The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1866-03-01
THE REGIsTRY Law.

There Is no political right tdearer 70
American freemen than the right Of
suffrage and none that they would part
with more reluctantly. In view Of this
it seems wonderful that so many should
be debarred from this precious right in
Maryland, by minority as it is gcner-
ally believed, and suffer it 50 patiently.
We have seen aged men, who never
could have it in their hearts to oppose
the government in any way, turned
rudely from the polls; and finally,
through the agency of the Registry Law
we have seen whole party virtually
DISTINGUISHED; yet, whilst fully con-
scious Of the outrage, they have seemed
to regard il as INDUSTRIOUS joke, and to
bear IL even with good humor. The
cause Of this is TO be found in the fact
that had they demanded their just
rights, and showed disposition to en-
force IL, they would have been charged
with intending to aid thepending rebel
lion, and the arm of military power
would have been called in to suppress
them. For this reason, and because
they would do naught that might be
construed into taking sides against the
Government they forbore TO assert their
undoubtcd rights. Besides this, during
the war, civil law was superseded virtu-
ally by the military law, and civil rights
being held in allegiance, the right Of
suffrage was considered of little use.
Taking advantage Of this state of
things, whilst their opponents were
muzzled, or cared not TO interfere for
fear their country might suffer, the par
ty in power went through the solemn
mockery Of adopting new constitution
for the State Of Maryland, in which they
attempted to pcrpctuatc ower in them
selves by cnjoining on the Legislature
to pass Registry Law. Under this
law inquisitorial courts, composed Of
three men Of the right stripe, in every
district and ward, were commissioned ia
try their neighbors' right to vote, aud
TO put questions to discover the most
secret intentions Of the heart, 10 order
to exclude them from the right Of suf.
frage-well knowing that In the slave
holding State Of Maryland there might
be many men who may have been se-
duced into imprndcnt thoughts aud
possibly tho uttcraBce of hard words, on
account Of their dislike Of the principles
Of the party in power.
Under such circumstances il was not
wonderful, after the rejection Of a num-
Der of worthy applicants for registry,
that the mass Of the Democratic party,
and many also oftheir own party, turned
away in disgust, and refused 10 be reg
istercd.
Tho worst feature Of tho case nov is,
that by making il Constitutional pro.
vision, and requiring two thirds Of the
Legislature, elected by the registered
voters, to propose constitutional changes
to be adopted by the same voters, they
have put il into the power Of au unscru-
pulous majority of such voters to pre-.
vent any change according TO the forms
Of law In other words they have lock
cd the door and thrown the key away.
II is true that hree foWyths oflhe Lcgis.
lature to be elected by the same priyi-
legged voters may pardon the disfran-
chised if they pleasej but that i: even
harder to reach than TO change the con
Stitution.
In this state of affairs il has become
serious, not 10 say dangerous matter.
The war is over and men must have
their just rights. We greatly fear that
even the next election can hardly pass
without commotion in some parts of the
State The late Legislature should
have acted more favorably in the mat
ter this winter. There should have
been signs Of returning reason shown.
To quiet the public mind VIC shall ex-
poet 10 sec all the liberal minded men
of the party, this Fall, see to it that
members Of the Legislature are elected
who will be disposed to do Justice in
this behalf They have permitted the
violent to rule them too long; but We
have an abiding confidence that this
state Of affairs is not of the choice Of a
majority Of the registered voters, and
that they will show il this Fall. In the
meantime We say to the disfranehised---
wait aud see.
Periodicals for March.
The OLD GUARD, just received, is
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