservative ticket, and praiss.
L" Ny Policy
30 We have been asked the question. how /
many deserlsFs from the United States service |
have been registered In our county 7 Really. we 1
do nnf knnuw Ia, lsnks... ~.