The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1867-04-04
CONsTITUTI0NAL CONyEN
TKOH.
Address 10 the People Of
MARYLAND.

| WAR y iAmds
The undersigned, members Of one Of
the political organizations Of the State,
at the instance Of msuy Of their friends,
are induced TO address brief call TO
the qualified electors Of Maryland.
A bill TO call Convention to frame
new constitution has recently become
law. 1t was reported at an early day
after the meeting Of the General Assem-.
bly,, 70 one Of the branches, and was
finally enacted law. Thesubject has
therefore engaged the public attention
for so long time, that not much is re-
quiiod to be said with view TO appro.
pirate action. Nor is il necessary to
make any detsiled recital of the evils Of
the existing Constitution which require
remedy. A transient glance at its pro-
visions, and recurrence 70 the incou-
yenisnce Of its operation upon very
lurgo number Of the good people of the
State, are Sufficient to demonstrate how
incompatible it is both in design aud
effect, with the recognized object Of a
free representative government.
And il does not consist with the pur.
pose Of this call, to allude to the circum-
stances under which the Convention
which framed it was calledlogether--to
the time when and manner in which
the members of that Convention were
appointed, nor to the proceedings taken
when its adoption in the name of the
people was proclaimed. To do SO would
accomplish no important present good.
whilst it might serve to revive embit.
tered reeollections and subsiding pas
sions.
Yet it suffiees that large majority Of
the qualified electors OF the State passed
upon the subject Of change of the
Constitution at the late election aud re-
quircd Of the members Of the Legisla-
ture that the change should be. IL was
in obedience to this expectation aud re-
quirement that the act for calling .
Convention was passed. Owing to de-
lay IN its passage through one branch
Of the General Assembly; the time pro.
vided therein for the choice of eandi.
dates for the Convention is now brief.
The undersigned therefore, recon-
mend the adoption Of appropriate aud
immediate measures in every county in
the State aud in the city Of Baltimore--
In their seyeal election precincts--to
have the people assemble in peaceful
primary meetings, with view to the
selection OF candidates to the Conven-
tion.
The utmost care and consideration
should be had in the choice of suitable
persons. Personal and partisan parti-
alities should be disregarded, and none
should be chosen as candidates Tor the
Convention but persons Of experience.
wisdom and virtue, who challenge the
resfect and confidence Of all.
These are strange times. To public
affairs, if there is not tendency to dis.
ruption, there are in our midst men
who having no interest in the common
veal, with little to lose and very much
to gain by the result, are engaged IL the
effort to bring on general disorganiza-
ton. Against the machinations ofsuch,
many who by circumstances have seemed
W cooperate woald be glad to be made
secure. The selection Of good men to
Convention ordered BY the I,egisla,
ture, notified by the proper authorities
and conducted according to the forms
of law, would detach such from the for
tunes Of desperate leaders. The high
duty at this time devolves upon us who
may command the services of so many
Of the best men in the State to present
for election TO the Convention none but
those whose characters win make socie-
~ assured OF peace, order and good gov
ernment.
In this connection it may be well to
consult the wisdom and experience Of
the patriot statesmen OF the better days
Of the Republic. MIR. Jefferson in res
pect to the qualification for Office, held
the test % be found in the inquiry, lis
he capabie---is he faithful 7" 70 an-
sWcr ne Is ''cnpGbfe, dad not come up
TO the measure, nor that he il afrfh.
e,yu To 80 ,a;,.,,,.,..1. AL I. -
- "~.ss'.J DDi"i - ~
dispensable 10 full qualification When,
then. in every part Of the StnSe and in